Now the father of the original Masters in the Arena concept is speaking

The champions in the arena quartet include Ellinoora (left), Kaija Koo, Jenni Vartiainen and Vesala. Viivi Huuska

Last week, the record company Warner Music introduced a new line-up, Mestarit arena, which will be touring Finland. The line-up includes Kaija Koo, Jenni VartiainenVesala and Ellinoora.

The masters in the arena name reuse with new artists has aroused outrage.

– That trick has taken the mold out of my mouth. I can’t even say anything. It is so insane, it belonged to the original Masters Pepe Willberg said earlier last week To Helsingin Sanomat and likened it to the grave robbery.

The champions included, in the late 1990s, in addition to Willberg Pave MaijanenHector and Kirka.

The composition was invented Antero “Ande” Päiväläinen.

– New times, new ways. Everything has gone according to law. Companies and people can have new ideas, and Warner has set out to implement his own idea, Päiväläinen tells Iltalehti.

At the same time, he has enough understanding for Pepe Willberg and Hector.

– Morally, original artists can be hurt, of course.

Päiväläinen says that he has been curiously following the now surging debate.

– Quite a few feel hot for the old Masters, Päiväläinen smiles.

The name Masters itself was originally invented by a music influencer Lasse Norres at a common meeting table.

– It had all sorts of name suggestions until Norres invented that Masters. The word arena later came along.

The popularity of the champions came as a surprise to Päiväläinen.

– No one would have thought that this could happen in Finland.

The popularity was unprecedented, all the arenas were sold out and the quartet even performed in front of 36,000 spectators at the Olympic Stadium. This was the first concert of a Finnish ensemble at the Olympic Stadium.

Of the new Masters, Päiväläinen has nothing bad to say, and he believes the tour will be good.