In the early seventies a singing group was formed. It consisted of sisters and brothers from a family with the name of Norlin. There were nine of them, two girls and seven boys: Sven-Olof, Lars, Samuel, Stefan, Jan-Ola, Hans-David, Ingrid, Tommy och Elisabeth.

Music had been a big part througout their whole life, mainly due to the fact that they were brought up in a christian environment and later choose to be a part of the church. Since they were very young they accompanied their parents, Sven and Märta, travelling in all of the Scandinavian countries to sing and play in all kinds of places. They were highly appreciated and 1966 they made their first recording. It was an EP with the title "Därför sjunger vi" (That's why we sing). The title song was written by their oldest brother Leif, who suddenly died in 1963, after being ill a short period, only 24 years old. They recorded two more EPs, which all three, later was re-released on a compilation LP.

In 1968 the family moved to Stöde, a place near Sundsvall in the north of Sweden, where they began to perform more regularly in front of larger crowds. One time over 700 people gathered in the church of Stöde that only had 400 seating places, to listen to the unique family. Eventually the sisters and brothers went out on their own to perform their harmonybased country-gospel style of music that was very successful.

The Norlins first appearence on TV was in 1971 on a christian song programme from Gothenburg. They had also been performing in a number of shows on the radio. In 1972 the group had the opportunity to record a new LP on the Interdisc label. It was recorded in the studio of the Swedish public radio in Stockholm. The LP was called "GoGoGospel". The same year another LP "Kärlekens lov" (Praise of love) was recorded in the EMI studios. It was released on their own lable. An intense period of touring in Sweden and appearences in various talk shows and other shows on TV followed. 1974 they released the album "Sprid lite värme" (Spread a little warmth). It was strongly country-influenced and musicians from a country-band made most of the music backgrounds.

1976 the compilation LP "Våra favoriter" (Our favourites) was released and more TV-shows followed.

An inspiring teamwork with the famous Swedish singer Jan Sparring started in 1976 which led to a recording later that year. It was called "På samma spår" (On the same track) and was redorded in a studio in Stockholm and some of the best musicians in Sweden was used. The record was very successful and sold more than 50 000 copies.

Then the Norlins began the work with another recording "Sången och glädjen" (The song and the joy). A wellknown Swedish studio was used and the arrangements was done by Anders Glenmark, later known as a successful Swedish songwriter and singer. Again the best Swedish musicians was engaged and the record became a little more up-tempo with some heavy brass- and string-arrangements.

Jan Sparring was contracted to CBS at the time and they were interested in releasing a record with the constellation Jan Sparring and The Norlins. It led to the recording "En värld med sång" (A world of songs) and both LP:s were released in 1977.

The same year a tragic accident happened. The family lost their brother Tommy when his car was hit by a train. He was the brother that wrote many songs and sang many of the soloparts in the group. After the loss they stopped touring for a while but gradually they started to accompany Jan Sparring with backup singing. In the summer of 1978 they toured about 30 Swedish "folkparks" in almost every large town in Sweden, including Gothenburg and Stockholm. They also made some appearences on TV together.

A compilation LP called "Oh Happy Day" with english tracks only was released in 1979 and it was dedicated to their brother Tommy.

The group continued touring, not as frequently as before but they accompanied Jan Sparring and made some appearances on their own. 1979 they started to record a collection of hymns. It was based on a poll in one of the biggest weekly magazines in Sweden. The most popular Swedish hymns were recorded at a studio in Stockholm. Lennart Sjöholm, a skilled Swedish producer and arranger was engaged. The following year the album "Härlig är jorden" (The earth is wonderful) was made and Lennart Sjöholm produced and made the arrangements this time also and the recordings took place at Europa Film studios. It contained a Swedish version of Milk & Honey's "Hallelujah". Milk & Honey from Israel won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1979, with the song. In 1983 the Norlins made an album with Jan Sparring called "På nya spår" (On new tracks). It was recorded in their own studio in Sundsvall.

In 1983 the female lead singer of the group released a solo-album with the title "En framtid utan slut" (A neverending future). It was mainly recorded in Sundsvall. The album contained a couple of original songs and several American songs translated into Swedish. Songs such as "I can't tell you why" by the Eagles and "Sunday school to Broadway" by Anne Murray. Among the songwriters were Ingemar Olsson "Hemma är med dig" (Home), Roland Utbult "En dag" (Some day) and Per-Erik Hallin "Vilken värld det skall bli" (What a world that will be).

Some of the songs were translated by Elisabeth, herself. Musicproducer was Thomas Östberg and local musicians were used.

Norlins appeared in a series of TV-shows that was produced in 1983 - 1985 by Hans Edler. It was called "Gospelsånger" (Gospel songs), and some of the most well-known singers in that genre in Sweden was performing. These songs were also released in a series of albums.

The latest album with the Norlins was released in 1985 "Lova Herren" (Praise the Lord). A couple of tracks were made by the younger generation. About ten of the cousins, 5 - 17 years of age are singing together on the album.



Since 1986 the Norlins has performed less numerous times but they are all still occupied with music. They sing and play on occasion in a number of places and in various constellations. They can look back at a period of twenty years, a time that was a very eventful and filled with musical happenings.