Kari Tapio

Kari Tapio (born Kari Tapani Jalkanen, November 22 1945 in Suonenjoki, Finland) is a Finnish schlager-singer. He has been one of the most popular singers in Finland for decades.

In the 1960s Tapio performed in his current home city Pieksämäki with the local bands "ER-Quartet" and "Jami & The Noisemakers". In 1966 he got some singing teaching from Ture Ara.

After his first single "Tuuli kääntyköön"/"Niskavuoren nuorimmainen" in 1972 Kari Tapio performed in Ilkka "Danny" Lipsanen's show. In the beginning his role was to take care of the snake that was used in the show. Before the time music became his main work Kari Tapio worked as a typesetter in a printing house.

In 1976 Tapio finally break trough with his single "Laula kanssain" ("Sing With Me") which was followed by "Viisitoista kesää" ("Fifteen Summers") and "Kaipuu" ("Desire"). In the later years "Olen suomalainen" ("I am Finnish"), "Myrskyn jälkeen" ("After the Storm"), "En pyydä paljon" ("I Don't Demand Much") and the newest "Paalupaikka" ("Pole Position") have been few of his most popular songs. In 2003 the Iskelmä-Finlandia trophy was awarded to him.

Many of Tapio's songs are influences by country music. He has done lots of Finnish versions from the songs of Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Kris Kristoffersson.

Tapio was one of the candidates to represent Finland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 with the song "Valaise yö". In the final, he was placed second, and Teräsbetoni was chosen to represent Finland.

Discography

Albums

* "Aikapommi" (1974) (with Erkki Liikanen)
* "Nostalgiaa" (1976)
* "Klabbi" (1976)
* "Kaipuu" (1977)
* "Kari Tapio" (1979)
* "Jää vierellein" (1981)
* "Olen suomalainen" (1983)
* "Ovi elämään" (1984)
* "Osa minusta" (1986)
* "Elämän viulut" (1987)
* "Tää kaipuu" (1988)
* "Aikaan täysikuun" (1990)
* "Yön tuuli vain" (1992)
* "Sinitaikaa" (1993)
* "Laulaja" (1994)
* "Myrskyn jälkeen" (1995) #23
* "Meren kuisketta" (1997) #9
* "Sinut tulen aina muistamaan" (1998) #7
* "Valoon päin" (1999) #5
* "Bella Capri" (2000) #6
* "Kari Tapio konserttilavalla" (2001) #30
* "Joulun tarina" (2001)
* "Juna kulkee" (2003) #4
* "Toiset on luotuja kulkemaan" (2004) #5
* "Paalupaikka" (2005) #5
* "Kuin taivaisiin" (2007) #1
* "Kaksi maailmaa" (March 26 2008)

Compilations

* "28 suosituinta levytystä" (1987)
* "Toivotut" (1992)
* "Viisitoista kesää" (1995)
* "20 suosikkia - Olen suomalainen" (1995)
* "20 suosikkia - Luoksesi Tukholmaan" (1997)
* "Parhaat" (1997)
* "Kaikki parhaat" (1999) #2
* "20 suosikkia - Kulkurin kyyneleet" (2001)
* "20 suosikkia - Sanoit liian paljon" (2001)
* "Kaikkien aikojen parhaat - 40 klassikkoa" (2002) #17
* "Nostalgia" (2005)
* "Lauluja rakkaudesta" (2006) #13