Drummer Ippe Kätkä died on Wednesday.
Ismo “Ippe” Kätkä as drummer of the band Royals in Kaivopuisto in 1976. Keijo Laajisto / Wikimedia Commons CC BY 4.0
Singers Katja Kätkä and Virpi Kätkä remember the late drummer Ippe Kätkä. Ippe was the sisters’ father’s cousin.
Katja describes Ippe as a skilled and respected drummer.
– His playing skills were phenomenal. I really appreciated it, says Virpi.
Ippea and related girls were united not only by a musical background but also by a recognizable last name. Both Virpi and Katja have been able to hear Ippe’s comments and questions during their careers.
– At concerts, especially older people ask me if Ippe Kätkä is related to me, Katja tells Iltalehte.
– He was a musical legend and an influencer who stayed in people’s minds, says Virpi.
The sisters had not seen Ippe for many years. According to Katja, the well-known drummer was introverted by nature and did not enjoy being around people. The everyday life of a musician kept Ippe busy, says Virpi.
– He was a closed artist persona, Virpi characterizes.
Virpi says that they met at a family party, but the sisters were more in touch with the rest of the family and, for example, Ippe’s sons and father.
Once, Virpi also met Ippe’s neighbor at an art exhibition, who had taken care of the retired drummer. The neighbor took a picture of Virpi as a greeting to Ippe.
– He was a really sensitive, warm-hearted and wonderful person, Katja describes.
Katja and Virpi Kätkä form the Catcat duo. Mikko Huisko
Ismo “Ippe” Kätkä was a well-known drummer, composer and record producer. He played in the band Royals, among others Pave Maijanen and Albert Järvinen with.
Other ensembles in Kätkä included, for example, Anssi Tikanmäki Filmorchestra, Pekka Pohjola Group and Jazzgansters. He also played, among other things Clear, Juice Leskinen and Ismo Alangon in background bands, in addition to which he composed music for films, plays and auditions and worked as a music teacher.
Born and raised in Seinäjoki, Kätkä lived his last years in Kristiinakaupunki. He died on Wednesday, May 6. Kätkä was 78 years old when he died.