Erkki Junkkarinen

Erkki Aukusti Junkkarinen ( born April 22, 1929 in Suonenjoki, Finland, † April 9, 2008 in Hämeenlinna, Finland) was a Finnish singer.

He was in 1950 by his record Yksinäinen harmonikka known, but its popularity began to wane in the ensuing years. In the 60s Junkkarinen just took a plate, Ruusut hopeamaljassa, which then had only limited success. In 1975 he published the same songs under the slightly altered name Ruusuja hopeamaljassa. The new edition sold very well, and Junkkarinen received for it the first Finnish platinum record ever. So he rose to become exceptionally great fame and established at the end of the 70s a new humppa wave in Finland.

In the following decade Junkkarinens fame subsided rapidly and he published no more records. However, he continued to perform live on. Junkkarinen was also known for his skill in the pipes.

Albums

• Yksinäinen harmonikka (1950)
• Imatran Inkeri (1951 )
• Ruusut hopeamaljassa (1967 )
• Ruusuja hopeamaljassa (1975)
• Lappeenrantaan (1977 )