Jerry Williams

Erik Sven Fernström (15 April 1942 – 25 March 2018), known by his stage name Jerry Williams, was a Swedish singer and actor. He began his career as the lead singer of The Violents, before launching a solo career.

Early life Williams grew up in a working-class family in Solna. The family had a one-room apartment. Williams' mother, a nurse, died when he was only twelve years old. His father took care of him and his brother alone. He was very interested in sports, and as a youngster he played football, ice hockey and was engaged in cycle sport. He was also a member of Narva BK, a boxing club.

In his youth, Williams worked as a plumber. The Violents folded in 1966. A single was released on Laurie Records #3339 in 1965 "The Wanderer" b/w "Runaround Sue", both hits for Dion in the U.S. a few years before.

In the 1960s, Williams recorded a track with English record producer Joe Meek. The track was called "The Wonder Of Your Love". It was never released and was found amongst Meek's tapes when he died. It can be heard on YouTube. Williams' music style was soul-influenced by the end of the 1960s, and the song "Keep On" became a hit in Sweden in 1969.

He returned to rock and roll-based music in the early 1970s and performed with the band Roadwork until the early 1980s. During the 1970s, he also toured with the band The Telstars. In 1983, Williams made his debut as an actor in the film G – som i gemenskap. He also acted in the musical "Cats. During this time, Williams also had the stage show act "Live på Börsen" at Hamburger Börs in Stockholm. As well as "Ringside" at Scalateatern in 2005, and Lorensbergsteatern in Gothenburg in 2006. In the Eurovision Song Contest of 1989, he was a part of the choir for the song "En dag" which was performed by Tommy Nilsson representing Sweden.

In 1986, he lost almost 2.9 million (SEK), reportedly as a result of mismanagement of funds by his financial advisor. Williams was a host for Sommar i P1 on Sveriges Radio on 5 August 2009. In 2010, an art project featuring his work was exhibited at Göteborgs Konsthall in Gothenburg. In 2009 and 2010 he had the show Dynamite at Rondo in Gothenburg and Tyrol in Stockholm. He performed on the popular TV show Allsång på Skansen on several occasions.

On 17 January 2013, Williams premiered his farewell tour Jerry – The Farewell Show at Cirkus in Stockholm. Over 100,000 tickets were sold for the entire pan-Sweden tour for most of 2013.

Also in 2013, Williams co-operated with opera singer Malena Ernman on the latter's album I decembertid. He sang "Counting Miracles", the opening track of the album as a duet with Ernman. The song charted at Svensktoppen, and placed as number one on 6 April 2014.

Personal life Williams was a lifelong communist. Off stage he led a very private life Before getting married he was a single father with a son. He lived in Täby at the time of his death.

Discography

Studio albums

Ghost Rider''4

Live albums YearAlbumPeak positions SWE

Compilation albums

Singles YearSinglePeak positionsAlbum SWE 1965"The Wanderer" Laurie 33391989"Did I Tell You"1"It Started With a Love Affair"1990"Who's Gonna Follow You Home?"41991"If You See Her"(Jerry Williams & The Boppers)281992"Rock A Doddle"311993"Goodbye Rolling Stones"211996"Jackson"452005"Ringside"59

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRole Notes 1963 Åsa-Nisse och tjocka släkten Clerk at the Music Store 1967 Drra på – Kul grej på väg till Götet Himself 1983 G – som i gemenskap Motorcyclist 1985 On the Loose Frasse Short film 1987 Nionde kompaniet Himself (uncredited) 1991 Rock-a-Doodle Chanticleer (Swedish voice) 1996 Lilla Jönssonligan och cornflakeskuppen Einar Vanheden

Television

YearTitleRole Notes 1999 C/o Segemyhr Himself 2003 Håkan Bråkan Himself