Finland: Fredi the 1967 & 1976 Eurovision representative passes away aged 78
Matti Siitonen more known with his stage name Fredi, who represented Finland twice in Eurovision has passed away aged 78.
Sad news for the Eurovision community as one of its former participants in the 70’s , Fredi, from Finland has died aged 78.
Fredi born Matti Kalevi Siitonen on July 23,1942, was a Finnish comedic actor, musician, singer/songwriter and television presenter. Siitonen chose his stage name, Fredi, after the cartoon character, Fred Flintstone.
He represented his country at the Eurovision Song Contest 1967 in Vienna, Austria with the song “Varjoon – suojaan” (“Into the shadow–into shelter”), which received three points and finished 12th out of 17. Fredi returned to Eurovision in 1976 at The Hague, Netherlands, with the group Fredi & Friends. Their song “Pump-Pump” received 44 points, finishing 11th out of 18.
In Finland he released a total of 13 studio albums and numerous singles which went to Gold . Fredi had more than 20 Top 10 hit singles, and achieved diamond status with many studio albums like Avaa sydämesi mulle (Open Your Heart to Me) and Rakkauslauluja (Lovesongs). In 2010, Fredi started presenting his own talk show, “Fredin Vieraana” (“Fredi’s guests.”) His shows included songs at the opening and closing of each episode, and interviews with Finnish musicians and singers.
News source: YLE
Image: Kimmo Mäntylä / Lehtikuva
