The Tampere International Music Walk of Fame, celebrating its fifth anniversary, will unveil new star plaques again on September 27, 2024. On that day, the following will receive their stars on the street: Kaj Chydenius, Pave Maijanen, PMMP, Aino Ackté, Toivo Kärki, Jaakko Ryhänen, Juhani Merimaa, and Virve ”Vicky” Rosti.
Located on Åkerlundinkatu in the Tulli area, the Walk of Fame honors key figures in the Finnish and international music industry at the birthplace of Manserock. Each year, 3 to 8 new stars are added based on public nominations. To date, thirty notable figures from the music industry have been commemorated on the street. There was significant interest in the star selection this year, with a total of 1,225 suggestions submitted.
In selecting the stars, considerations included their distribution across different genders, geographical areas, and representatives from various time periods. The recipients represent music on a national level while also acknowledging the heritage of Tampere.
”The Culture and Leisure Committee held a thorough discussion before making the decision and unanimously supported this diverse proposal that highlights various eras and music genres. The star plaques honor the significant careers of the artists and music influencers being recognized,” says Matti Helimo, Deputy Mayor responsible for cultural services in Tampere.
Stars of 2024
Kaj Chydenius (1939–2024) emerged as a significant figure in the political song movement and stage music during the 1960s and 70s. His work encompasses a wide range of musical styles and genres: pop songs, political songs, theater and film music, children’s songs, cabaret performances, hymns, choral works, chamber music, and oratorios. Chydenius was awarded for his significant contributions to Finnish music, including the Pro Finlandia medal in 1996 and the State Prize for Arts in 2006. His influence on Finnish music and culture has been long-lasting and significant. Kaj Chydenius passed away at the age of 84 in Helsinki in 2024, leaving a unique mark on Finnish music history.
Pave Maijanen (1950–2021) was one of the most versatile figures in the Finnish music scene, whose impact was far-reaching. He was both a respected musician and producer, known particularly in the 1980s as one of the country’s most popular singers. Additionally, Pave Maijanen was recognized for his diverse musical talents and roles in various music projects. Having a long career, Maijanen rose to fame with his 1980s hits “Pidä huolta,” “Lähtisitkö,” and “Jano.” Pave Maijanen passed away in Helsinki in 2021. His influence on the Finnish music scene was significant, and his music has left a lasting legacy in Finnish music culture.
PMMP is one of the most significant Finnish bands of the 2000s. Vocalists Paula Vesala and Mira Luoti founded the band in 2003. Over ten years, PMMP achieved exceptional success, winning nine Emma awards and releasing seven albums, selling hundreds of thousands of copies. The band was known not only for their hits but also for their energetic performances, which were sold-out tours one after another. PMMP quickly became known for their diverse musical style, which combined pop, rock, and punk. Some of the band’s most famous songs include “Rusketusraidat,” “Matkalaulu,” “Joutsenet,” and “Lautturi.” The band stopped touring in 2013 but announced in 2023 that they would make a comeback, performing at two sold-out concerts at the Olympic Stadium in August 2024, as well as at several festivals during the summer of 2024.
Aino Ackté (1876–1944) was an international opera star and promoter of Finnish opera, playing a central role in launching the Savonlinna Opera Festival. She was the most significant Finnish singer of the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, rising from a lyric soprano at the Paris Opera to a star of European dramatic opera. Ackté achieved her greatest international success in the role of Salome, representing the modernism of her time. Later, she directed her musicality and work capacity toward promoting domestic opera, becoming a notable cultural figure in the early 20th century.
Toivo Kärki (1915–1992) was a significant Finnish composer, pianist, and conductor who greatly influenced the development of post-war popular music. He collaborated with many well-known lyricists and was regarded as a respected producer in the industry. Kärki’s compositions have been recorded approximately 1,330 times, with many having multiple versions. His music was heard in plays, films, revues, and radio programs. Some of Toivo Kärki’s most well-known compositions include “Lentävä kalakukko,” “Jos vielä oot vapaa,” “Vanha salakuljettaja Laitinen,” and “Reppu ja reissumies.” His musical legacy continues to thrive strongly in Finnish popular and tango music.
Jaakko Ryhänen (1945–present) is one of the most renowned basses of our time. His career began in the early 1970s, and since then, he has sung major bass roles in the opera repertoire in the world’s most important opera houses. Ryhänen has had a significant international concert soloist career and numerous recordings, in addition to a long career as a singing pedagogue. He has also served as a professor at the Sibelius Academy and as a professor and head of the vocal department at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre in Tallinn. Ryhänen has received various awards, including the Pro Finlandia medal (1988) and the Lea Piltti award from the Finnish Cultural Foundation (2024) for his successful international artistic career.
Juhani Merimaa (1947–present) has been a significant influencer in the Finnish music business for nearly four decades. He served as the managing director of Finland’s legendary rock club Tavastia from 1980 until 2023, when he retired. Merimaa has also played a key role in leading the Ankkarock and Ruisrock festivals and is regarded as the man who brought rock ’n’ roll to Finland. His contributions to the development and promotion of the Finnish music scene have been substantial. Under Merimaa’s leadership, Tavastia has risen to be an internationally respected live club, while Ankkarock and Ruisrock have established themselves as some of Finland’s largest and most popular festivals.
Virve ”Vicky” Rosti (1958–present) is an award-winning artist with a long and successful career, having received the Iskelmä-Finlandia award in 2019 and the Special Emma award for her significant career in recorded music in 2022. Some of her most famous hit songs include “Kun Chicago kuoli,” “Tuolta saapuu Charlie Brown,” and “Näinkö aina meille täällä käy.” Rosti represented Finland at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1987 in Brussels with the song “Sata salamaa.” Virve Rosti is also known as the lead vocalist of the band Menneisyyden vangit and has performed over 5,000 gigs with various groups throughout Finland. Her extensive musical output and energetic performances have made Rosti one of Finland’s most beloved and recognized artists.
The board of Suomen Musiikki & Media-Tapahtumat S.M.M. Oy annually presents the star nominees to the Tampere Culture and Leisure Committee, which makes the final decision. The proposal is based on public suggestions.
The Tampere Walk of Fame is supported by the City of Tampere, the Music x Media event, Tampere Hall, and Bauer Media.
Tähtikatu – Walk of Fame Finland
Article cover image: Miikka Varila
Tähtikatu images: Laura Happo