The Boys (Finnish band)
| Company type | Rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1964 |
| Founder | Jussi Raittinen, Eero Raittinen |
| Defunct | 2023 |
| Headquarters | Finland |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
The Boys, alternatively known as Eero, Jussi & The Boys or Jussi & The Boys, was a Finnish rock and roll group that remained active from 1964 until 2023. Established by siblings Jussi and Eero Raittinen, the ensemble saw a total of 37 musicians participate throughout its nearly sixty-year history. Many former members went on to achieve recognition in other bands or as solo artists, leading to the band's reputation as the "University of Finnish Rock and Roll".
History
The formation of Eero, Jussi & The Boys took place in April 1964, initiated by brothers Jussi and Eero Raittinen, who had previously played in instrumental rock outfits The Esquires and The Sounds. The original roster consisted of Jussi Raittinen (rhythm guitar, vocals), Eero Raittinen (drums, vocals), Kaj Westerlund (lead guitar), and Harri Sjöberg (bass). Their first single included Finnish-language adaptations of The Beatles' "All My Loving" ("Kaikki rakkauteni") and "Do You Want to Know a Secret" ("Salaisuuteni"). They gained early popularity with a rendition of Roy Orbison's "Oh, Pretty Woman" ("Kaunis nainen"). After Eero departed to pursue a solo career in 1968, the band shortened its name to Jussi & The Boys.
Following a recording break in the late 1960s, The Boys experienced commercial success during the early 1970s. Notably, they won the Syksyn sävel television song contest in 1974 with "Metsämökin tonttu," which became their most successful single, reaching #4 on Finnish charts and remaining in the Top 20 for five months. Their albums Mä tahdon rokata and Pojat asialla earned gold certifications in 1974 and 1975 respectively. After a decline in sales later in the decade, Eero returned to the band in 1980. With a stable lineup featuring Jussi and Eero Raittinen alongside guitarist Eero Lupari, they attracted younger fans through school concert tours throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
Eero departed once more around the year 2000, prompting the group to revert to the name Jussi & The Boys. Guitarist Eero Lupari concluded his 35-year involvement with the band in 2015. Their final studio release, Rokaten tieni meen, appeared in 2023. At their concluding performance held in Helsinki on 17 November 2023, Jussi announced his retirement; he passed away three months later in February 2024. Eero Raittinen died on 16 July 2025.
Final lineup
- Jussi Raittinen – vocals, guitar, bass
- Tuomas Metsberg – guitar, vocals
- Jari Metsberg – guitar
- Eero "Rudy" Ryynänen – drums
- Lasse Sirkko – bass
Noteworthy former members
- Eero Raittinen (drums, vocals; 1964–1968, 1980–1999)
- Pekka Tammilehto (guitar, vocals; 1975–1980)
- Pekka Pohjola (bass; 1969–1970)
- Eero Koivistoinen (saxophone; 1968–1969)
- Olli Haavisto (guitar; 1986–1996)
Discography
- Numero 1 (1965)
- Numero 2 (1966)
- Eero ja Jussi 1960–1970 (1970)
- Mä tahdon rokata (1973)
- Pojat asialla (1974)
- Kantri & rock (1975)
- Kehä kaartuu (1975)
- Mennään melomaan (1976)
- Lapsilta kielletty (1979)
- Hämeentie 38 (1980)
- Numero 3 (1986)
- Parhaat 1973–76 (1989)
- 3 kitaraa (1991)
- Kuoppainen tie (1995)
- 20 suosikkia – Kaunis nainen (1995)
- Shake! (2002)
- Pop Show (2004) (featuring Agents & Jorma Kääriäinen)
- Suomi-Rockin Korkeakoulu (2004)
- Kerran vielä, pojat! (2014)
- Unioninkatu 45 (2018)
- Rokaten tieni meen (2023)