More information about Ari Taskinen’s death – Now the bandmate and the record company are talking

Ari Taskinen was found dead in his hotel room. Antti Nikkanen

Musician Ari Taskinen the death has touched many of his loved ones, colleagues and fans. On Tuesday, it was reported that Taskinen died at the age of 64 from an illness in Dahab, Egypt.

Iltalehti reached the CEO of Stupido Records By Joose Berglund, who had learned about Taskinen’s death and its details over the phone. According to Berglund, a small Finnish community had gathered in Dahab, Egypt, which spends many winters in Dahab. Taskinen was involved in that gathering.

– In the Finnish community, people started to wonder when Taskis could not be seen on the village road. We wondered if he was okay when it was known that he was sick. Then one of them had taken it upon himself to go to Taskinen’s hotel and demanded to get into the room to see if everything was alright, Berglund says

– Then the guy was found on the floor of the room Albert Järvinen -style, if you can say that, he adds, referring to the guitarist who was found dead in a hotel room in 1991 as a result of a heart attack.

Berglund has promised Taskinen’s relatives that he will not tell the reasons for the illness.

– But it is widely known that Ari had, among other things, diabetes. In a way, artist life also took its toll through that, says the CEO.

– He had ended up getting these diseases. He has publicly said that he was close to death a few years ago on a trip to Riga. At that time, despite his diabetes, he ended up using alcohol and forgot his medication. Of course, the artist also had an artist’s lifestyle, which was not the healthiest, if you can say so, he continues.

After hearing about the artist’s death, Berglund went to look at Taskinen’s Facebook page, where the musician had been happy about his 30th anniversary winter in Dahab.

– It was a place he always returned to. Apparently it hasn’t been there for 30 years straight, but every now and then. Somewhat in the same style as his pair of horns Pelle Miljoona visit Indian Goa.

Berglund remembers Task only fondly.

– Ari was a very talented musician and composer who was always looking for something new. He had the soul of an artist and he liked to travel a lot.

– He was always happy and laughing, even though the world sometimes kicked him in the head. The positivity did not leave him and he still smiled, even if his head was in a wrap. That’s why he was a popular companion, says Berglund.

“Take care of”

Musician Tumpi Varonenproperly named Tuomo Vilhelm Valokainen, woke up in the morning to a phone call. It was from the record company: “Ari Taskinen is dead”. The information was shocking – Varonen had known Taskinen since his youth.

– Slightly conflicting thoughts. I was a little worried about his health. Especially when you go on a long trip, you can’t immediately reach the social security area, says Varonen.

– Taskinen was not afraid to travel, and did not help the situation, even though he was told to be careful. He was very self-aware and went his own way, Varonen adds.

The friends played together in the bands Problems and Pelle Miljoonan, among others. The two still had plans to make music together. They had their last conversation two weeks before Taskinen’s death.

– We sent quite matter-of-fact and ordinary text messages. Then they said the same thing as always: “Take care”. Those were the last words, the musician recalls.

– Now he is no longer reachable by the phone, he states and becomes silent.

According to Varonen, the musician was nicknamed Hymy-Taskinen for a reason. The man with a positive attitude did not participate in carrying the band equipment, but always made Varonen smile with his stories. In addition, according to Varonen, Taskinen was a mediator and a person who did not care about money.

– He never spread money, but used it to travel and buy new band equipment. He never owed anything to anyone, the man recalls.