Pal Waaktaar was born on September 6th, 1961, in Oslo, Norway. He discovered his love to composing and playing music, when he got the flute in his early childhood. He started to play drums, but changed his interest to guitars. He and his friend Magne Furuholmen formed their own band called Bridges when they were teenagers.

In the beginning of the 1983, Pal and Magne asked Morten Harket to join them. Thus the history of a-ha had begun.

In 1991 he married to Lauren Savoy. They have a son August (born in August '99).

While a-ha took their 7 year break, he started his own solo career. Along with his wife Lauren they formed a band called Savoy. . Their albums to date are: Mary is Coming (1996), Lackluster Me (1997), Mountains of Time (1999) & Reasons to Stay Indoors (limited edition) (2001).

However, it would appear that his work with Savoy suffers when he is not working within the tension and bickering that seems to be compulsory whenever a-ha make a record together. Savoy make pop that certainly can be catchy but for the most part is without depth and after a couple of listens is shelved and forgotten inside your head.

There can be no doubt that of the 3 band members it is, surprisingly, Morten Harket with the help of the Norwegian poets Havard Rem & Ole Sverre Olsen, whose songwriting by far possesses the most depth and beauty. Surprising because hitherto his songwriting has been the least used within the band.

Paul doesn't seem to have had so much success with his collaborations though he is indeed the happy poppy tune-maker behind the band. But don't look too far behind the surface as you will find nothing of consequence.

He currently resides in New York.