Kenneth Gärdestad

Gärdestad was also an architect, affiliated to the private Kunskapsskolan, where he designed the interior of several of its high schools. Gärdestad published the biography Jag vill ha en egen måne in 2005. In later years he became a mental health activist, and created the "Ted Gärdestad Stipend", a prize awarded to amateur singers and songwriter.

• Name — Kenneth Gärdestad • Born — 9 May 1948 • Birth Name — John Charles Kenneth Gärdestad • Birthplace — Sollentuna, Sweden • Died — 3 March 2018 • Place of death — Sollentuna, Sweden • Occupation — Songwriter, lyricist, architect

Gärdestad was a songwriter who co-wrote lyrics for many of his younger brother Ted Gärdestad's (1956–1997) songs. This included his Melodifestivalen song entries "Oh, vilken härlig dag" in 1973 and "Rockin' 'n' Reelin'" in 1975. As such, Gärdestad also won Melodifestivalen 1979 with Ted's song "Satellit". The song went on to represent Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest 1979, finishing 17th during the final held in Jerusalem. Gärdestad also competed in 2008 in the SVT music show Doobidoo along with Lotta Engberg. He took part again in Melodifestivalen in 2010, with lyrics for "Hur kan jag tro på kärlek?" performed by singer Erik Linder. The song placed fifth in the semi-final and was eliminated. In 2016, he was awarded the Musikförläggarnas pris, an honorary award for "many years of work for Swedish music and for creating timeless stories which he shares". In 2018, he won an honorary Grammis award, citing "his many years in the music industry and for his work in it, and many wonderful lyrics."

Gärdestad was head architect at Kunskapsskolan from 2008 until his death, and designed many of the schools' rooms. Kunskapsskolan (literally The Knowledge School) is a Swedish network of independent schools that provides education for students from grades 4 to 9 (ages 10 to 16). It also provides gymnasium schools for grades 10 to 12 (ages 16 to 19) in different areas of Sweden. Designed by Gärdestad, the architecture is very open, with glass and colourfully painted walls.

Gärdestad worked to educate and create understanding about psychological illness after his brother Ted's mental illness and suicide in 1997. He was the creator of the annual "Ted Gärdestad Stipend" awarded to amateur singers and songwriters since 1999 to promote their work. The prize includes a tribute concert.

Gärdestad's brother Ted was a noted Swedish singer, who represented Sweden in Eurovision with one of Kenneth's songs. Their other brother Kjell (1944–2000) was also a songwriter who co-wrote the song "Viking" with Ted.

Kenneth Gärdestad revealed in 2014 that he was suffering from skin cancer and latent lymphoma. He died on 3 March 2018, aged 69.

Kenneth Gärdestad is recorded as having received Swedish Music Hall of Fame. Identity and origins. His recorded languages were Swedish and English.