Povel Ramel

Baron Povel Karl Henric Ramel (; 1 June 1922 – 5 June 2007) was a Swedish entertainer. Ramel was a singer, pianist, vaudeville artist, author and a novelty song composer. His style was characterized by imaginative wit, both verbal and musical. He took inspiration from US and UK 'crazy' style humor and created his own personal Swedish version, unusual combinations of lyrics and music, word play, pastiche and general unexpectedness. He wrote approximately 1700 songs, skits and monologues, and he is regarded as a legend and an institution in Swedish entertainment. thumb

Early life

Povel Ramel was born in Östermalm, Stockholm into an affluent noble family. His father, Karl Ramel, was a lawyer. At a young age, Ramel found a loving audience for his talents in the family nurses, maids and cooks, and also his parents. His family often went on extensive holidays, and on such an occasion, on a beach in Belgium, when Povel was two years old he stepped on a nail. With the wound infected Povel was not expected to survive, although he recovered, with a slight permanent injury.

Ramel's school-life was troubled. He cut classes, often going to Skansen, an open-air museum and zoo, favouring their monkey house. To avoid getting into trouble, Ramel told his teachers that he had lost his attendance book, thereby getting a new one, while showing his parents the old one, free from absence remarks. However, one day his father spotted Ramel visiting the monkey house. Subsequently, his father tried sending Ramel to various schools, but with little success.

At the age of 15, Ramel accompanied his parents on a car trip. There was a collision and Ramel's mother, Märta Tesch, died the following day in hospital. His father died a few months later.

Career

After his parents' death, Ramel was raised by his paternal aunt, who recognised his artistic potential. He went to art school, but his infatuation with painting did not last. However, he developed a love for playing the piano and for words, as he became inspired by musicians such as Bing Crosby, Fats Waller, British trumpeter Nat Gonella, Spike Jones and British dance band leader Harry Roy. Entering Aftonbladet'''s talent hunt, Vi som vill opp in 1939, Ramel sang and yawned his own composition, "En sömnig serenad" ("A Sleepy Serenade"). By this time Ramel was already a prolific songwriter. His aunt wrote the lyrics to one of his songs, "En vår utan dig" ("A Spring Without You"), which he recorded. Ramel's lyrics are noted for their humor and dramatic wordplay. Musically he was able to adopt styles from most types of music for his own purposes.

Later, when called to do his military service, his foot condition kept him out of active duty, and he was given an administrative role. When studying the military code, he learned that most everything was forbidden. But, with no rules to be found against Boogie Woogie Waltzes, he dutifully wrote Johanssons boogie-woogie-vals, the song that was later to become his first hit.

STIM (a musical copyright agency) required the record have a label, banning its airplay. As a result, the sales were minimal. Then a friend at the record company sent a copy with the label pulled off to Radiotjänst (The Swedish Broadcasting Corporation), and the sales jumped. Ramel was hired by Radiotjänst in 1945, which ushered in a new era of radio entertainment. With several series of innovative radio shows featuring the crazy style of humor, he became a household name in Sweden.

Knäppupp

In 1952, Ramel and Felix Alvo started the Knäppupp AB (Unbutton Inc.) company. The Knäppupp vaudeville shows were popular with Swedish audiences. As of 2014, the prize sum was 20,000 SEK.

The prize ceremony is held at the beginning of June each year, and it was led by Povel Ramel until 2007, when he was unable to attend due to his failing health; he died on the following day from a heart disease. From 2007 onwards, it has been hosted by Ramel's children Mikael and Lotta. The awardee is led onto the scene of the venue covered by a sheet striped in red and white (an allusion to a polkagris, a form of peppermint rock), which is removed as the identity of the recipient is revealed through a poem written for the occasion.

Holders: 2020 (ceremony postponed until 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic) – Bengan Janson 2019 – Suzanne Reuter 2018 – Felix Herngren 2017 – Lisa Nilsson 2016 – Per Andersson 2015 – Niklas Strömstedt 2014 – Kristina Lugn 2013 – Carl-Einar Häckner 2012 – Eva Rydberg 2011 – Johan Glans 2010 – Maria Lundqvist 2009 – Johan Ulveson 2008 – Babben Larsson 2007 – Henrik Dorsin 2006 – Kalle Moraeus from Orsa Spelmän 2005 – Sissela Kyle 2004 – Lena Philipsson 2003 – Peter Carlsson 2002 – The Real Group 2001 – Fredrik Lindström 2000 – Robin Carlsson (Robyn) 1999 – Viba femba 1998 – Hannes Holm and Måns Herngren 1997 – Wille Crafoord 1996 – Louise Hoffsten 1995 – Peter Dalle 1994 – I manegen med Glenn Killing 1993 – Marie Bergman 1992 – Tomas von Brömssen 1991 – Magnus Uggla 1990 – Ulla Skoog 1989 – Robert Broberg 1988 – Ainbusk 1987 – Claes Eriksson 1986 – Mikael Ramel 1985 – Anne-Lie Rydé 1984 – Björn Skifs 1983 – Totte Wallin