Bendik Singers
| Company type | Vocal quartet |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1973 |
| Founder | Arne Bendiksen |
Area served | Norway, Europe |
Key people | Anne-Karine Strøm, Ellen Nikolaysen, Bjørn Kruse, Philip Kruse |
Bendik Singers
The Bendik Singers were a Norwegian vocal quartet established by singer and songwriter Arne Bendiksen specifically to participate in Norway's Eurovision selection event, Melodi Grand Prix, in 1973.
This ensemble consisted of Anne-Karine Strøm, Ellen Nikolaysen, along with siblings Bjørn and Philip Kruse. They presented Bendiksen's composition "Å for et spill" during the Melodi Grand Prix held in Oslo on 17 February 1973, where they emerged victorious, earning the right to represent Norway at the 18th Eurovision Song Contest hosted in Luxembourg City on 7 April. The track was adapted into English, incorporating phrases from various European languages, under the new title "It's Just a Game". At the Eurovision final, they achieved seventh place among 17 participants, marking Norway's first top ten placement since 1966.
In the following year, 1974, Strøm secured victory at Melodi Grand Prix as a solo performer with "The First Day of Love". During Eurovision, she was accompanied by Anne Lise Gjøstøl and the Kruse brothers; this collaboration was occasionally credited as 'Anne-Karine Strøm featuring the Bendik Singers'. Nikolaysen took on Norway's representation in 1975, followed by Strøm's third Eurovision appearance in 1976. Consequently, members from the original 1973 group were involved in Eurovision for four consecutive years.