Norway Mourns the Loss of Lars Martin Myhre, Renowned Musician and Comedian
Tønsberg, Norway – The Norwegian music and entertainment industry is mourning the loss of Lars Martin Myhre, who passed away in the early hours of this morning. Myhre, known for his comedic timing and musical prowess, was 69 years old.
In a statement released on his official Facebook page, Myhre’s family expressed their profound sorrow, "Lars Martin Myhre left us last night, surrounded by his closest family, after a long illness. We have known for a long time that our clever, humorous, and kind father and husband would not live forever. Our world feels emptier now, but he will live on in our lives through all the good memories and his music. We thank everyone for their support during this difficult time and ask for privacy to grieve."
Myhre gained widespread recognition in 1981 when he began his collaboration with Odd Børretzen. Together, they released five albums, introducing Norwegian audiences to a unique blend of comedy and music.
One of Myhre’s most iconic works, "Noen ganger er det all right" (It’s All Right Sometimes), co-written with Børretzen, won the Spellemannprisen (Norwegian Grammy) for Hit of the Year in 1996. The song spent an astonishing 98 weeks on the VG-lista, Norway’s official music chart.
Myhre was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2023. Open about his health struggles, he chose to focus on his passion for creating music. "What do you do when you’re strongly reminded that you’re not immortal?" he pondered in the booklet of his final album, "Lønn," a tribute to his ancestral home in Vivestad. "You record an album," he answered.
Despite his battle with cancer, Myhre released his last album this autumn. In a November interview with Tønsbergs Blad, he expressed his gratitude for the support he received during this challenging time. He described the album as "magic" and praised the musicians and others who helped him bring it to life.
Prior to his collaboration with Børretzen, Myhre performed with various jazz groups from the late 1970s. In 1984, he was honored with the Urijazz Prize in his hometown of Tønsberg.
Norway has lost a true artistic gem, but Myhre’s music and comedy will continue to enrich the lives of those who knew and loved him. His family has requested privacy during this difficult time.
