Vilhjálmur Vilhjálmsson (singer)

Vilhjálmur Hólmar Vilhjálmsson (April 11, 1945 - March 28, 1978) often called Villi Vill was an Icelandic musician and singer. Often called Villi Vill, Vilhjálmur was the brother of the popular Icelandic singer Henný Eldey Vilhjálmsdóttir, better known by her stage name Elly Vilhjálms. Vilhjálmur was known for having a soft voice, perfectly suitable for the popular music at that time in Iceland.

Vilhjálmur was born April 11, 1945 to a musical family. His father and sister were both considered successful musicians. His father’s name was Vilhjálmur Hinrik Ívarsson and his mother´s name was Hólmfríður Magnúsdóttir. Vilhjálmur was born and raised in Merkines, close to the international airport, KEF, in Reykjanes, the peninsula south and west of Reykjavik. Vilhjálmur was the youngest of five siblings. He was often called by his middle name, Hólmar, during childhood. Vilhjálmur did not have much belief in his own musical talent and did not think his path lay in that direction.

In 1961 Vilhjálmur went to school in Akureyri where he studied law but eventually changed his studies to medical studies. Because his sister Elly was a well-known and successful musician, Vilhjálmur was asked by some students to sing in a band. Although Vilhjálmur initially declined, he did eventually join. The group was known as Busabandið which translates to "The Freshmen Band". Vilhjálmur learned to play the double bass while playing with the band.

Vilhjálmur joined Ingimar Eydal’s band in 1965, around the time he finished college. Vilhjálmur made two records with the band in October 1965 and February 1966. He also performed in their first concert in Reykjavík.

Several of Vilhjálmur's songs with Ingimar Eydal’s band became hits. These include the songs Litla sæta ljúfan góða (approximately Little Cutie, Sweet and Kind), Raunsaga (True Story) and Vor í Vaglaskógi (Spring in Vaglaskógur). Vilhjálmur quit the band in 1965 because he wanted to continue his medical studies.

Vilhjálmur also worked with Magnús Ingimarsson and his band in 1964 in order to earn money for his family and to continue school. This band mostly played songs by foreign musicians and translated the texts from English to Icelandic. The band played every night of the week at a restaurant called Röðull. However, they also frequently played on a TV show hosted by Svavar Gestsson. This exposure really helped Vilhjálmur to get noticed.

During the summer of 1970 Vilhjálmur was given the opportunity to record a two-song album for the SG Hljómplötur record label. This was Vilhjálmur’s first solo album and the picture on the cover was taken on his wedding day. The songs on the album were "Hún hring minn ber" (translation: She bears my ring) and "Árið 2012" (translation: The Year 2012), which is the first Icelandic version of the Mexican song La Golondrina.

...
Wikipedia