ACHE Danish Rock Band Historical Picture Gallery 1975 to 1981
Featuring ACHE musicians from 1975 through 1981, presented backwards in time.This web page focuses on the various "periods" and shared music projects of the active ACHE musicians
between 1975 and 1981.
Picture Galleries 1964-1976, 1981-2019, 2019-2022 and 2023 till the present are also available - see links at page bottom.
ACHE Gallery first publicized in Summer, 2022. Narratives, scannings, photo editing & HTML coding by Torsten Olafsson.
LINKS: ACHE's Official Website - ACHE Danish Rock Band at FaceBook - ACHE at Olafssongs Music Publishers
Finn Olafsson's Website - Torsten Olafsson's Website
ACHE Rock Band "Pictures from Cyclus 7" LP logo, 1976, designed by Peder Bundgaard
1981: FINN OLAFSSON's 3rd SOLO ALBUM "ELEMENTS"
Finn Olafsson in the Copenhagen studio Easy Sound, Copenhagen, recording his 3rd solo album "Elements", Spring 1981.
Left: Sound engineer Dave Rideau with Finn Olafsson at the mixing console. Photos by Jan Persson.
Finn Olafsson on the front of the CD "Elements" & Torsten Olafsson
Per Wium, Gert Smedegaard & Steen Toft Andersen
Photos by Jan Persson
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In Finn Olafsson's 2nd printed solo guitar music book, titled "Sologuitar", 1981, now with tablature,
these three acoustic guitar pieces on "Elements" were included: "The Waddling Duckling", "The Rag",
and "Tracery". Two additional pieces, namely "Savannah" and "The Inclination", were included from the Finn's "Savannah" album of 1976. The photo shows Finn Olafsson with his two fantastic New Foundland dogs, "Gina" to the right, and her son "Bumle", left. Photos by Torsten Olafsson. |
1980: FINN OLAFSSON's 2nd Solo Album "ACOUSTIC GUITAR"
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In 1980, all the while he was touring with both ACHE and the singer-songwriter Pia Raug,
Finn Olafsson was invited by Metronome Records to record his first solo steel-string guitar record, titled "Acoustic Guitar".
Recorded with Finn's first C.F. Martin D-45 guitar, "Acoustic Guitar" has become an international acoustic guitar classic and was followed by two more "Acoustic Guitar" solo steel-string albums many years later. Portrait photos by Jan Persson. |
On "Acoustic Guitar", Finn was accompanied by brother Torsten on his tabla drums.
Drawings by Marianne Olafsson
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The "Acoustic Guitar" printed music book was published in 1980 and was the first
of around one hundred printed music books and sheets published by Finn Olafsson's new music publishing company during the 1980s. After a 10-year break during the 1990s, Olafssongs' music book publishing activities were resumed beginning early in the 2000s. 1980 cover photo by Jan Persson. Music engraving by Jørgen Nielsen. Editing and 5-staff draft manuscripts by Finn Olafsson & Torsten Olafsson. |
LATE 1970s: 1980 and The LAST 1970s ACHE CONCERT
ACHE on March 22, 1980 - from the left: Per Wium, Johnnie Gellett, Finn Olafsson, Torsten Olafsson, Gert Smedegaard.
Right: ACHE road manager Bjarne "Eskild" Eskildsen, then active 1978-1980, later again from 2019 and onwards.
Left, Finn Olafsson & Johnnie Gellett - center, Gert Smedegaard - right, Per Wium
ACHE live on stage at the C. Copenhagen venue Saltlageret - "The Salt Warehouse" -
on September 27, 1980 - ACHE's last concert for a number of years to come
1979-1980: THORSTEIN THOMSEN & PER WIUM - TWO ALBUMS
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During the late 1970s, ACHE keyboardist Per Wium partnered with Thorstein Thomsen from the popular Danish band Charlatan Gruppen.
Together they created two albums, the debut album titled "Et ærligt smil" ("An Honest Smile"), the second album titled "To" ("Two"). Beside Per Wium himself, on keys and vocals, the other ACHE musician in the band was Gert Smedegaard playing the drums. |
SUMMER 1979: ACHE with GOOD FRIENDS & Their DEAR BAND BUS "Mrs. LARSEN"
From the left: Holger, Lars, Steen, Gert, Finn, Kirsten, Per - and, squatting: Torsten.
Photo: Bjarne "Eskild" Eskildsen, sound engineer.
1979: The NIS P. JØRGENSEN ALBUM "NIS P. 7-9-13" with TWO ACHE MUSICANS
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Nis P.'s 1979 solo album "7-9-13" especially featured Nis' catchy hit song "Eja, eja"
that made it well in the local Danish European Song Contest. Two active ACHE musicians contributed on that album, namely Per Wium, keyboards, and Gert Smedegaard, on drums. |
1979: The PIA RAUG ALBUM "SAGA", FINN OLAFSSON and The ACHE MUSICIANS
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In 1978, singer Pia Raug enjoyed nationwide succes with her debut album "Hej, lille drøm",
"Hello, Little Dream". An essential contribution to that succes was Finn Olafsson's C.F. Martin D-45 fingerpicked acoustic guitar accompaniment on all the album tracks. Then, in 1979, came the opportunity to create a follow-up, this time with songs all written by Pia Raug, herself, and produced by Finn Olafsson. The musicians chosen to perform the backing were ACHE musicians, like Finn, namely Gert Smedegaard, Per Wium and Torsten Olafson. Recorded in Sweet Silence Studios, the recordings were engineered by Flemming Rasmussen. |
Pia Raug, left, with Finn Olafsson and Torsten Olafsson in Spring, 1979.
Pia and Finn recorded Pia's 2nd solo album "SAGA" in Sweet Silence Studios with Flemming Rasmussen as eminent sound engineer.
Contributing ACHE musicians: Per Wium on keyboards, Gert Smedegaard on drums, Torsten Olafsson on percussion and shakuhachi.
Photo by Bjarne "Eskild" Eskildsen, Spring, 1979.
LATE 1970s: Late 1978 through EARLY 1979
Steen Toft Andersen, Gert Smedegaard, Finn Olafsson, Per Wium, Torsten Olafsson - Press photo
Torsten Olafsson and Steen Toft Andersen on stage at the venue "Den Grå Hal",
"The Gray Hall", Christiania, Copenhagen, in early 1979. Photos by Mikkel Scharff.
ACHE resting in their band bus named "Mrs. Larsen" - 'cause the driver's (also sound engineer's) name was "Lars".
From the left: Torsten, Finn, Lars, Steen, Eskild, Per, NN? - Winter, quite early 1979
Steen Toft Andersen, Lars Mellin, Torsten Olafsson
live on stage at the venue Musikcaféen in Copenhagen, Winter, 1978-79
Finn Olafsson, Gert Smedegaard, Per Wium
Come Summer, 1978, Torsten Olafsson had re-patriated after 18 months of inspiring music and language studies in Kyōto, Japan.
Not long afterwards, he was invited to play the bass with ACHE, one more time ...
Photos from Musikcaféen by Bjarne "Eskild" Eskildsen.
LATE 1970s - Early to mid-1978
ACHE and their beloved band bus Fru Larsen, "Mrs. Larsen", in 1978 - from the left:
Johnnie Gellett, Gert Smedegaard, Finn Olafsson, Steen Toft Andersen, Per Wium
Photo: Mikkel Scharff
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In Summer, 1978, ACHE performed in the Roskilde Festival "Rytmeteltet", "The Rhythm Tent", and the band's dedicated
and always loyal roadie Bjarne "Eskild" Eskildsen was there supporting them.
Left: Roskilde Festival 1978 poster - ACHE performed in the Rock Tent/Rockteltet for the second time. Right: There's "Eskild" - Kaj Højer to the left? - in action behind the stage monitor mixer console during some other rock concert in the Roskilde Festival Rhythm Tent, Summer, 1978. |
ACHE in their newly purchased "Mrs. Larsen" band bus:
Finn, Gert, Steen, Johnnie, Per, early 1978.
Left: Steen Toft Andersen & Johnnie Gellett.
Center: Finn Olafsson with road manager Palle Steen Nygaard in the back, to the left.
Right: Johnnie Gellet, Per Wium & road manager Palle Steen Nygaard in the front.
Steen Toft Andersen, Finn Olafsson & Johnnie Gellett live on stage with ACHE in mid-1978.
1977-1978: The "TANDROCK", "TOOTH ROCK", YOUTH ROCK MUSICAL PROJECT
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In 1977, four ACHE musicians joined innovative school dentist and songwriter Bjarne Nørtov to realize a unique musical for school children
in Ballerup Municipality west of C. Copenhagen: The 'rock opera' "Tandrock", or "Tooth Rock", that communicated to youngsters the importance of careful dental hygiene.
The numerous actors and singers were all pupils at the Ellegård School in Ballerup where ACHE keyboardist Peter Mellin worked as a very popular and inspiring music teacher. ACHE's Finn Olafsson, Peter Mellin, Gert Smedegaard and Steen Toft Andersen formed the core backing group. The album was recorded at the newly established ROC Studios on Amager with Finn Olafsson producing and Mike F. Andreasen as the studio technician. |
1976-1978: The "BLÅ SOM ALTID" ALBUM PERIOD
ACHE in 1977 - from top left: Finn Olafsson, Gert Smedegaard, Per Wium, Steen Toft Andersen, Johnnie Gellett
Photos by Steen Møller Rasmussen
Right: Bjarne "Eskild" Eskildsen, ACHE road manager during the years 1977-1980, and again in 2022
Finn Olafsson live on stage with ACHE. Photo by Bjarne "Eskild" Eskildsen, road manager
When, in 1977, the album "Blå som altid", "Blue as Always", was recorded, the musician line-up was as follows:
Finn Olafsson - at that time the only original ACHE band member left - on guitars/vocals
Gert Smedegaard on drums
Per Wium on keyboards, vocals
Steen Toft Andersen on bass, vocals
Johnnie Gellett on lead vocal, backing guitar & percussion
Contrasting with previous ACHE and ACHE-related albums,
song lyrics were now written in the band's native, Danish language.
The "Blå som altid" album has not yet been digitally re-released because of master rights restrictions.
Left: Sound engineer Lars Mellin & stage lights designer Gunnar Hovgaard, 1977.
Right: Drummer Gert Smedegaard & road manager/percussion player Palle Steen Nygaard, 1977.
Right photo by Bjarne "Eskild" Eskildsen.
1977: SONGWWITER THORSTEIN THOMSEN & CHARLATAN GRUPPEN
"Glimt fra Verners Verden", "Glimpses of Verner's World", album project
with STEEN TOFT ANDERSEN, PER WIUM & GERT SMEDEGAARD
All the time while ACHE were really busy on the road themselves, performing,
ACHE musicians also participated in other creative music projects together with good musician friends.
Top, 3rd from the left: Gert Smedegaard, drums. Below, 1st from the left: Steen Toft Andersen, bass guitar.
Below, 1st from the right: Per Wium, keyboards.
1977: ANDREW JOHN & LIZZA - "OLD FRIENDS, NEW FRIENDS"
with STEEN TOFT ANDERSEN, GERT SMEDEGAARD & FINN OLAFSSON
| ACHE musicians have very often contributed as sidemen with other artists and music groups, like for example in 1977, when bassist Steen Toft Andersen and drummer Gert Smedegaard - assisted by Finn Olafsson on guitar - acted as the steady rhythm group for the duo Andrew John & Lissa on their album "Old Friends, New Friends". |
ACHE CONCERT POSTERS 1976
ACHE related concert posters, 1976:
Left: ACHE Booking Agency standard concert poster - Center: Roskilde Festival 1976,
ACHE perform in the "Rock Tent", Danish: "Rock Telt"
Right: "Pictures From Cyclus 7" ACHE concert poster
Source, online poster collection by Claus Rasmussen, Denmark: https://koncertplakater.melipona.org/plakateralle/ &
http://koncertplakater.melipona.org/index2.html?fbclid=IwAR2ENz9uL5Ue1bIJF3AvHlv-S1EBfQTyTjomhnxQlD9jSLsY1iHu8wNYYcU
ACHE - The NEW LINE-UP since LATE SUMMER, 1976
ACHE, mid-1976 - Top, from the left: Johnnie Gellett, lead vocals, guitar, percussion - Per Wium, Hammond organ, keyboards.
Below, from the left: Steen Toft Andersen, el. bass - Gert Smedegaard, drums - Finn Olafsson, lead el. guitars.
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After Peter Mellin had recorded the ACHE album "Pictures from Cyclus 7" in early 1976 and his composition "Majestætens Marionetter",
"The Majesty's Puppets", for the "free city" "Christiania" support album in early Summer, 1976, he then made up his his mind to leave ACHE
to start primary school teacher studies - to become and practice as a specialized music teacher as his professional life career.
Replacing Peter Mellin on the Hammond organ and keyboards now entered Per Wium, till then a routined member of C.V. Jørgensen's band. Together, the five ACHE musicians now started extensive live concert activities while preparing for the next ACHE release, titled "Blå som altid", "Blue as Always", that was eventually released in 1977. |
1976: FINN OLAFSSON's 1st SOLO ALBUM "SAVANNAH"
Finn Olafsson's 1st electric/acoustic guitar solo album titled "Savannah", 1976
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When, in the Summer of 1976, Finn Olafsson succeded in realizing his desire to create
a music album "entirely of his own making", the stage was set in the brand new ROC Studios
on the South Copenhagen island of Amager where Finn grew up since his birth in 1953.
Finn engaged a handful of his good ACHE musician friends who had previously that same year recorded the ACHE album "Pictures from Cyclus 7" with music composed by Peter Mellin and lyrics in English by the Danish poet/writer Bo Lillesøe: Johnnie Gellett, vocals, Gert Smedegaard, drums, and Steen Toft Andersen, bass. Besides, Finn was also joined by Nis P. Jørgensen on various flutes, as well as his older brother, Torsten Olafsson - ACHE's original bass player - on the vibraphone, tabla, percussion and backing vocals. Torsten was otherwise well on his way to soon moving to Kyōto in Japan to study Japanese culture, language, philosophy and shakuhachi flute music there. |
1976: "MAJESTÆTENS MARIONETTER" - "The Majesty's Puppets"
- ACHE's 1st TRIBUTE to the "Free City" CHRISTIANIA in COPENHAGEN
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In mid-1976, ACHE was commissioned to contribute with a song to an LP album, titled "Christiania", that was produced in support of the alternative, "free" city of that same name.
"Majestætens Marionetter", "The Majesty's Puppets", represents the very first publicized ACHE recording with lyrics written in the Danish language, words composed by then ACHE bass player Steen Toft Andersen. |
1975-1976: The "PICTURES FROM CYCLUS 7" ALBUM PERIOD
ACHE 1976 from the left: Gert Smedegaard, Finn Olafsson, Steen Toft Andersen, Per Wium, Stig Kreutzfeldt, Johnnie Gellett
Photo by Mikkel Scharff
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Composer and keyboardist Peter Mellin & lyricist Bo Lillesøe's "Pictures from Cyclus 7" concept LP album,
recorded in early 1976 at the Rosenberg Studios in Copenhagen.
Nils Henriksen acted as the producer in charge, Freddy Hansson as the engineer, while Finn Olafsson contributed as organizer, musical co-arranger & executive producer. Two original ACHE musicians participated in this project, namely: Finn Olafsson & Peter Mellin. First released in Spring 1976, the album was re-released on CD by Green Tree Records in Germany in 2004. Again, in 2016, SONY Music Denmark re-released "Pictures from Cyclus 7", digitally remastered, on the internet. |
"Pictures from Cyclus 7" was recorded in the Rosenberg Studio in Copenhagen, early 1976.
Producer: Nils Henriksen. Executive producer & arranger: Finn Olafsson. Engineer: Freddy Hansson.
From the left: Peter Mellin, Finn Olafsson, Gert Smedegaard.
ACHE 1976 live on stage in Atlantic Bio, Christianshavn Square, S. Copenhagen, Spring 1976.
From the left: Finn Olafsson, Johnnie Gellett, Gert Smedegaard
Stig Kreutzfeldt, Steen Toft Andersen, Peter Mellin.
In early 1976, ACHE records the album "Pictures from Cyclus 7" at Rosenberg Studio in Copenhagen.
Left: Sound Engineer Freddy Hansson. Right: Guitarist Finn Olafsson, drummer Gert Smedegaard,
singer Stig Kreutzfeldt, bass player Steen Toft Andersen
Re-formed ACHE in Summer and Fall, 1975:
Band from the top, left: Gert Smedegaard, Steen Toft Andersen & Johnnie Gellett, Peter Mellin, Finn Olafsson, "Zeus".
Right: Steen Toft Andersen, Peter Mellin.
ACHE PICTURE GALLERIES 1964 and on ... - LINKS
ACHE HISTORICAL PICTURE GALLERY 1964 to 1976:
ACHE HISTORICAL PICTURE GALLERY 1975 to 1981:
ACHE HISTORICAL PICTURE GALLERY 1981 to 2019:
ACHE HISTORICAL PICTURE GALLERY 2019 to 2022:
ACHE HISTORICAL PICTURE GALLERY 2023 and on ...:
