Remu Aaltonen
Remu Aaltonen | |
|---|---|
| Born | Henry Olavi Aaltonen January 10, 1948 Helsinki, Finland |
| Other names | Remu |
| Occupation(s) | Vocalist, drummer, singer |
| Years active | 1960s–present |
| Known for | Frontman of the group Hurriganes, solo singing career |
Henry Olavi "Remu" Aaltonen (born 10 January 1948) is a Finnish vocalist and drummer, primarily recognized as the frontman of the group Hurriganes. In addition to his band work, he has developed a solo career as a singer.
Early life
Born in Helsinki, Aaltonen is the eldest among seven biological siblings and one foster child. He belongs to the Romani community. During his childhood, his family resided in a deserted railway carriage near the site where Helsinki Airport was being constructed, illustrating the difficult circumstances faced by Romani families in Finland prior to social advancements in the 1970s.
His father, Otto Aaltonen, battled alcoholism and was frequently absent from home, while his mother, Eeva, earned income through selling moonshine. The moniker "Remu" is believed to originate from the Finnish verb remuta, which means to create noise. Despite this, Aaltonen has mentioned that he was not particularly boisterous as a child.
By sixteen years old, Aaltonen was performing with several bands but also encountered legal troubles, receiving his first prison sentence in 1964 for burglary and related property offenses. He has since been convicted on additional charges involving drug possession.
Musical career
Aaltonen’s early musical inspiration came from American blues music. Although his formal education in music was limited to school instruction, by the early 1970s he had collaborated with artists such as brothers Kirka and Sammy Babitzin.
Following his removal from the band Kalevala due to incarceration, Aaltonen co-established Hurriganes alongside bassist Cisse Häkkinen and guitarist Albert Järvinen. He continues to be the sole founding member remaining in the lineup.
In 1974, Hurriganes temporarily halted their touring activities while Aaltonen served another prison sentence. He attributes his dedication to music as a pivotal factor that prevented him from continuing a life of crime.
Recognition and awards
In 2018, Aaltonen was honored with the Suomi-palkinto (Finland Award) by the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture, acknowledging his significant contributions to the arts.
Solo albums
- No Panic (1978)
- Sound of Hurrigane (1981)
- Zin-Khan (1982)
- Message For You (1983)
- Vilkuilevat silmät (1985, EP)
- Live at Café Metropol (1985, live)
- Viittä vaille kaks (1987)
- Remu plays Hurriganes: Roadrunner Tour (1994)
- In the Spirit of Hurriganes (1995)
- Taikakivi (1999)
- Sticks and Stones (2004)
- Andalusian muistelot (2013)
Other albums
- Games (soundtrack) (2007)
- JuiceRemuDave – Live! (2008)
- Remu and His All Stars: Live at Tullikamari (2018)
Collections
- Parhaat (1987)
- Collection (1990)
- Mad About You (1992)
- Suomen Parhaat – Remu (1994)
- 20 suosikkia – Paholaisen masurkka (1995)
- Remu & Hurriganes: Double Trouble (1997)
- Legendaarinen Remu (2008)
- The Very Best of Remu (2008)
Singles
- "Paholaisen masurkka" (1986)
- "Planeetta" (2009)
Bibliography
- Aaltonen, Remu. Poika varjoiselta kujalta. Helsinki: WSOY, 2007 (3rd ed.).
- Aaltonen, Remu; Honkanen, Nina. Seitsemän ilon kyyneleet. Helsinki: Otava, 1997.
- Aaltonen, Remu; Salo, Markku. Remu. Helsinki: Johnny Kniga, 2016.
- Annala, Jukka; Aaltonen, Remu. Remusanakirja. Helsinki: Teos, 2008.
- Kaila, Kalla; Aaltonen, Remu; Haanpää, Harri. Remu pienellä näyttämöllä. Helsinki: Musta taide, 1994.