Kurt Nilsen

Hailing from Bergen, Norway, Kurt Nilsen worked as a plumber while fronting an emerging local rock outfit. His group, initially called Breed, released several singles before adopting the name Fenrik Lane and putting out the Come Down Here EP. That activity predated his 2002 appearance on Norway’s edition of the hit television talent series Pop Idol. The gap-toothed vocalist with the strong voice claimed victory on the program, after which his cover of Tal Bachman’s “She’s So High” achieved ten-times platinum status and became the all-time top-selling single in the country. BMG Norway quickly issued the full-length album I, then dispatched Nilsen to London for the December 2003 staging of World Idol. Eleven national Idol champions faced off in that global contest. Early expectations centered on American contestant Kelly Clarkson and the U.K.’s Will Young, while Nilsen was regarded merely as a possible long-shot. His stirring rendition of U2’s “Beautiful Day,” however, impressed the international judging panel, prompting betting markets abroad to list the Scandinavian vocalist—who was also known as a good-natured plumber, father of two, and former leader of a lively rock band carrying echoes of the Hooters—as a credible contender. On New Year’s Day 2004 he secured 106 votes to Clarkson’s 97 from a maximum total of 112, capturing the World Idol crown and delivering an unexpected holiday gift to his many supporters across Norway.