Gunnar Þórðarson (1945 – 2026)

Their Story

Gunnar Þórðarson, one of Iceland's most celebrated musicians and composers, passed away aged 81 after a career spanning more than six decades across rock, pop, film music and opera. Born on January 4, 1945 in Hólmavík, he later moved to Keflavík, a town closely associated with Iceland's early rock scene and often referred to as the country's "Beatles town". He first rose to prominence in the mid-1960s as a songwriter before becoming a member of several of Iceland's most influential bands, including Hljómar, Trúbrot, Ríó Tríó and Lummurnar. As a guitarist, singer, arranger, producer, recording engineer and publisher, he played a pivotal role in shaping generations of Icelandic musicians. Beyond popular music, he composed film scores and the opera Ragnheiður, which set attendance records at the Icelandic Opera. He became the first pop musician to receive an artist's salary from the Icelandic state and received the Knight's Cross of the Order of the Falcon in 2002, the Icelandic Music Awards' honorary prize in 1996, and was named Reykjavík's City Artist in 2014. He is survived by his wife, Sigrún Toby Herman, and four of his five children.

Sources

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gunnar_%C3%9E%C3%B3r%C3%B0arson