The Gjallarhorn

Created for the Minnesota Vikings by Groth Music's Todd (TJ) Johnson

Gjallarhorn

The Gjallarhorn, or "Yelling Horn", is used by the Minnesota Vikings to announce the start of each home game. The instrument has its origins in Norse mythology where acording to legend, the Gjallarhorn was sounded to announce the arrival of the gods.

In 2007, Groth Music was asked by the Minnesota Vikings if we were able to help them procure a Gjallarhorn. Our staff did some extensive research and scanned through our list of thousands of vendors and manufacturers, but found no occurrence of the elusive instrument.

In an effort to live up to the company motto, "We know what you want and we have it," Groth Music General Manager Todd Johnson endeavored to manufacture the Gjallarhorn himself. The rest is history.

Today each Minnesota Vikings home game is announced by an "Honorary Viking" sounding the Gjallarhorn. Some of the distinguished Gjallahorn players have included legendary Vikings Mascot Hub Meeds, Gjallahorn creator Todd Johnson, Running Back Chuck Foreman, Vikings Hall of Fame Coach Bud Grant, Vikings Ring of Honor Coach Jerry Burns, Vikings Hall of Fame Defensive End Carl Eller, Honored American War Vet John Kriesel, Minnesota Wild All-Star Right Wing Mark Parish, Minnesota Twins All-Star Catcher Joe Mauer, Two Time Olympic Medalist Dennis Koslowski, International Tennis Pro Mardy Fish, Olympic Gold Gold Medalist Shawn Johnson, Vikings All-time Leading Rusher Robert Smith, Captain Dustin Snare - Live from Iraq, UFC Heavyweight Captain Brock Lesnar, and an ever-growing list of other distinguished figures.

Groth Music is proud to have Gjallarhorn creator Todd (TJ) Johnson as our General Manager.

Original 10-foot Version

Original gjallarhorn
This 10 foot version of the Gjallarhorn was the original version produced by Todd (TJ) Johnson for the Minnesota Vikings in 2007.  It was later replaced by a larger version also made by Mr Johnson and still currently used by the team.    The version in this photo currently finds its home at Groth Music in Bloomington, MN.

2009 Version Sent to Basra, Iraq

small gjallarhorn
This smaller version of the Gjallarhorn was specially produced for the November 15, 2009 Detroit Lions vs Minnesota Vikings game where the horn was sounded by Minnesota National Guard Captain Dustin Snare live via satellite from Basra, Iraq, while the soldiers of the 34th Infantry stood by waiting to watch the game.

2016 Wildcard Game - TJ Saves the Day!

TJ tells us about making the first gjallarhorn

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