Geir Rönning

Early Career in Norway

Geir Rönning was born in Ålesund, Norway in 1962. He started making music at a young age, learning guitar and singing in church. In the 1980s he moved to Oslo and later to Stockholm to pursue a singing career. By the mid-1990s, he was participating in Norway’s national song contest, Melodi Grand Prix, as a songwriter and performer. He released his first album Første gang (“First Time”) in 1996.

Move to Finland and Music Career

In 2000, Rönning relocated to Finland to further his career. He became the lead singer of a Finnish rock ’n’ roll band that included a guitarist from the famous Leningrad Cowboys. He performed actively in Finland and also toured internationally. Rönning entered Finland’s Eurovision selection (Euroviisut) several times. He finished third in the 2002 Finnish finals and fifth in 2004. These early successes in Finland built his reputation and set up his big break.

Eurovision Song Contest 2005

In 2005, Geir Rönning achieved his biggest spotlight. He won Finland’s national Eurovision selection with the powerful ballad “Why?”. The song, inspired by a school tragedy, showcased his strong vocals. This victory earned him a spot at the Eurovision Song Contest 2005 in Kyiv. Rönning performed on the Eurovision stage to a huge live audience. However, “Why?” finished 18th in the semi-final and did not reach the final. Despite this outcome, his Eurovision appearance brought him wide recognition in Finland and Norway.

Other Competitions and Shows

Rönning continued competing in the years after Eurovision. In 2006, he returned to Norway’s Melodi Grand Prix with a duet called “Lost and Found” with Jorun Erdal. They reached the Norwegian final, placing fourth. He also attempted another Eurovision bid in Finland in 2010, but his song “I Hate Myself for Loving You” was eliminated in the semi-finals. The same year, Rönning appeared on Sweden’s TV talent show Idol 2010, finishing seventh in that competition.

Musical Theater and TV Work

Beyond pop music, Geir Rönning has also worked in musical theater and television. In 2009, he made his musical theater debut in PlayMe at the Swedish Theatre in Helsinki. A few years later, he starred in the musical Fighting Star in Vaasa in 2013–2014. These roles showed his versatility as a performer. Rönning has also been featured on Finnish television in music programs and concerts. For example, he was the subject of a televised unplugged concert at Helsinki’s Alexander Theater on Yle TV. He also performed the official anthem “Champions of the Day” at the opening of the 2009 Women’s European Football Championship in Helsinki.

Music Releases and Recent Activities

Over his career, Rönning has released several albums, including Første gang (1996), Ready for the Ride (2005), and Bare du som vet (2008). In 2016, he released a Swedish-language album called Längtan (“Longing”). In recent years, Geir Rönning has remained active in music. In 2022, he performed as a guest vocalist with the Finnish rock band One Desire, singing their song “Hurt” with a live orchestra. This concert was broadcast on Yle TV and later released as a live album in 2023. Today, Rönning continues to perform and create new music, and he lives in Finland with a loyal fan base in both Finland and Norway.