Kjell Arnesen, known as the keyboardist in the beloved band Unit Five, has died.
Hammerfest and large parts of northern Norwegian music scene is in mourning.
– The is sad that he has passed away. I think the whole town and all of North Norway and large parts of the country seem, says hammerfest Mayor Alf E. Jakobsen to Nordlys.
One of Arnesen’s best friends, Tom “Dali” Hermo, informs Nordlys that Arnesen was found dead on holiday in Gran Canaria 1. Christmas Day.
played free
Alf Jakobsen got the message about the death in the afternoon 1. Christmas Day.
– Kjell I’ve known all these years. He was a guy we are very proud of Hammerfest. After the most active period in Unit Five was over, he spent a lot of time playing around in a nursing home, volunteer center and in many other contexts completely free. He was a well-known guy in the cityscape of Hammerfest, says Alf E. Jakobsen.
He also draws Unit Fives role in the city:
– They did many many hammerfest Varings proud and market led us in a good way.
Arnesen was also active in Hammerfest Labour Party.
– He stood at the latest at the last election campaign, and lined up in different contexts, says Jakobsen.
Should drive with music
Arnesen will be the fourth Unit Five -medlemmet that goes away early in life.
The death takes place barely three years after Tore Hansen, lead singer of the Unit Five, in February 2013 passed away after prolonged cancer.
In 2003, died Unit Five guitarist Tore “Totto” Knudsen, while drummer Rune Akselsen passed away in 2007.
Labor politician Tom “Dali” Hermo mourn the loss of his friend.
– We were blood brothers, Kjell and I. He was a wonderful man who Hammerfest and Finnmark going to miss, says Hermo.
BLOOD BROTHERS: Tom “Tommen Hermo (left) was one of Kjell Arnesen’s best friends. Here they are together with Kurt Methi (right) during a Labour Party event during the campaign this year.
Big heart
Along with his wife Tove Pedersen got Arnesen including Hammerfest Culture Award in 2013 for her efforts including all free concerts he held for the elderly and disabled.
– He had a big heart for all people, including those who have not had it good, says Hermo.
Arnesen got his first political office in the fall, as the first deputy of the council for the disabled Hammerfest.
– He was very politically engaged, and in particular he was very concerned about the weak. It was hjertesak his. He was both engaged locally, while he wanted a better world. He said happily things came straight from the heart, unlike many other politicians.
Also Arnesens artist friend ketil stokkan received the sad news 1. Christmas Day.
“I visited his grave to Rune together with Kjell in January 2014. Kjell early retirement to compose music during a warmer sky – but then he was also picked up, perhaps to play – or rest – along with Tore (Hansen) and Rune (Akselsen) … under the stars. What do we? Just sad that Kjell left us much too early. My condolences to Tove and sons Kim and Chris, “writes Stokkan in a text message to Nordlys.
CONCERT: Here’s Kjell Arnesen (right) along with the rest of Unit Five during a concert in Hammerfest in 2005. To the left mayor Alf Jakobsen. (Photo: Bjørn Egil Jakobsen )
Started in 1970
Unit Five was started in 1970 under the name Tass and changed name in 1975 to Unit Four – later Unit Five when vocalist and songwriter Tore Hansen returned to the band.
In the period 1978 to 1982, they released five albums and was known for songs like “Nordlending,” “On opposite sides of the country” and “Ængel with skit on vingan.” The band sold over 250,000 albums.
In 2001, the Unit Five reunited. Since then they have released two albums.
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