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Former Turbonegro singer Hank Von Hell dead at 49
Former Turbonegro singer Hank Von Hell has died.
The Norwegian musician, who for 17 years fronted Turbonegro, the self-styled “biggest underground rock ‘n’ roll band in the world”, passed away earlier today (Friday, November 19) at the age of 49.
Hank Von Hell’s death was confirmed in a statement on his social media. “We are very sad to announce that Hans-Erik Dyvik Husby, also known to the world as Hank von Hell, sadly passed away on November 19th, 2021,” the statement read. “We kindly ask for your respect to the family and close friends in this moment of tragedy.”
It is with immense sadness we received the tragic news that Hans-Erik ‘Hertis’ Dyvik Husby has passed away. We are thankful for the times, the moments and the magic we shared with Hans-Erik in Turbonegro during the years 1993-2009. As a charismatic frontman who equally channeled humor and vulnerability, Hans-Erik was crucial for the band’s appeal. He was a warm and big hearted human, a spiritually and intellectually seeking person who loved having a conversation with anyone. We are proud of what we created together as rock brothers in Turbonegro — the music, the characters, our whole universe. Hank Von Helvete remains an iconic figure in the history of Norwegian rock and popular culture, and also made a mark as a profile in the international rock ‘n’ roll community. Actor, romantic and entertainer — through his life Hank left no doubt that he was a man for the stage, loving the spotlight and the room’s attention. Our thoughts and hearts go to his family. Rest In Peace.Turbonegro commented on Hank Von Hell’s passing in a post on Facebook. The band wrote:
After forming in the late 1980s in Nesodden, Norway, Turbonegro recorded four well-received albums and toured extensively before breaking up in 1998, citing Von Helvete’s heroin addiction as the cause. A four-year hiatus following during which Von Helvete checked into rehab. A 2002 one-off appearance at Norway’s Quart Festival led to the band’s first new album in five years, 2003’s “Scandinavian Leather”. Two more reunion albums following, including 2007’s “Retox”, after which Von Helvete left Turbonegro and formed a new band, Doctor Midnight & The Mercy Cult.
In 2018, Von Helvete released his first solo album, “Egomania”, and followed it up with last year’s “Dead”.
Most recently, Hank contributed guest vocals to the song “Black Hearse Cadillac” on the latest album from Me and That Man, the band led by Behemoth frontman Adam “Nergal” Darski.