Ile Vainio has known Pate Mustajärvi since the 1980s.
Pate Mustajärvi died on Boxing Day. MIKKO HUISKO
Music mogul and lyricist Ilkka “Ile” Vainio knew Pate Mustajärvi since the 1980s. Vainio describes Mustajärvi, who died on Boxing Day, as a “fair, direct and honest king of rock and roll”.
– A fair guy loved by everyone, summarizes Vainio.
The news of Mustajärvi’s death was sad, but sadness was also colored by comfort.
– It feels like he hasn’t gone anywhere. Pate is in our hearts. His laughter and his personality have been strong for everyone and it feels like he is alive all the time, Vainio says.
In December, Vainio participated in Kari Tapio’s memorial concert tour. During that time, Vainio received information about Mustajärvi’s health.
– I was informed that Pate’s illness is more serious. I assumed Pate would be fine with anything. It was a surprise that he left like this, Vainio says.
Vainio says that he admires the fact that in Mustajärvi, even in the midst of difficult times, he continued to share the good news of rock and songs until the end. Vainio also highlights how meaningful Mustajärvi has been for many people.
– He is a good singer, songwriter and lyricist, but also a damn good person. There’s no way you can buy that, Vainio sums up.
Vainio has also shared a couple of different poems about Mustajärvi to his Facebook page. One of them reads as follows.
Pate has welded his songs to hearts,
With Costello, and they will always live that way.
Pate didn’t even die but sings to us,
no champion can put a nail in his coffin.
A thunderbolt rises from the depths of the earth,
shall not use his life an arrow nor a bow.
Immortal Pate the sky,
Finland is the land of Pyhä-Pate,
in our hearts forever he sings saa