Jónsi

Jón Jósep Snæbjörnsson, better known by his nickname Jónsi, is an Icelandic singer who has twice represented Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest. (He is not to be confused with the Jónsi from the band Sigur Rós.) Born in 1977, Jónsi rose to fame as the lead vocalist of the pop-rock band Í Svörtum Fötum and went on to have a vibrant career in music, theater, and even television. He is celebrated in Iceland for his powerful voice and was voted one of the country’s most popular male singers in the early 2000s. 

Early Life and Band Beginnings

Jón Jósep Snæbjörnsson was born on June 1, 1977, in Akureyri, a town in northern Iceland. In 1997, as a young man, he moved to Iceland’s capital Reykjavík to pursue a music career. There, opportunity quickly knocked – in 1998 he joined a group of musician friends who were forming a new band. This band came to be known as Í Svörtum Fötum, which means “In Black Clothing” in Icelandic. The group made their debut on January 1, 1999, performing in their signature sharp black suits and ties.

Jónsi and his bandmates achieved their first breakthrough in spring 2001 with the single “Nakinn” (“Naked”). The song became a hit in Iceland, reaching #2 on the national charts and earning the band widespread recognition in their home countryg. This early success put Í Svörtum Fötum on the map and marked Jónsi as a rising star in the Icelandic music scene.

Band Success and Musical Theatre

Following the success of their first single, Í Svörtum Fötum signed a major four-album recording deal with the Skífan record label in September 2001. The band was known for energetic live shows and a busy touring schedule, which helped them grow a dedicated fan base. In 2002, they released their self-titled second album Í svörtum fötum. The album was a commercial triumph – it went gold in Iceland and earned positive reviews. Building on that momentum, the band put out a third album in 2003 titled Tengsl, which brought them even greater acclaim. By this time, Jónsi’s powerful rock vocals and the band’s catchy pop-rock style had made them one of Iceland’s most popular groups.

Jónsi’s talent earned him critical accolades during these years. In 2003, he was nominated for Vocalist of the Year at the Icelandic Music Awards, recognizing his standout performances on Tengsl. He also repeatedly won honors like “Male Vocalist of the Year” and “Best Live Performer” in listener polls on local radio, reflecting his popularity with the Icelandic public. These awards highlighted Jónsi’s status as one of the top male vocalists in Iceland at the time.

Beyond recording and touring with the band, Jónsi expanded his creative repertoire into musical theater. In late 2003, he took on the lead role of Danny Zuko in the Icelandic stage production of the musical Grease. He starred opposite Birgitta Haukdal who played Sandy. Their production of Grease became a massive hit – it was praised as one of Iceland’s most successful theater shows. Jónsi’s performance demonstrated his versatility, proving that he could command the stage not only as a rock frontman but also as a musical actor. 

Eurovision Song Contest 2004 – Heaven

By 2004, Jónsi’s booming voice and string of hits at home led to an opportunity on the international stage. In 2004, Jón Jósep Snæbjörnsson – Jónsi – was selected to represent Iceland at the Eurovision Song Contest held in Istanbul, Turkey. He competed with the uplifting pop-rock ballad “Heaven.” 

Despite a strong performance, “Heaven” finished 19th in the grand final of Eurovision 2004. The contest in 2004 was a valuable experience for Jónsi as a solo artist, marking his first appearance on one of the world’s biggest music stages. It also solidified his status as a household name in Iceland.

Following Eurovision 2004, Jónsi continued to build on his musical career. In 2005, he released his debut solo album, titled Jónsi. This album allowed him to step out beyond the band and further showcase his voice with his own material. The record included pop-rock songs in Icelandic and English and was well-received by his fans. Jónsi’s venture into a solo career demonstrated his ability to succeed outside the framework of Í Svörtum Fötum.

National Selections and Collaborations

In the years after his first Eurovision appearance, Jón Jósep Snæbjörnsson remained active in Iceland’s music scene. He collaborated with many of Iceland’s top musicians on various projects, expanding his repertoire. For example, he sang duets and appeared on other artists’ records, and often performed at concerts and events featuring well-known Icelandic singers. 

Jónsi also attempted to return to Eurovision. In 2007, he entered Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins 2007, the Icelandic national selection competition for Eurovision. He performed a romantic pop song titled “Segðu mér” (“Tell Me”). Despite his popularity, Jónsi did not manage to win the national final that year. This was a setback, but he remained determined and kept refining his craft. During the late 2000s, Jónsi balanced his time between continuing performances with Í Svörtum Fötum (which released additional albums in 2004 and 2006) and pursuing solo opportunities. By this time, Í Svörtum Fötum was a well-established band in Iceland, and Jónsi was equally recognized as a solo singer.

Outside of pop music, Jónsi even lent his talents to television and film. In 2004, he contributed vocals to the popular Icelandic children’s TV show LazyTown, singing its catchy opening theme song. He also had a small acting role in an Icelandic comedy film: Jónsi appeared as a supporting character in the movie Eleven Men Out (2005). 

Eurovision Comeback in 2012 – Never Forget

Jónsi’s Eurovision journey took a very exciting turn in the early 2010s. A few years after his first attempt, he made a grand comeback to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2012. This time, Jónsi returned as part of a duo, teaming up with Icelandic singer-songwriter Greta Salóme. Together they performed the dramatic duet “Never Forget”, known in Icelandic as “Mundu eftir mér.” The pair entered Söngvakeppnin 2012. Their performance – featuring Greta’s violin and Jónsi’s soaring vocals – won the competition, earning them the ticket to represent Iceland on the international Eurovision stage.

At the Eurovision Song Contest 2012, Greta Salóme and Jónsi delivered an unforgettable performance of “Never Forget” during the first semi-final in Baku. They successfully qualified from the semi-final, securing a spot in the grand final. In the Eurovision 2012 final, Jónsi and Greta gave it their all among contestants from 26 countries. When the votes were tallied, Iceland finished in 20th place in the final. While not a top placement, reaching the final itself was a significant achievement, and the duo’s entry gained a loyal fan following. “Never Forget” became a fan favorite for its emotional depth and the chemistry between Jónsi and Greta on stage. For Jónsi, performing at Eurovision a second time was the fulfillment of another dream.

Later Career and Personal Life

After his Eurovision appearances, Jón Jósep Snæbjörnsson gradually shifted the focus of his life and career. Having spent over a decade in the spotlight, he decided to explore new paths. In the years following 2012, Jónsi pursued higher education and new professional roles. He enrolled in university and earned a degree in psychology, followed by a master’s degree in human resources. 

Surprisingly to many of his music fans, Jónsi embarked on a fresh career as an airline flight steward (flight attendant) while continuing to enjoy music on the side. By training in human resources and working in the airline industry, he found a more stable and family-friendly routine after years of the musician’s life. He also became active as an event planner, organizing entertainment events, which allowed him to use his showbiz experience behind the scenes. Though he stepped back from full-time music, Jónsi never left music completely – he occasionally performs acoustic gigs with his guitar, delighting fans who remember his hits. These smaller shows allow him to stay connected with his love of singing without the pressures of constant touring.

In his personal life, Jónsi has always been grounded despite fame. He married his wife early in his career and has been happily married for over two decades. The couple has two sons, who were born in the 2000s and whom Jónsi absolutely adores. Despite experiencing pop stardom in Iceland – including moments when media attention was intense – Jónsi prefers a normal, modest life as a family man. He once shared that he never wanted to become an “airhead with a huge ego,” and that being a good husband and father has always been his top priority.