Fred kerstrm was a Swedish folk guitarist and singer particularly noted for his interpretations of Carl Michael Bellmans music, and his own work of the typically Swedish song segment named visa. These songs, visor, are traditionally very narrative and the performance is acted to some degree. The singer is in context a vissngare, a troubadour character. kerstrm was also known for his actors interpretations of Bellmans 18th century material, and his unusual ability to reach deep bass notes .
kerstrm was born in Stockholm to a family of meager circumstances, which would later influence the social, economic, and political criticisms found in many of his works and public appearances. He may have aspired at an early age to become a vissngare, being a devoted listener to Ruben Nilson. After performances at the famous visprmen Storken, he released his first record in 1963, Fred kerstrm sjunger Ruben Nilson. He was a contemporary of Cornelis Vreeswijk, and the two were at times very close, touring together and releasing a joint record, early in their careers. He became an alcoholic in later life. His daughter CajsaStina kerstrm is also a singer.
Source: Wikipedia