SØRLANDSPIKENE

THE HELGESEN SISTERS

“ SØRLANDSPIKENE”

Do you remember some nice, singing girls who were living in the southern part of Norway and famous during the fifties? Do you remember the songs: An evening in St.Pauli, or All Rocky Mountains stars, or Jonathan , or Violetta, or A Song about Tahiti? Just to mention some of the songs known among people for about fifty years ago in Norway.

The number of people who made a living working within the light entertainment industry in Norway after the Second World War was not many. “ Sørlandspikene” became famous after having taking part in an amateur contest called: “ Med lys og lykte “. The name of the  attractive sisters were: Thordis, Svanhild og Rigmor Helgesen. Singing was a major activity for the sisters already at an early age. They grew up in the city of Kristiansand situated at the southern part of Norway. The most popular radio reporter in Norway during the fifties, Rolf Kirkevaag, discovered the sisters. A contract was signed with the company, ODEON, for recordings of songs. Norwegian sailors were to be found all over the world. Romatic songs about the lonely sailors were popular songs at the time.

When the recordings of new songs were finished once and for all, they went on with local performances singing for people. They travelled around in the country too performing, singing romantic songs for the audience. In 1974 they participated in a television program produced by Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK) singing the song: “ An evening in St.Pauli – En aften i St.Pauli “. The title of the program was: “ Husker du “- ( Do you remember?). You find the performance on “ YouTube”.

Svanhild Johansen to the right in the photo. Rigmor Falla is the second lady from right. The photo is taken in 1974.

 The year is 2017.Aging in body but not in mind: The sisters, Thordis and Rigmor are still active. Svanhild Johansen died in December 2017, and the burial took place December 28 at the City of Tønsberg, Norway.