Henrik Ostergaard, 47; Was Frontman for "Dirty Looks"
Bill Schenley
Photo:
http://www.nolifetilmetal.com/images/dirtylooks_henrik2.jpg
FROM: The Erie Times-News ~
By Dave Richards
Henrik Ostergaard, the gravel-voiced founder and leader of internationally
known hard-rock band Dirty Looks, died today.
He was 47.
Erie County Coroner Lyle Cook said Ostergaard died of natural causes at 9:18
a.m. while under hospice care.
"I'm deeply saddened by the news of Henrik's passing," said Jack Pyers, who
played bass on numerous Dirty Looks' albums. "I consider myself lucky to
have had the opportunity to work with and share some significant
achievements with Henrik.
"He is and will certainly always be in my thoughts and close to my heart.
So, my deepest respect to Henrik as a friend, father, husband and one of the
best (expletive deleted) rock 'n roll singers that ever was."
Dirty Looks emerged in 1984 like a high-energy, long-haired American
equivalent of AC/DC, playing ferocious, hook-heavy songs. "Oh, Ruby," from
their second independent album, earned widespread airplay on rock stations
and led to the band signing with Atlantic Records.
"Cool From the Wire" (1988) and "Five Easy Pieces" (1992) were Dirty Looks'
most popular albums. They released 11 albums on Atlantic, Sony/Columbia and
other labels between 1985-96.
After the band's final gig in Erie in 1996, Ostergaard briefly played with
Taar and Burning Orange before he took a break from music. He ran a local
moving business, 2 Guys & A Truck.
In early 2007, after he nearly died from alcohol poisoning, Ostergaard
plunged back into music. He revived Dirty Looks and unleashed a series of
albums on FNA Records, including "Gasoline," "Superdeluxe" -- which reunited
him with Pyers -- and "California Free Ride."
The band played its last Erie show in October 2008 at the Warner Theatre. In
mid-2010, Dirty Looks released "I.C.U." on their latest label, FNA. The band
held a CD listening party for the release on Jan. 21 at Sherlock's, however
Ostergaard did not attend.
Ostergaard is survived by two sons: Henrik Jr. and Elliott.
