About Magnus Uggla

Per Allan Magnus Claësson Uggla (pronounced [pæːr ˈalːan ˈmaŋnɵs ˈklɑːsɔn ˈɵɡː.ˈla]; born June 18, 1954 in Stockholm) is a Swedish artist, composer, actor, and occasional radio host known for his satirical lyrics. He is a member of the Swedish nobility and a descendant of several European rulers, among which John III of Sweden and Gustav Vasa. Through his mother, he also has Jewish ancestors. Uggla's early music was heavily influenced by British glam rock and art rock. His first album, 1975's "Om Bobbo Viking" ("About Bobbo Viking"), is Uggla's own version of David Bowie's "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders from Mars". The break-through album "Va ska man ta livet av sig för när man ändå inte får höra snacket efteråt" ("Why kill yourself when you can't hear the talkin' afterwards") was realeased in 1977 and is often cited as the first Swedish punk rock album. During the 1980's Uggla developed what would become his trademark - simple tunes with satirical edges. In 1989 he insulted many of his famous colleagues with the sneering "Jag mår illa" ("I feel sick"). Today Uggla is considered to be a malicious and witty commentator of his times, and in 2006 he released an album where he covered songs written for Swedish 1930's variety shows.