The Iskelmä legend left the performance stages and making music behind in 2023.
Jukka Kuoppamäki receives a memorable recognition. MARKKU VEIJALAINEN
Creator of hundreds of Finnish hits, musician Jukka Kuoppamäki82, said a year and a half ago with a wistful feeling that he was ending his career. He canceled his planned gig in the summer of 2023.
– After more than 60 years of gigging, the moment has come to say that it’s time to hang up the gig guitar, thank and bow, and say goodbye to the concert audience, Kuoppamäki said at the time.
– My heart is full of gratitude and also a touch of longing, Kuoppamäki summed up his feelings.
Now, in honor of the man’s life’s work, two concerts will be organized in March, one of which will be at Stockholm’s Concert Hall, the other at Helsinki’s Kulttuuritalo. Jukka Kuoppamäki is flown from Germany to concerts to witness the memorable recognition.
– Is this a dream, that the old stage fox can still be used as a party prop in his old days? Awesome! Kuoppamäki commented in the press release.
Ville Liimatainen is one of those artists who get to interpret the iskelmälegend’s own songs.
– It is a great honor to be able to attend the concert of such a legend. I’ve been in the mood for this. I must have received Jukka Kuoppamäki’s first album in the third grade A wild bird. My favorite song from Juka can be found on that album, which came out in 1983, i.e I miss my home beachesLiimatainen says, and adds that he wants to perform the song in question at the concert.
He reminds that also Blue and white is an iconic song that cannot be praised too much.
– It is familiar to everyone and has been listened to and sung on an endless cassette.
Ville Liimatainen is one of the admirers of Jukka Kuoppamäki’s music. PAULI MARONEN
Liimatai is somewhat excited by the fact that at the concerts the Maestro is there himself listening to the performances. In addition to him, the hits are interpreted by, among others Arja Koriseva, Antti Railio and Diandra.
– After all, it’s an even more intense performance when the master is there himself. It doesn’t help but put the number one on your neck and start playing Juka’s songs, he laughs.
Singer-songwriter Jukka Kuoppamäki, who started his recording career in 1960, is known for his large catalog of Finnish hits, which he has produced both in his solo career and for other artists. Kuoppamäki’s more than 2,000 songs include, among other things Blue and white, Much remains to be said, Little man, Give me the starry sky and Saddle castle.
The Jukka Kuoppamäki – thanks for the music concerts will take place on March 15 at Stockholm Konserthuset and on March 22 at Helsinki Kulttuuritalo.