CC Cowboys are a Norwegian rock band that peaked in popularity during the early to mid-'90s before dissolving later in the decade.
In 2003 the band mounted a successful comeback that returned it to the upper reaches of the Norwegian charts. Formed in 1989 in Fredrikstad, Norway, the band is comprised of Magnus Grønneberg (vocals, guitar), Jørn Christensen (guitar), Per Vestaby (bass), and Agne Saether (drums). Former members include Anders Grønneberg (bass), Trond Berg (guitar), and Jon Terje Rovedal (accordion), who were active during the 1990s. CC Cowboys made their debut in 1990 with the single "Harry" and the album Blodsbrødre, both of which were Top Five hits on the Norwegian charts. The follow-up album, Rock'n Roll Ryttere, and its lead single, "Barnehjemmet Johnny Johnny," were similarly popular, both also reaching the Top Five. While subsequent albums Tigergutt (1992) and Persille & Panser (1994) and their respective singles, "People in Motion" and "Når Du Sover," were only slightly less successful, reaching the Top Ten rather than the Top Five, the band's next album, Himmeltitter (1996), was a relative disappointment, barely making the Top 20. CC Cowboys dissolved shortly thereafter, releasing the chart-topping best-of compilation Ekko: CC Cowboys' Beste (1998) and retreating from the album marketplace for several years afterward. With a reconfigured bandmember lineup (i.e., the addition of Christensen and Vestaby on guitar and bass, respectively), CC Cowboys returned in 2003 with the comeback album Lyst, a well-received effort that returned the band to the Top Ten. Subsequent full-length efforts Evig Liv (2006), På Svalbard Uten Strøm (2007), and Morgen & Kveld (2009) were similarly successful, reaching the Top Ten, if not the Top Five, of the albums chart. The band also released latter-day hit singles including "Kom Igen" and "Kanskje Du Behøver Noen." ~ Jason Birchmeier