Tages (band)

Tages

Company type	Musical group
Industry	Music
Founded	1963 in Gothenburg, Sweden
Founder	Tommy Blom, Göran Lagerberg, Danne Larsson, Anders Töpel, Freddie Skantze
Defunct	1968
Headquarters	Gothenburg , Sweden
Products	Music albums and singles

Tages was a prominent Swedish rock ensemble established in Gothenburg during 1963. The founding members—Tommy Blom, Göran Lagerberg, Danne Larsson, Anders Töpel, and Freddie Skantze—rose to become one of the most acclaimed Swedish groups of the 1960s, securing thirteen singles within the top 20 on Kvällstoppen. Their notable hits included "Sleep Little Girl", "I Should Be Glad", "In My Dreams", and "Miss Mac Baren". They also achieved two gold-certified albums: Tages released in 1965 and Tages 2 in 1966.

Initially rooted in beat styles inspired by the Beatles, Tages encountered skepticism early on due to their lack of experience but rapidly matured by drawing inspiration from British mod groups such as Small Faces. From 1965 onward, they influenced Sweden’s male fashion trends significantly. Their setlists featured covers of lesser-known musicians like John Lee Hooker, Willie Dixon, and Muddy Waters, alongside peers including the Everly Brothers, the Easybeats, and Small Faces.

During the period from 1965 to 1967, Tages produced five studio albums, among them the groundbreaking psychedelic rock record Extra Extra (1966). Their final studio effort, Studio (1967), showcased an innovative fusion of Swedish folk music with rock, containing exclusively original compositions and is widely regarded as one of Sweden’s finest albums of that decade. Following Blom’s exit in 1968, the band adopted the name Blond. After several lineup modifications left Lagerberg as the only original member, they released The Lilac Years under Fontana in 1969.

1963–1964: Formation and breakthrough

During the summer of 1963, Tommy Blom and Anders Töpel created a skiffle group called Alberts Skifflegrupp. Töpel then invited Danne Larsson and later Göran Lagerberg to join, prompting a name change to Tages Skifflegrupp in reference to Larsson’s middle name, aiming for a unique band identity. The group initially performed sing-along tunes at private gatherings before competing in the talent show "Oktobersmällen" in October 1963, where they placed last but gained valuable exposure at Kungälv Folkpark.

By early 1964, they shortened their name to Tages and transitioned from skiffle to beat music, heavily influenced by Beatlemania. Lagerberg received a bass guitar as a Christmas present while other members acquired electric guitars. The addition of drummer Freddie Skantze completed their beat group lineup.

Their major breakthrough occurred between August 13 and 17, 1964, when they participated in Göteborgs-Posten's "Västkustens Beatles" contest, which was designed for four-piece bands emulating the Beatles’ sound. With Blom absent due to a trip to London, the remaining four members won the competition, earning a free studio recording session as their prize.

After Blom returned, the band recorded their debut single "Sleep Little Girl," penned by Blom himself. The recording took place on September 20, 1964, in an improvised studio at Nylöse Ungdomsgård. Released by independent label Platina Records on October 16, 1964, the single quickly gained popularity, reaching number three on Kvällstoppen and dominating the radio chart Tio i Topp for eleven consecutive weeks. Its success prompted a re-release in January 1965.

Personnel

Original members

• Tommy Blom – lead vocals, guitar, harmonica (1963–1968; deceased 2014)
• Göran Lagerberg – bass guitar, vocals (1963–1969)
• Danne Larsson – guitar, vocals (1963–1969)
• Anders Töpel – guitar, backing vocals (1963–1969; deceased 2014)
• Freddie Skantze – drums, percussion instruments (1963–1966)

Discography

• Tages (1965)
• Tages 2 (1966)
• Extra Extra (1966)
• Contrast (1967)
• Studio (1967)

Under the name Blond

• The Lilac Years (1969)