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Jónsi

About

Quick Facts

Name
Jón Jósep Snæbjörnsson

Born
01 June 1977

Nationality
🇮🇸 Icelandic

National Selection
Söngvakeppnin 2012
Söngvakepnnin 2007
Internal selection 2004

In Eurovision
2012 Baku
2004 Istanbul

Song
Never Forget (2012, with Greta Salóme)
Heaven (2004)

Biography

Jónsi is an Icelandic singer. His full name is Jón Jósep Snæbjörnsson, which is good to know as another Jónsi, the singer of Sigur Rós, is also a famous singer in Iceland. This Jónsi, however, played in a band called Í svörtum fötum. The band was active since 1999.
 

In September 2001, the band secured a contract for four albums with Skifan Records and immediately began laying the groundwork for their sophomore album. Known for their dynamic stage presence and rigorous touring schedules, the band dedicated the summer of 2002 to completing their second album, Í svörtum fötum. The album not only went gold but also received favorable reviews. In 2003, they continued to build on their growing fame and improve their songcraft, achieving even more acclaim with their third album, Tengsl. That same year, Jónsi earned a nomination for Vocalist of the Year at the Icelandic Music Awards, thanks to his standout performance. He has also consistently won accolades such as Male Vocalist of the Year and Best Live Performer in popular radio station polls.

Beyond his work with the band, Jónsi has collaborated with some of Iceland’s most prominent musicians. In 2003, he took on the lead role of Danny Zuko in the musical Grease, opposite Birgitta as Sandy, turning the production into one of Iceland’s most successful theatrical performances.

In 2004, Jónsi represented his country in the Eurovision Song Contest with a track titled “Heaven,” ending up in 19th place in the finals. In 2005 Jónsi released his debut solo album “Jónsi”. He made another attempt to represent Iceland in Eurovision during the selection process of Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins 2007, a TV competition to choose Iceland’s Eurovision entry. Performing the song “Segðu Mér,” he did not manage to qualify.

Jónsi returned to the Eurovision stage in 2012, teaming up with singer Greta Salóme for the song “Never Forget.” The duo succeeded in reaching 8th place in the first semi-final, ultimately landing in 20th place in the final round held in Baku, Azerbaijan.

After the Eurovision Song Contest Jónsi concentrated on other things: he got a degree in Psychology and a master in human resources. Meanwhile, he became an air steward. 

Entries

Never Forget (& Greta Salóme)

Country
🇮🇸 Iceland

Year
2012

Language
English

Lyrics
Greta Salóme Stefánsdóttir

Music
Greta Salóme Stefánsdóttir

Backings
Pétur Örn Guðmundsson
Alma Rut Kristinsdóttir
Guðrun Árný Karlsdóttir
Gísli Magna

Results Semi

Points: 75
Position: 8
Running order: 2

Results Finals

Points: 46
Position: 20
Running order: 7

Heaven

Country
🇮🇸 Iceland

Year
2004

Language
English

Lyrics
Magnus Þór Sigmundsson

Music
Sveinn Rúnar Sigurðsson

Backings

Results Semi

Points: –
Position: –
Running order: –

Results Finals

Points: 16
Position: 19
Running order: 17