Ola Magnell began his music career as a troubadour during high school. He debuted with the album Påtalåtar in 1974 and came to be influenced by American singer / songwriters, sixties rock music and the Swedish song tradition. Tomas Andersson Wij remembers Magnell as one of our most important rock poets in the same tradition as Bob Dylan.
- There is a depth and complexity in his lyrics that are fantastic, but also and a playfulness and humor - he combines Bob Dylan's 60s with Hasse and Tage. His texts are also influenced by Swedish tradition and Swedish poets like Fröding, he says.
Tomas Andersson Wij tells us that Magnell was a kind of signpost for him.
- I discovered his music when I was around 15-16. We later got to know each other a little. I am very happy to have been in his presence, he says.
"A gentle and kind person"Magnell also wrote a lot of music for other artists. Among other things, he wrote several songs for Lill Lindfors and they worked together in the studio.
- I really liked him both as a songwriter and copywriter and person. He was a very gentle and kind person and one of our main vispoets, she says and continues:
- He was a little special, I've listened to him a lot. I think of Fritt most recently as he wrote to me.