Haakon Banken was one of Norway's best-selling artists in the 70s and 80s, and the first recording artist in Norway who dared to portray his own mental problems. Haakon Banken (1949-2018) is also a peculiarity in Norwegian music history. The unassuming country and dance band musician sold over half a million records and was very popular in the 70s and 80s. But his life was also marked by anxiety and depression. He was the first recording artist in Norway who dared to portray his own mental problems. He played almost never live and gave rarely interviews.