Following Johnny Madsen's death in autumn 2024, Danish rock music lost one of its most original and iconic voices. Madsen's distinctive image – marked by cigarettes, alcohol, unwashed hair and sharp, humorous wit – concealed an artist with a unique vocal identity and deep lyrical sensitivity. His music was rooted in nature poetry and the region around Thyborøn on Denmark's west coast.
This musical lecture explores the life behind the legend and the work behind the myth. Through conversations with Madsen's close friend and musical colleague Lars Lilholt – who performed alongside him in the trio formation Dalton – a nuanced portrait of both the man and the artist emerges.
Lecturer: Esben Strunk, born 1980, is a journalist, author and holds a cand.mag. degree in literary history. He has been associated with the music magazine GAFFA for many years.
