Lara Bergöklem

**Lara Kamilla Bergöklem** (born 3 February 1962) is a Lashardian singer, songwriter, and former model, best known for being a member of The Cherry Bombs.

After The Cherry Bombs broke up in 1984, Bergöklem signed a solo recording contract with Cyclops Records, and released the chart-topping single "Alone" in 1989. Her debut self-titled album was a large success, but her subsequent releases never achieved the same levels of success.

## Life and career

### Early life

Bergöklem was born on 3 February 1962 in Kesa, Nortensland. Her father, Berg, was a lawyer, while her mother, Anastasia, was a housewife. Bergöklem had an older brother and younger sister, while the family was upper class. She has described herself as the "black sheep" of the family.

Bergöklem attended primary school in Kesa, where she received good grades but had little academic motivation, instead wanting to run away from home to become a rock star. She graduated from primary school in 1977, and was set to begin high school studying social work, but instead ran away from home to Ubenmoor to pursue a career in music. She lived in a women's shelter, before befriending Sabina Charköglas, another musician, and moving in with her in Breż.

### 1977–1984: Early career and The Cherry Bombs

After moving in with Charköglas, Bergöklem began partying regularly and nearly lost focus on her goal of becoming a successful musician. In 1979, she got a job working as a cashier at a supermarket, where she was introduced to Dasha Franköforson and Srdana Eriköhemsli. When Franköforson and Eriköhemsli recruited Bergöklem to join their girl group, she also recommended they invite Charköglas, and the group was formed as a five-piece, along with Franköforson and Eriköhemsli's friend Marina Helenöporm.

The band soon began performing gigs throughout Ubenmoor and were signed to Akai Music Group in 1980. Later in the year, they released their debut single "Somebody". The song became a smash hit, reaching number-one in four countries. Their debut studio album, *Ignition*, was later released the following year, and became the best-selling album of 1981.

In 1982, rumors arose of the group's possible breakup due to Franköforson and Eriköhemsli's desire to pursue solo careers. However, when asked about the rumors, all five members of the group dismissed them as fiction and that they'd begun work on their second studio album. The album's lead single "Vacation", was released in autumn 1982. The song was a massive success, and peaked in the top three of six countries' singles chart. Their second studio album, *CB*, was released in early-1983.

Rumors of a possible breakup resurfaced after the abrupt cancelation of their Asmatys-wide tour to promote *CB*. Many news stories began reporting that Franköforson and Eriköhemsli had signed solo recording contracts and that the other band members were furious. In 1984, the group confirmed that they had split up.

### 1984–1991: Solo breakthrough and *Lara Bergöklem*

Bergöklem took a brief hiatus from music following the breakup of The Cherry Bombs. Many media reports suggested that Bergöklem was "distraught" and felt "abandoned" by Franköforson and Eriköhemsli.

Her hiatus ended in 1988, when it was announced that she had signed a solo recording contract with rival record label Cyclops Records. Bergöklem signing to a rival label was largely regarded as a deliberate rude gesture to Akai Music Group, Franköforson, and Eriköhemsli.

She released her debut solo single, "Alone", in 1989. The song was a dramatic Lashpop ballad heavily influenced by hard rock. It was a smash hit, peaking at number-one in Lashardia and reaching the top ten in two other countries.

Her debut self-titled solo studio album was released the following year. It was also very successful, being certified platinum in Lashardia. It also produced the hit singles "Bright Eyes" and "Hole In My Heart".

### 1990s–present: Scrapped second studio album and Cyclops Records departure

In 1993, Bergöklem released the lead single to her planned second studio album. The song, titled, "Evolution", was similar in style to that of the music of her first album. However, the song was not successful, not reaching the singles charts of any country. Eventually, the song was scrapped the album began to be rewritten. However, in 1995 it was announced that Bergöklem had been dropped from Cyclops Records.

## Personal life

Bergöklem has never been married and has no children. In a 1990 interview, she stated, "Married life has never been for me. Growing up, I saw my parents fight and argue all the time, and I remember thinking, I never want to have to put a child through that".

Bergöklem has resided in the Jorden district of Ubenmoor since 1983.

## Discography

### Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions, sales figures and certifications
* Format: LP, cassette, CD
* ADR: Gold
* PES: Platinum

## Awards and nominations

 Best Pop Album
 Artist of the Year
 Best Female Artist