Olsen Brothers

The Olsen Brothers (Brødrene Olsen) are a Danish rock/pop music duo formed by brothers Jørgen Olsen (born 1950) and Niels “Noller” Olsen (born 1954). They became household names in Denmark long before their Eurovision fame. In 2000, Jørgen and Niels achieved international recognition by winning the Eurovision Song Contest with their uplifting song “Fly on the Wings of Love”. The duo remains an iconic part of Denmark’s pop music history.

Early Musical Beginnings

Jørgen and Niels Olsen grew up in a musical family in Odense, Denmark, and moved to Copenhagen as children. Both brothers showed talent from an early age. In 1965, 15-year-old Jørgen and 11-year-old Niels formed their first band, The Kids. That same year, The Kids earned a prestigious gig opening for British rockers The Kinks in Copenhagen’s KB Hallen. By the late 1960s and early 1970s, the Olsen Brothers had become popular teen idols in Denmark.

They even broadened their experience by performing in the Danish production of the musical Hair in 1971, touring Denmark and neighboring countries. The duo released their debut album in 1972 and scored a string of Danish hit singles throughout the 1970s, including “Angelina,” “Julie,” and “San Francisco”. Moreover, their close two-part harmonies earned them comparisons to the Everly Brothers. Stars like Cliff Richard and ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus affectionately dubbed them the “European Everly Brothers” for their vocal blend.

National Fame and Eurovision Attempts 

Despite local success, an international breakthrough eluded the brothers for years. The Olsen Brothers tried repeatedly to represent Denmark in Eurovision. They entered the Dansk Melodi Grand Prix (the Danish Eurovision selection) for the first time in 1978 with the song “San Francisco,” achieving second place. They returned in 1979 with “Dans, Dans, Dans” and in 1980 with “Laila,” but did not win those years.

After a break, they competed again in 1986, and though popular, they still fell short of victory. Jørgen Olsen also pursued solo entries. He entered the Danish finals on his own in 1989 with “Fugle” and in 1990 with “Berlin,” both times finishing in third place. During this period, the brothers balanced music with ordinary careers. Jørgen worked as a primary school teacher in Ordrup until 2000. Niels was employed as a music consultant and later became a cultural events manager in the town of Farum. Both brothers also continued to develop personally: Niels completed training as a pedagogue (educator) in 1981 and later qualified as a gestalt therapist. However, he also faced personal challenges: Niels struggled with alcohol and drug abuse from his teens until his early 40s, eventually seeking treatment in 1996 to overcome these issues. Through the late 1990s, the Olsen Brothers remained active on the Danish music scene, determined to achieve a long-awaited victory.

Eurovision Triumph in 2000 

The year 2000 marked a turning point for Jørgen and Niels Olsen. After decades of persistence, they finally won the Danish Melodi Grand Prix in February 2000, earning the right to represent Denmark at Eurovision.

In May 2000 they took the Eurovision stage in Stockholm and triumphed with their song “Fly on the Wings of Love” (originally titled “Smuk som et stjerneskud” in Danish). The performance captivated Europe with its warm melody and the brothers’ genuine stage presence. It was Denmark’s first Eurovision win in 37 years. The song became a pan-European hit. At one point the brothers sold 100,000 copies of the single in a single day in Denmark alone. This late-career victory also set records: Jørgen, at 50, was the oldest Eurovision winner up to that time, and together the Olsen siblings remain the oldest duo to win the competition. The win launched the brothers into a new level of stardom and allowed them to quit their day jobs to ride the wave of success. They became instant national heroes and were greeted with widespread acclaim upon returning home.

Continued Career and Solo Projects 

Following their Eurovision victory, the Olsen Brothers enjoyed a resurgence in their music career. In 2001, they opened the Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen with a rousing reprise of “Fly on the Wings of Love,” followed by their new single “Walk Right Back”. They continued to record new music and tour extensively, releasing several more albums in the 2000s and selling millions of records overall. In 2005, the brothers made another attempt at Eurovision glory by entering the Danish finals with the song “Little Yellow Radio.” They finished as runners-up that year.

That same year, “Fly on the Wings of Love” was honored as one of the all-time favorite entries at the Eurovision 50th anniversary celebration, where it placed 6th in a vote of fan favorites. The Olsen Brothers also expanded their artistic collaborations; in 2009 they recorded the duet “Look Up Look Down” with British singer Sir Cliff Richard. Throughout the 2010s the duo remained active, releasing their final studio album Brothers to Brothers in 2013 and performing at concerts and festivals across Europe. Additionally, both brothers pursued individual projects alongside their work as a duo. Jørgen Olsen released a couple of solo albums, including Det Stille Ocean in 1990 and a self-titled album in 2007, and continued songwriting. Niels “Noller” Olsen ventured into a solo career later in life. He released his first solo album, aptly titled 60, in 2015 to mark his 60th birthday. Niels’s album featured cover songs and guest artists, reflecting his personal musical tastes. These solo endeavors allowed each brother to explore his own artistic identity while still cherishing their work together.

Personal Lives and Public Contributions

Both brothers have rich personal lives outside of music. Jørgen Olsen has been married to his long-time love Lena Madsen since 1968. The couple has two daughters, Line and Marie, as well as several grandchildren. Niels Olsen married his wife Kirsten in 1991. Together they have three children, and Niels also has an older daughter from a previous relationship.

The brothers’ grounded family life often provided stability throughout the highs and lows of show business. Niels later shared his personal struggles and growth in a 2007 autobiography Det er muligt – rundt om et misbrug, in which he candidly recounted his battle with addiction and recovery. By speaking openly about his past alcoholism and drug misuse, Niels made a meaningful public contribution by raising awareness about substance abuse and showing that recovery is possible. Both brothers are respected not just as musicians but also as individuals who have given back through honesty and life experience.

Later Years

In their later years, the Olsen Brothers continued to delight the audience, but health challenges forced them to slow down. The duo’s final concert together took place in 2019 at the Smukfest music festival. At that show, it became clear that Niels’s health was deteriorating. Jørgen later admitted it was heartbreaking to see his younger brother struggle on stage. Shortly after, Niels “Noller” Olsen suffered a stroke and was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2019. This development meant he could no longer perform, and the brothers announced an indefinite hiatus while Niels focused on his health and family.

Fans across Denmark were saddened, but there was a silver lining. Against the odds, Niels responded well to treatment. By the end of 2020, he was declared cancer-free, a recovery described as almost miraculous. Although Niels has retired from public performances, he has not ruled out returning to music if his health permits. Meanwhile, Jørgen Olsen has carried on the musical legacy on his own. He has given solo concerts and even attempted to enter Eurovision again via a national selection in recent years. In 2025, Jørgen had the honor of performing “Fly on the Wings of Love” once more on the Eurovision stage. This time it was as a special interval act celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Olsen Brothers’ victory.