Joachim “Jokke” Nielsen was a Norwegian singer, guitarist and poet, best known for his band Jokke & Valentinerne. He was also the son of the painter John David Nielsen, and the brother of cartoonist Christopher Nielsen, who drew all of Valentinerne’s album covers.

He is considered one of the greats of Norwegian songwriting, combining social realism and dark humor in his lyrics, detailing a life of debauchery and mental health issues in the gutters.

After Jokke & Valentinerne broke up in 1994, he released a solo album in 1996 and formed a new band in 1997 called Jokke med Tourettes, before tragically passing away at 36 years old from a heroin overdose in the year 2000.

After his death, several compilations, posthumous releases and tribute albums of his music has been released, and he had a street in Oslo named after him, showing that his legacy still lives on.