Bert Karlsson
Encyclopedia
Bert Willis Karlsson is a Swedish
record company manager, entrepreneur
, former politician
(Member of Parliament
1991-1994) and front figure of the New Democracy
(Ny Demokrati) party.
As the owner and manager of the record company Mariann Grammofon AB
, Karlsson became a familiar face to the Swedish public as the man behind Carola Häggkvist
. In 1984 he started Skara Sommarland
, a theme park.
In 1991, Karlsson and count Ian Wachtmeister
started the populist
political party New Democracy. Attracting major media attention, and with a patriotic platform, the party received 6.7 percent of the vote in the parliamentary election in September. With no previous political experience, Karlsson suddenly found himself elected to the Riksdag
as a Member of Parliament
.
When New Democracy imploded due to internal struggles and failed in the 1994 parliamentary election Karlsson went back to being a full-time businessman. He has started the popular Swedish reality television
show Fame Factory, (a programme somewhat similar to the British show Pop Idol
), in which he plays an important role. Many Mariann artists have entered Melodifestivalen
, the Swedish qualifications for the Eurovision Song Contest
. From 1978 to 2005 approximately 120 songs from Karlsson's record company have been competing, and 14 have gone on to represent Sweden in the European Song contest. Mariann artists include Herreys
and Charlotte Perrelli
, who went on to win the European competition.
In March 2005, Karlsson filled out an application for membership in the Liberal People's Party
during a television interview. When the party immediately responded with criticism of him, calling the move a media stunt, he did not go through with his application.
During spring 2007 Karlsson was a judge for a new TV show called "Talang 2007" on TV4, the Swedish version of America's Got Talent
. He was also a judge on Talang 2008 and is currently a judge on Talang 2009 the shows third season.
article on Karlsson and Melodifestivalen
. "Här blir Bert folkpartist" 30 March 2005 Aftonbladet
article on Karlsson's membership application to the Liberal People's Party
. Liberal People's Party press release - 30 March 2005 press release from the Liberal People's Party following Karlsson's statements. "Bert Karlsson ville bli folkpartist – men nekades" - 30 March 2005 Aftonbladet
article on Karlsson's reaction to the party press release.
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
record company manager, entrepreneur
Entrepreneur
An entrepreneur is an owner or manager of a business enterprise who makes money through risk and initiative.The term was originally a loanword from French and was first defined by the Irish-French economist Richard Cantillon. Entrepreneur in English is a term applied to a person who is willing to...
, former politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
(Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
1991-1994) and front figure of the New Democracy
New Democracy (Sweden)
New Democracy was a political party in Sweden, founded in 1991 and elected into the Swedish Parliament in its first election, falling equally fast out again in 1994....
(Ny Demokrati) party.
As the owner and manager of the record company Mariann Grammofon AB
Mariann Grammofon AB
Mariann Grammofon AB, formed in 1972, is a record label run by Bert Karlsson in Skara, Sweden. Since 2006 the label is owned by Warner Music Group.-Signed artists and groups:*Afro-Dite*Alf Robertson*Anders Johansson*Andrés Esteche*Barbados*Casanovas...
, Karlsson became a familiar face to the Swedish public as the man behind Carola Häggkvist
Carola Häggkvist
Carola Maria Häggkvist , better known as simply Carola, is a Swedish singer and occasional songwriter. She has been among Sweden's most popular performers since the early 1980s, and has released albums ranging from pop and disco to hymns and folk music...
. In 1984 he started Skara Sommarland
Skara Sommarland
Skara Sommarland is a amusement park located 8km east of Skara. It was founded in 1984 by Swedish entrepreneur Bert Karlsson. The park attracts 350,000 visitors annually.-Former attractions:-External links:**...
, a theme park.
In 1991, Karlsson and count Ian Wachtmeister
Ian Wachtmeister
Count Ian Melcher Shering Wachtmeister is a Swedish industrialist and politician. He was a member of the Swedish parliament from 1991 to 1994. He is the son of Count Ted Wachtmeister and Adrienne, née De Geer....
started the populist
Populism
Populism can be defined as an ideology, political philosophy, or type of discourse. Generally, a common theme compares "the people" against "the elite", and urges social and political system changes. It can also be defined as a rhetorical style employed by members of various political or social...
political party New Democracy. Attracting major media attention, and with a patriotic platform, the party received 6.7 percent of the vote in the parliamentary election in September. With no previous political experience, Karlsson suddenly found himself elected to the Riksdag
Parliament of Sweden
The Riksdag is the national legislative assembly of Sweden. The riksdag is a unicameral assembly with 349 members , who are elected on a proportional basis to serve fixed terms of four years...
as a Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
.
When New Democracy imploded due to internal struggles and failed in the 1994 parliamentary election Karlsson went back to being a full-time businessman. He has started the popular Swedish reality television
Reality television
Reality television is a genre of television programming that presents purportedly unscripted dramatic or humorous situations, documents actual events, and usually features ordinary people instead of professional actors, sometimes in a contest or other situation where a prize is awarded...
show Fame Factory, (a programme somewhat similar to the British show Pop Idol
Pop Idol
Pop Idol is a British television series which debuted on ITV on 6 October 2001. The show was a talent contest to decide the best new young pop singer in the United Kingdom, based on viewer voting and participation. Two series were broadcast - one in 2001-02 and a second in 2003...
), in which he plays an important role. Many Mariann artists have entered Melodifestivalen
Melodifestivalen
Melodifestivalen is an annual music competition organised by Swedish public broadcasters Sveriges Television and Sveriges Radio . It determines the country's representative for the Eurovision Song Contest, and has been staged almost every year since 1959...
, the Swedish qualifications for the Eurovision Song Contest
Eurovision Song Contest
The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual competition held among active member countries of the European Broadcasting Union .Each member country submits a song to be performed on live television and then casts votes for the other countries' songs to determine the most popular song in the competition...
. From 1978 to 2005 approximately 120 songs from Karlsson's record company have been competing, and 14 have gone on to represent Sweden in the European Song contest. Mariann artists include Herreys
Herreys
Herreys, or Herrey's, is a Swedish pop group, consisting of the three Mormon brothers Per Herrey , Richard Herrey and Louis Herrey . They won the Eurovision Song Contest 1984 with the song "Diggi-Loo Diggi-Ley". In 1985, they won the Sopot International Song Festival with "Sommarparty på Stranden"...
and Charlotte Perrelli
Charlotte Perrelli
Charlotte Perrelli is a Swedish singer and occasional television host, perhaps most famous for winning the 1999 Melodifestivalen and subsequently that year's Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Take Me to Your Heaven."Since then she has released six singles and five albums...
, who went on to win the European competition.
In March 2005, Karlsson filled out an application for membership in the Liberal People's Party
Liberal People's Party (Sweden)
The Liberal People's Party is a political party in Sweden. The party advocates social liberalism and is part of the governing centre-right coalition The Alliance, which achieved a majority in the general election of 17 September 2006...
during a television interview. When the party immediately responded with criticism of him, calling the move a media stunt, he did not go through with his application.
During spring 2007 Karlsson was a judge for a new TV show called "Talang 2007" on TV4, the Swedish version of America's Got Talent
America's Got Talent
America's Got Talent is an American reality television series on the NBC television network, and part of the global British Got Talent franchise. It is a talent show that features singers, dancers, magicians, comedians, and other performers of all ages competing for the advertised top prize of...
. He was also a judge on Talang 2008 and is currently a judge on Talang 2009 the shows third season.
External links
Mariann Grammofon - Official page "Storskalig attack gör Bert Karlsson till vinnare" - 5 March 2005 Dagens NyheterDagens Nyheter
is a daily newspaper in Sweden. It has the largest circulation of Swedish morning newspapers, followed by Göteborgs-Posten and Svenska Dagbladet, and is the only morning newspaper that is distributed to subscribers across the whole country. In 2009 DN had a circulation of 316,000, reaching 881...
article on Karlsson and Melodifestivalen
Melodifestivalen
Melodifestivalen is an annual music competition organised by Swedish public broadcasters Sveriges Television and Sveriges Radio . It determines the country's representative for the Eurovision Song Contest, and has been staged almost every year since 1959...
. "Här blir Bert folkpartist" 30 March 2005 Aftonbladet
Aftonbladet
Aftonbladet is a Swedish tabloid founded by Lars Johan Hierta in 1830 during the modernization of Sweden. It is one of the larger daily newspapers in the Nordic countries. Aftonbladet is owned by the Swedish Trade Union Confederation and Norwegian media group Schibsted, and its editorial page...
article on Karlsson's membership application to the Liberal People's Party
Liberal People's Party (Sweden)
The Liberal People's Party is a political party in Sweden. The party advocates social liberalism and is part of the governing centre-right coalition The Alliance, which achieved a majority in the general election of 17 September 2006...
. Liberal People's Party press release - 30 March 2005 press release from the Liberal People's Party following Karlsson's statements. "Bert Karlsson ville bli folkpartist – men nekades" - 30 March 2005 Aftonbladet
Aftonbladet
Aftonbladet is a Swedish tabloid founded by Lars Johan Hierta in 1830 during the modernization of Sweden. It is one of the larger daily newspapers in the Nordic countries. Aftonbladet is owned by the Swedish Trade Union Confederation and Norwegian media group Schibsted, and its editorial page...
article on Karlsson's reaction to the party press release.