Vildkaktus

Swedish rock group formed in 1970 in Stockholm. Vildkaktus was formed by pianist and organist Gösta Nilsson, who previously worked as a jazz musician in Skåne and then studied at the Royal Academy of Music. He was then active as a music teacher at Birkagården's folk high school and formed the group together with some of his students. Among the other members was the guitarist Olle Nilsson, who during the years 1965–1968 was the leader of the band 14 in Finspång. The band's music was based on the contrast between Gösta Nilsson's jazz talent and Olle Nilsson's beat music. In 1970, the group's debut album Tidsmaskinen was released. The band then consisted of Håkan Thanger (bass), Ali Lundbohm (drums), Olle Nilsson (guitar, vocals) and Gösta Nilsson (piano, organ, vibraphone, vocals). They released Vindarnas vägar in 1971. On this record, Tommy Johnsson had replaced Thanger on bass. Leif Rundqvist had also been added on saxophone, flute and vocals. The band's third and final LP was released there in 1972. On this one, Lundbohm had been replaced by Dave Spann on drums. Rundqvist had also left the band. The group Vildkaktus was among the pioneers in singing rock in Swedish. They played progressive rock with influences from jazz and folk music. After the last album, the group changed their name to Ibis (2) and released two more jazz-influenced albums under that name before it was disbanded.