Nationalteatern musician Nikke Ström is dead

Nikke Ström, a prominent figure in Sweden's 1970s progg movement and a bassist for the iconic bands Nationalteatern and Nynningen, has died. He passed away on his 75th birthday due to complications from heart surgery.

Born in Jonsered, Ström began his music career in the 1960s. He played with various groups before co-founding Nationalteatern in 1976 with Ulf Dageby and Totta Näslund. The band achieved significant success with hits like "Livet är en fest" and "Hanna från Arlöv." Ström remained with Nationalteatern until 2014.

He later rejoined Nynningen when the band reunited in 2016. Bandmate Tomas Forsell described Ström as "no kinder person" and a "very heavy and grounded" bassist. Forsell shared that he visited Ström to say goodbye and that the band intends to proceed with scheduled August performances, acknowledging the difficulty of playing without him.

Ström's children announced his passing on social media, sharing his final wish that they convey his regards to everyone. His death marks the end of an era for Swedish music, leaving a void in the progg scene.