Errol Leonard Norstedt (17 June 1948–17 January 2002), better known by his
stage name
A stage name or professional name is a pseudonym used by performers, authors, and entertainers—such as actors, comedians, singers, and musicians. The equivalent concept among writers is called a ''nom de plume'' (pen name). Some performers ...
Eddie Meduza, previously known as E. Hitler, was a
Swedish composer and musician working mainly in the
rockabilly
Rockabilly is one of the earliest styles of rock and roll music. It dates back to the early 1950s in the United States, especially the Southern United States, South. As a genre, it blends the sound of Western music (North America), Western musi ...
genre.
Music career
Themes and behaviour
Many of Meduza's songs are about alcohol, women, and cars, often with
obscene
An obscenity is any utterance or act that strongly offends the prevalent morality of the time. It is derived from the Latin , , "boding ill; disgusting; indecent", of uncertain etymology. Generally, the term can be used to indicate strong moral ...
lyrics. Some songs are politically oriented, with many aimed against the various
Swedish governments in power during his musical career.
One of Meduza's personas was the
vulgar E. Hitler.
[Stefan Johansson's interview with Meduza, Okej 22/1984] In this guise he generally recorded more offbeat recordings like "E.Hitler skiter" (a recording of his own bowel movements) and sexually explicit material. The E. Hitler recordings were only available on
tape by
mail order
Mail order is the buying of goods or services by mail delivery. The buyer places an order for the desired products with the merchant through some remote methods such as:
* Sending an order form in the mail
* Placing an order by telephone call
...
directly from Meduza. On tour, he urged his audience to drink vodka to become as drunk as he was during his performances, to the tune of his "Mera brännvin" ("More booze").
Meduza also recorded serious
rockabilly
Rockabilly is one of the earliest styles of rock and roll music. It dates back to the early 1950s in the United States, especially the Southern United States, South. As a genre, it blends the sound of Western music (North America), Western musi ...
songs with a distinct 1950s flavour in his own studio, called Studio Ronka
(from ''
runka'', Swedish for
male masturbation
Masturbation is a form of autoeroticism in which a person sexually stimulates their own genitals for sexual arousal or other sexual pleasure, usually to the point of orgasm. Stimulation may involve the use of hands, everyday objects, sex toys ...
similar to English ''wank''). He played most of the instruments himself. He often got bad reviews from the press, notably from ''
Expressen
(''The Express'') is one of two nationwide evening newspapers in Sweden. Describing itself as independent liberal, was founded in 1944; its symbol is a wasp and its slogans are "it stings" or " to your rescue".
The newspaper awards the cultu ...
'' journalist
Mats Olsson, to which Meduza replied by writing songs such as "Kuken står på Mats Olsson" ("Mats Olsson has a hard-on"), "Mats Olsson är en jävla bög" ("Mats Olsson is a damn fag") and "Mats Olsson runkar kuken" ("Mats Olsson wanks his cock"). He reportedly said that no matter what he did it was never good enough for the critics.
Meduza is also remembered for the first recorded appearance of future
hair metal
Hair is a protein filament that grows from follicles found in the dermis. Hair is one of the defining characteristics of mammals.
The human body, apart from areas of glabrous skin, is covered in follicles which produce thick terminal and fi ...
guitarist
John Norum
John Terry Norum (born 23 February 1964) is a Norwegian-born Swedish guitarist and one of the founders of the rock band Europe. Concurrent to his role with Europe, he also maintains a career as a solo artist.
Biography
As an infant, Norum moved ...
(
Dokken
Dokken is an American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles in 1978. It split up in 1989 and reformed four years later. The band has had several hit singles which charted on the Billboard Hot 100, such as " Alone Again", " In My Dreams", and ...
,
UFO,
Europe
Europe is a continent located entirely in the Northern Hemisphere and mostly in the Eastern Hemisphere. It is bordered by the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Mediterranean Sea to the south, and Asia to the east ...
), who played on two of his albums. Norum and Meduza wrote the instrumental song "Boyazont" which appeared on Europe's
debut album.
Albums
Errol Norstedts' first album was ''Errol'', released in 1975 under his real name. This album consists mostly of
dansband
(; "dance band"), or in Norwegian and Danish, is a Swedish language, Swedish term for a band that plays (; "dance band music"). ' is often danced to in partner dance, pairs. Jitterbug and foxtrot music are often included in this category. T ...
music, but also includes a humorous song called "Snus-kig Blues" about
snus
Snus (, ; ) is a Swedish smokeless tobacco, tobacco product. It is consumed by placing a pouch of powdered tobacco leaves under the lip for nicotine to be absorbed through the Mucous membrane, oral mucosa. Snus, not to be confused with Nicoti ...
. He began calling himself Eddie Meduza in 1978 with the release of the single "Punkjävlar" ("Punk bastards"). His first album as Eddie Meduza was released in 1979, called ''Eddie Meduza & Roarin' Cadillacs'', mostly consisting of
rock and roll
Rock and roll (often written as rock & roll, rock-n-roll, and rock 'n' roll) is a Genre (music), genre of popular music that evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s. It Origins of rock and roll, originated from African ...
and ballads in English.
In 1980, Meduza released his next album, ''Garagetaper'', with a front cover parodying the cover of
Frank Zappa
Frank Vincent Zappa (December 21, 1940 – December 4, 1993) was an American guitarist, composer, and bandleader. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Zappa composed Rock music, rock, Pop music, pop, jazz, jazz fusion, orchestra ...
's 1979 album ''
Joe's Garage
''Joe's Garage'' is a three-part rock opera released by American musician Frank Zappa in September and November 1979. Originally released as two separate albums on Zappa Records, the project was later remastered and reissued as a triple album ...
''. Meduza's breakthrough came in 1981 with the album ''Gasen I Botten'', which includes some of his more well-known songs such as "Mera Brännvin" and "Volvo".
Alcoholism and death
According to Meduza, he developed alcoholism in the early 1980s during periods of intense touring. In 1981, he was convicted of drink-driving and spent one month in prison. Nevertheless, he continued drinking heavily, and a year after his release, he suffered a nervous breakdown. In 1993 he collapsed on his way to perform at a concert and was diagnosed with
ventricular hypertrophy
Ventricular hypertrophy (VH) is thickening of the walls of a ventricle (lower chamber) of the heart. Although left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is more common, right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH), as well as concurrent hypertrophy of both vent ...
(enlarged heart). He was warned by doctors that he would die if he drank again, and initially made major changes to his lifestyle, stopped drinking and started working out. However, in the late 1990s, suffering a worsening depression, he started drinking heavily again, and this caused his health to deteriorate further. On 17 January 2002, Meduza died of a heart attack at his home in
Småland
Småland () is a historical Provinces of Sweden, province () in southern Sweden.
Småland borders Blekinge, Scania, Halland, Västergötland, Östergötland and the island Öland in the Baltic Sea. The name ''Småland'' literally means "small la ...
in southern Sweden, aged 53. He was cremated and his ashes scattered, in the summer of 2003, outside
Rossö in
Kosterfjorden,
Bohuslän
Bohuslän () is a Provinces of Sweden, Swedish province in Götaland, on the northernmost part of the country's west coast. It is bordered by Dalsland to the northeast, Västergötland to the southeast, the Skagerrak arm of the North Sea to the ...
. He is survived by his wife and children.
Popularity in Mexico
Meduza's song "Reaktorn läck i Barsebäck" ("The reactor leaking in
Barsebäck") from the 1980 album ''Garagetaper'' has become a popular party song in
Mexico
Mexico, officially the United Mexican States, is a country in North America. It is the northernmost country in Latin America, and borders the United States to the north, and Guatemala and Belize to the southeast; while having maritime boundar ...
, under the title "Himno a la banda".
Discography
Albums
* 1975 – Errol
* 1979 – Eddie Meduza & Roarin' Cadillacs
* 1980 – Garagetaper
* 1981 – Gasen I Botten
* 1982 – För Jævle Braa!
* 1982 – 21 Värsta!!!
* 1983 – Dåren É Lös
* 1984 –
West a Fool Away
* 1985 – Ain't Got No Cadillac
* 1986 – Collection (2 LP)
* 1989 – Dom Dåraktigaste Dumheterna Digitalt (Röven 1)
* 1989 – Dom Dåraktigaste Dumheterna Digitalt (Röven 2)
* 1990 – På Begäran
* 1990 – You Ain't My Friend
* 1991 – Collection (CD)
* 1995 – Harley Davidson
* 1997 – Silver Wheels
* 1998 – Värsting Hits
* 1998 – Eddie Meduzas Bästa
* 1999 – Väg 13
* 1999 – Dance Mix
* 1999 – Alla Tiders Fyllekalas Vol. 1
* 1999 – Alla Tiders Fyllekalas Vol. 2
* 1999 – Alla Tiders Fyllekalas Vol. 3
* 2000 – Alla Tiders Fyllekalas Vol. 4
* 2000 – Alla Tiders Fyllekalas Vol. 5
* 2000 – Alla Tiders Fyllekalas Vol. 6
* 2001 – Scoop
* 2001 – Alla Tiders Fyllekalas Vol. 7
* 2001 – Alla Tiders Fyllekalas Vol. 8
* 2001 – Alla Tiders Fyllekalas Vol. 9
* 2002 – Just Like An Eagle
* 2002 – Alla Tiders Fyllekalas Vol. 10
* 2002 – Alla Tiders Fyllekalas Vol. 11
* 2002 – Alla Tiders Fyllekalas Vol. 12
* 2003 – Live(s)! CD+DVD
* 2003 – 100% Eddie Meduza
* 2003 – Live(s)! CD
* 2004 – Rock'n Rebel
* 2005 – Alla Tiders Fyllekalas Vol. 13
* 2005 – Alla Tiders Fyllekalas Vol. 14
* 2005 – Alla Tiders Fyllekalas Vol. 15
* 2005 – Alla Tiders Fyllekalas Vol. 16
* 2005 – Raggare
* 2006 – Dragspelsrock
* 2006 – Dubbelidioterna
* 2010 – Rockabilly Rebel
* 2014 – En Jävla Massa Hits
* 2014 – Jag Och Min Far
(with Anders Norstedt)
* 2016 – The Lost Tape
Cassettes
* 1976 – E. Hitler & Luftwaffe: Mannen Utan Hjärna
* 1977 – E. Hilter & Luftkaffe Nr. 1
* 1977 – E. Hitler & Luftwaffe Nr. 2
* 1979 – E. Hitler & Luftwaffe Nr. 3 Del 1
* 1979 – E. Hitler & Luftwaffe Nr. 3 Del 2
* 1980 – Greatest Hits
* 1983 – Greatest Hits I
* 1983 – Greatest Hits II
* 1983 – Dubbelidioterna
* 1984 – Eddie Meduza Presenterar Lester C. Garreth
* 1985 – Hej Hitler!
* 1985 – Legal Bootleg (cassette box consisting of "Första Försöken", "Fortsättning Följer", "Mera Material", "Svensktoppsrulle", "Fräckisar" and "Bonnatwist")
* 1986 – Raggare
* 1986 – Collection Del 1
* 1986 – Collection Del 2
* 1987 – Greatest Hits
* 1987 – Jag Blir Aldrig Riktigt Vuxen, Jag!
* 1987 – E. Hitler På Dansrotundan
* 1987 – Börje Lundins Julafton
* 1988 – Radio Ronka 1
* 1988 – Börje Lundins Kräftkalas
* 1988 – Dårarnas Julafton
* 1989 – Idiotlåtar
* 1989 – Dårarnas Midsommarafton
* 1990 – Radio Ronka 2
* 1993 – Jubelidioterna
* 1994 – Eddies Garderob
* 1994 – Kräftkalas Två
* 1995 – Hjärndelirium 2000
* 1996 – Radio Abonnerad
* 1996 – Rockligan
* 1996 – Rätt Sorts Råckenråll
* 1996 – Scanaway
* 1996 – God Jul Era Rövhål
* 1997 – Di Värsta Pärvärsta Scetcherna
* 1997 – Di Värsta Pärvärsta Låtarna
* 1997 – Göran Persson Är En Galt
* 1998 – Compendia Ultima (cassette box, consisting of 11 collection cassettes)
Singles
* 1975 – Tretton År / Här Hemma
* 1978 – Punkjävlar / Oh What A Cadillac
* 1979 – Yea Yea Yea / Honey B
* 1979 – Såssialdemokraterna / Norwegian Boogie / Roll Over Beethoven
* 1981 – Volvo / 34:an
* 1981 – Gasen I Botten / Mera Brännvin
* 1982 – Han Eller Jag, Vem Ska Du Ha / Tonight
* 1982 – Jätteparty I Kväll / Tonight
* 1982 – Sverige / Stupid Cupid
* 1983 – Fruntimmer Ska En Ha...
* 1983 – Fruntimmer Ska En Ha... / Han Eller Jag, Vem Ska Du Ha?
* 1983 – Jag Vill Ha En Brud Med Stora Bröst / Leader of the Rockers
* 1983 – Jag Vill Ha En Brud Med Stora Pattar / Leader of the Rockers
* 1984 – Sveriges Kompani (Militärpolka) / Dunder Å Snus
* 1984 – Punkar'n Å Raggar'n / Hej På Dig Evert
* 1984 – Fisdisco / California Sun
* 1985 – The Wanderer / It's All Over Now
* 1988 – Småländsk Sommarnatt / Birds And Bees
* 1990 – Sweet Linda Boogie / Heart Don't Be A Fool
* 2015 – Julesång / Ute På Vischan
* 2016 – Midsommarnatt / Mera Brännvin
Criticism
Eddie Meduza has been criticized for making songs with themes that were inappropriate (e.g. his song "Jag bara runkar"
nglish "I am just jerking off" which led to him getting banned from big newspapers like Aftonbladet.
See also
*
Könsrock
*
List of Swedes in music
External links
Official Web pageEddies himmel
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Meduza, Eddie
1948 births
2002 deaths
Singers from Gothenburg
Swedish male songwriters
Swedish rockabilly musicians
Alcohol-related deaths in Sweden