Bjørn Eidsvåg

Bjørn Eidsvåg is a Norwegian singer-songwriter and ordained Lutheran priest, born in Sauda in 1954, widely known in Norway as «rockepresten» — the rock priest. He trained in theology at the Free Faculty of Theology (Menighetsfakultetet) in Oslo before building one of the most enduring careers in Norwegian popular music, releasing his debut album «Inn for landing» in 1976 and going on to record more than 25 studio albums.

His songwriting blends rock and pop with folk-inflected melodies and lyrics that draw on Christian faith, compassion and human connection, delivered in an intimate, conversational Norwegian that has made his songs resonate far beyond a strictly religious audience. Alongside his own recordings, he has written extensively for other Norwegian artists and served on the boards of organizations including GRAMO, NOPA, TONO and the Norwegian Artists' Union.

His honors include four Spellemannprisen awards from fifteen nominations, among them Norway's Artist of the Year in 1997, as well as the Gammleng Prize and honorary awards from the Norwegian Artists' Union and the Norwegian Society of Composers and Lyricists. In 2016 he also starred in the theatrical production «Etterlyst: Jesus» at Det Norske Teatret, reflecting the same themes of faith and humanity that have run through his music for decades.