Totta's Bluesband always appeared to be
the 'elder statesmen' of the Gothenburg blues scene. It had nothing to do
with age, but with two other facts: They had a solid image, perhaps some of
them even 'cult' status. Gruff, powerful Totta Näslund as a symbol of the
'politically progressive' music scene of the city. Street cred you would say
today. Bengan Blomgren, the total guitarist, who (the saying goes) told off
Stikkan Andersson ("I don't play that shit!") when he tried to hire Bengan
for an ABBA tour. Nikke Ström, the bassplayer: a Mr. Cool, clenching his
cigarette between his teeth, squinting through the smoke under his peaked
cap. Bernt Andersson, looking like the happiest man alive when pummelling
the keys with an impish grin. And the drummers of course, Gunnar Pettersson
and Niels Nordin: different in style but perfecting the solid beat behind
the others. During the 1980's Totta's Bluesband toured a lot in Sweden and
the US before the band was dissolved and the members kept on in various
other projects. Totta Näslund tragically passed away in 2005 after a long
battle with cancer.
