1. Overview
Anna Charlotte "Lotta" Engberg (born Pedersen on March 5, 1963) is a prominent Swedish singer, actress, and television host. She is widely recognized for her versatile career spanning several decades, marked by significant achievements in music, particularly within the dansband genre, and as a popular television personality. Engberg represented Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest 1987 after winning Melodifestivalen 1987. Her career also includes extensive work with various musical groups and successful stints as the host of popular Swedish television programs.
2. Early Life and Debut
Lotta Engberg was born Anna Charlotte Pedersen on March 5, 1963, in Överkalix, Sweden. She spent her upbringing in Laxå, located in Örebro County. Her initial foray into the entertainment industry occurred at the age of 17 in 1980, when she made her debut on the Sveriges Television program "Nygammalt". During her early career, she was also a member of Trioala, an a cappella choir, and later secured a permanent position within the "Nygammalt" television program's choir.
3. Music Career
Lotta Engberg's musical journey has been extensive and diverse, encompassing a successful solo career, significant involvement in the dansband scene, and various collaborations with other artists.
3.1. Solo Career and Eurovision Participation
Engberg has had a notable solo career, highlighted by her multiple participations in Melodifestivalen, Sweden's national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest. In Melodifestivalen 1987, she won with the song "Fyra bugg & en Coca Cola", which was subsequently renamed "Boogaloo" for her representation of Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest 1987.
She made several other attempts in Melodifestivalen throughout her career:
- In Melodifestivalen 1984, she performed "Sankta Cecilia" in a duet with Göran Folkestad, securing second place behind the eventual Eurovision winners, The Herreys.
- She returned in Melodifestivalen 1988 with "100%", performing alongside Triple & Touch, and finished third.
- In Melodifestivalen 1990, she competed as a solo artist with "En gång till", placing eighth.
- Her participation in Melodifestivalen 1996 with "Juliette & Jonathan" resulted in a third-place finish.
- In Melodifestivalen 2002, she was part of the supergroup Kikki, Bettan & Lotta, performing "Vem é dé du vill ha", which also finished third.
- Her most recent participation was in Melodifestivalen 2012, where she sang "Don't Let Me Down" with Christer Sjögren. They placed third in their semi-final and third in the second chance round, narrowly missing a spot in the final, which was ultimately won by Loreen.
3.2. Dansband Career
Lotta Engberg has been a significant figure in the Swedish dansband genre, leading two prominent orchestras.
- Lotta & Anders Engbergs orkester**
This dansband was active from 1989 to 1994, based in Skara, Sweden. Lotta Engberg formed the band in 1989 with her then-husband, Anders Engberg, who already had an existing band. The band gained considerable success, and in early 1994, they were awarded a Grammis for "Best Dansband of 1993" for their album Kärlek gör mig tokig. This album achieved commercial success, peaking at number 33 on the Swedish album chart.
The members of Lotta & Anders Engbergs orkester included:
- Lotta Engberg - vocals
- Anders Engberg - bass, saxophone, choir
- Patrik Ehlersson - guitar
- Peter Åhs - keyboards, sometimes also vocals
- Pedro Johansson - keyboards
- Jörgen Horneij - drums
Lotta Engberg departed from the band around New Year 1993-1994, following her divorce from Anders Engberg, to establish her own dansband. The remaining members of the group subsequently formed the band Anders Engbergs.
- Lotta Engbergs**
Following her departure from Lotta & Anders Engbergs orkester, Lotta Engberg formed her new dansband, initially known as "Lotta Engbergs orkester," in 1994. The name was later shortened to "Lotta Engbergs." This band continued the dansband tradition in Skara, Sweden, and remained active until its dissolution in 2002.
The members of Lotta Engbergs included:
- Lotta Engberg - vocals
- Peter Åhs - guitar, keyboards, sometimes also vocals
- Pedro Johansson - musical keyboards
- Bengt Andersson - drums
- Per Strandberg - bass, guitar, choirs, sometimes also vocals
- Patrik Ehlersson - guitar, bass
3.3. Collaborations
Throughout her career, Lotta Engberg has engaged in several notable musical collaborations. In 1987, she released joint albums with Jarl Carlsson. Later, in 2012, she collaborated on albums with both fellow Swedish artist Christer Sjögren and American country music legend Willie Nelson. From 2001 to 2004, she was also a member of the Swedish-Norwegian supergroup Kikki, Bettan & Lotta, alongside Kikki Danielsson and Elisabeth "Bettan" Andreassen.
4. Television Career
Beyond her musical endeavors, Lotta Engberg has cultivated a highly successful career in television as a host and participant in popular shows. She is well-known for hosting the Swedish sing-along program Lotta på Liseberg. From 2008 to 2011, she also served as the host of the Swedish game show Bingolotto. In 2014, Engberg showcased her dance skills as a celebrity contestant in Let's Dance.
5. Personal Life
Lotta Engberg was born Anna Charlotte Pedersen in Överkalix and grew up in Laxå, Örebro County. She married Anders Engberg and adopted his surname for her professional recordings. Their marriage concluded in a divorce in 1994. Lotta Engberg currently resides in Alingsås, Sweden.
6. Awards and Recognition
Lotta Engberg has received various accolades and forms of recognition throughout her career. In early 1994, her dansband, Lotta & Anders Engbergs orkester, was honored with a Grammis award for "Best Dansband of 1993" for their successful album Kärlek gör mig tokig. Further demonstrating her cultural impact, a postage stamp featuring her portrait was issued by Sweden on October 2, 1999. She also won the OGAE Second Chance Contest in 1996.
7. Discography
Lotta Engberg's principal music albums include:
- Fyra Bugg & en Coca Cola (1987)
- 100% (1988)