Gunnar Graps
Encyclopedia
Gunnar Graps-Grafs was a popular Estonia
n musician and one of the pioneers of hard rock
in Estonia
and Soviet Union
. He has sold hundreds of thousands of records all over the world and in 2004 Graps was given a lifetime award at Estonian Music Awards. He has been compared to Mick Jagger
and Alice Cooper
, both who were his own personal idols, and is often called Raudmees (Iron man).
. In 1964, being only 13, he joined his first band Satelliidid as a guitarist. In spring of 1967 Graps joined Mikronid, where he played drums for the next six years. In 1970-1972 he was in the army and during that period he performed with Ivo Linna
. He spent another year behind the drums in Mikronid after his return from military service. In spring 1968 Jüri Lina recorded about ten Mikrokonid songs which also included Graps' creation for his show "Pobifo Revüü".
in 1973, which was one of the pioneers of hard rock
in Estonia
and the Soviet Union
(Estonia was part of the USSR at the time). Ornament's music was influenced by Led Zeppelin
and psychedelic rock
. In 1976 Graps put together a new outfit called Magnetic Band
which was Jazz-rock oriented, with reggae
and funk
-soul
influences.
In 1977 Graps graduated from Tallinn music school, from the percussion instrument
s department. Soon after that he reformed his group and they started leaning towards hard rock
. Soon Magnetic Band became one of the most popular heavy-music bands in the Soviet Union
. They won first prize at the first official rock-festival
of the Soviet Union which took place in Tbilisi
thanks to their hit "Lady Blues" and became the stars of "Yerevan-81" international pop-rock-festival. "Garbed in fire-engine red pants and white shirt decorated with a splashy 7-Up emblem, Graps sang: "Since we have nowhere else to make love/we do it out in the open/And sometimes the rain washes away the makeup/from her face—and mine", wrote "Time" magazine in 1981.
(Gunnar Graps Group). The change also marked a shift towards straight forward hard rock and heavy metal, genres which Magnetic Band were already flirting with (Note: all the musical groups in Soviet Union had to be evaluated before they were allowed to perform or exist at all).
New winds began to blow in the Soviet Union as Mikhail Gorbachev
took the seat of the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union
and GGG experienced less resistance from authorities. In 1988 they released their only LP entitled "Põlemine" (Burning). The vinyl was issued by Melodjia, a Soviet record company - the only one in the whole USSR. Distribution of the record was very high. At the time, GGG consisted of Gunnar Graps (drums, percussion, vocals, keyboards), Juri Stihhanov (lead guitar), Andres Aak (now known as Angela Aak, rhythm guitar), Jüri Roosa (bass guitar) and Tiit Altosaar (drums on some songs, as Graps tended to perform most drumming (along with singing) himself). They performed in Estonia and the rest of the Soviet Union and were very popular until their fade in the end of decade. Their most popular songs were "Põlemine" (Burning), "Valgus" (Light), the ballad "Mosaiik" (Mosaic), "Raudmees" (Iron Man) - a song which gave Graps his nickname.
As the grip on the Baltic states
became less of a strangle-hold, the Singing Revolution
began to take shape.
In 1987 a choir composed of well-known Estonian singers, Gunnar Graps among them, recorded Alo Mattiisen
's song "Ei ole üksi ükski maa", a patriotic song about Estonia.
In 1989 Gunnar Graps moved to the USA in the hopes of reaching new heights with his musical career but, alas, failed to reach those previous lofty heights and was compelled to work as a repairman - to "make ends meet".
border with anabolic steroids and was imprisoned for two months in Sweden. He did not complain about his imprisonment; in fact, he praised the jail as being better than restaurants in Estonia. After his release, Graps came back to Estonia. Financial problems arose once more and he was compelled to work at local radio stations and night-clubs as a DJ, playing music he hated. In 1995 Graps released "Tühjad pihud" (Empty Hands) and reformed GGG
the next year, performing circa once a month. Graps was becoming more and more depressed.
played in front of approx. 600 people at Green Christmas Festival in Rakvere
, Estonia
.
Despite his health problems Graps did not want to give up on music and in 2003 he released "Rajalt maas" (Off the Track), which had a strong blues
influence. In one of his last interviews Graps promised to go on tour in Russia
, because he was disappointed in the local music scene. Three months before his death he was still looking forward to continue his career and in an interview for Sakala, an Estonian newspaper, he promised to release a new album by the end of 2004 and another record in 2005. On 17 May 2004, at the age of 52, Gunnar Graps died of a heart attack at his home on Mooni street in Tallinn.
has said that Gunnar Graps means the same to Estonian metal as Black Sabbath
means to the world.
Also, numerous tribute events have spawned, paying homage to the early departed musician. These events are orchestrated by Radio Mania, a local radio station, and Hard Rock Club, local events promoter and take place around Graps' birthday month and death month. A string of local bands usually perform at the event along with incarnations of GGG or Magnetic Band, with people Graps used to play with. Gunnar Graps was inducted into the Hall Of Fame of Rock Cafe, a local pub (operated by the owners of Radio Mania, also the place where the tribute events take place), on May 17, 2005.
In December 2005, Hard Rock Club started collecting funds to erect a memorial headstone at Graps' grave. A fund-rising concert was held on 5 March 2006 at Rock Cafe in Tallinn. The stone was designed by Graps' son Jan Graps and placed on his grave at Rahumäe cemetery
on 17 May 2006.
A cover band - Gunnar's Roses - was also active at some point during 2005-2006, performing at Hard Rock Laager in 2005 (a heavy metal festival created by Hard Rock Club) and at smaller pubs. The band was put together by Henri "Suss" Hinno (drummer of Manatark and Must Missa) who took the role of the drummer. Hinno is known to be a big fan of Graps' work and sang "Mosaiik" live with Gunnar's Roses.
of Metallica
used to have, which was essentially trying to sing from the throat to produce a raspier sound. A very busy schedule contributed to the development of his signature rasp. It was not uncommon for Graps to perform even 3 shows per day and 25 days in a month. He was still able to produce very high notes, as is evident from his songs and Jesus Christ Superstar
song Gethsamene, which is included on the Gunnar Graps - Eesti kullafond 4. He is known to have trained his voice, by yelling at walls ; he usually did it before going on stage.
GGG
Solo
Compilation
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
n musician and one of the pioneers of hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
in Estonia
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
and Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
. He has sold hundreds of thousands of records all over the world and in 2004 Graps was given a lifetime award at Estonian Music Awards. He has been compared to Mick Jagger
Mick Jagger
Sir Michael Philip "Mick" Jagger is an English musician, singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist and a founding member of The Rolling Stones....
and Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper is an American rock singer, songwriter and musician whose career spans more than four decades...
, both who were his own personal idols, and is often called Raudmees (Iron man).
Start of music career, 1960s
Graps was turned to music by his father at the age of six when he started to learn celloCello
The cello is a bowed string instrument with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is a member of the violin family of musical instruments, which also includes the violin, viola, and double bass. Old forms of the instrument in the Baroque era are baryton and viol .A person who plays a cello is...
. In 1964, being only 13, he joined his first band Satelliidid as a guitarist. In spring of 1967 Graps joined Mikronid, where he played drums for the next six years. In 1970-1972 he was in the army and during that period he performed with Ivo Linna
Ivo Linna
Ivo Linna is an Estonian singer.He represented Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest 1996 with the song "Kaelakee Hääl" which would go onto finish 5th at the contest, held in Oslo that year....
. He spent another year behind the drums in Mikronid after his return from military service. In spring 1968 Jüri Lina recorded about ten Mikrokonid songs which also included Graps' creation for his show "Pobifo Revüü".
Golden-Age of his music, 1970s
After leaving the group "Mikronid" Graps created OrnamentOrnament
An ornament is something used for decoration.Ornament may also refer to:*Christmas ornaments, an ornament hung from a Christmas tree*Ornament , purely decorative elements in architecture and the decorative arts*Ornament *Ornamental plant...
in 1973, which was one of the pioneers of hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
in Estonia
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
and the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
(Estonia was part of the USSR at the time). Ornament's music was influenced by Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
and psychedelic rock
Psychedelic rock
Psychedelic rock is a style of rock music that is inspired or influenced by psychedelic culture and attempts to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs. It emerged during the mid 1960s among folk rock and blues rock bands in United States and the United Kingdom...
. In 1976 Graps put together a new outfit called Magnetic Band
Magnetic Band
-History:Magnetic Band was formed in 1976 by Gunnar Graps. They played jazz-rock, which had influences of reggae and funk-soul. Later, after Graps graduated from Tallinn music school , Magnetic Band was reformed and started to play metal-rock as well...
which was Jazz-rock oriented, with reggae
Reggae
Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.Reggae is based...
and funk
Funk
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground...
-soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
influences.
In 1977 Graps graduated from Tallinn music school, from the percussion instrument
Percussion instrument
A percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration...
s department. Soon after that he reformed his group and they started leaning towards hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
. Soon Magnetic Band became one of the most popular heavy-music bands in the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
. They won first prize at the first official rock-festival
Tbilisi Rock Festival (1980)
The Spring Rhythms. Tbilisi-80 was a musical event held in Tbilisi, capital of the Georgian SSR, Soviet Union, from March 8 to March 16, 1980. It was the first official rock festival in the Soviet Union and is frequently considered the turning point in the history of Soviet and Russian rock...
of the Soviet Union which took place in Tbilisi
Tbilisi
Tbilisi is the capital and the largest city of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Mt'k'vari River. The name is derived from an early Georgian form T'pilisi and it was officially known as Tiflis until 1936...
thanks to their hit "Lady Blues" and became the stars of "Yerevan-81" international pop-rock-festival. "Garbed in fire-engine red pants and white shirt decorated with a splashy 7-Up emblem, Graps sang: "Since we have nowhere else to make love/we do it out in the open/And sometimes the rain washes away the makeup/from her face—and mine", wrote "Time" magazine in 1981.
At the top, 1980s
His popularity peaked in the eighties. "Magnetic Band" constantly toured the Soviet Union. In 1982, Washington Post dedicated a whole page to Gunnar Graps and the Magnetic Band. It was no surprise that in 1983 "Magnetic Band" got banned by the Soviet authorities, which led to creation of GGGGunnar Graps Group
The Gunnar Graps Group was an Estonian rock group formed by Gunnar Graps in January, 1984 in Tallinn after his previous Magnetic Band was banned by Soviet authorities. In 1980s the GGG achieved popularity also in Russia....
(Gunnar Graps Group). The change also marked a shift towards straight forward hard rock and heavy metal, genres which Magnetic Band were already flirting with (Note: all the musical groups in Soviet Union had to be evaluated before they were allowed to perform or exist at all).
New winds began to blow in the Soviet Union as Mikhail Gorbachev
Mikhail Gorbachev
Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev is a former Soviet statesman, having served as General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1985 until 1991, and as the last head of state of the USSR, having served from 1988 until its dissolution in 1991...
took the seat of the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union
General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union
General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union was the title given to the leader of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. With some exceptions, the office was synonymous with leader of the Soviet Union...
and GGG experienced less resistance from authorities. In 1988 they released their only LP entitled "Põlemine" (Burning). The vinyl was issued by Melodjia, a Soviet record company - the only one in the whole USSR. Distribution of the record was very high. At the time, GGG consisted of Gunnar Graps (drums, percussion, vocals, keyboards), Juri Stihhanov (lead guitar), Andres Aak (now known as Angela Aak, rhythm guitar), Jüri Roosa (bass guitar) and Tiit Altosaar (drums on some songs, as Graps tended to perform most drumming (along with singing) himself). They performed in Estonia and the rest of the Soviet Union and were very popular until their fade in the end of decade. Their most popular songs were "Põlemine" (Burning), "Valgus" (Light), the ballad "Mosaiik" (Mosaic), "Raudmees" (Iron Man) - a song which gave Graps his nickname.
As the grip on the Baltic states
Baltic states
The term Baltic states refers to the Baltic territories which gained independence from the Russian Empire in the wake of World War I: primarily the contiguous trio of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania ; Finland also fell within the scope of the term after initially gaining independence in the 1920s.The...
became less of a strangle-hold, the Singing Revolution
Singing Revolution
The Singing Revolution is a commonly used name for events between 1987 and 1991 that led to the restoration of the independence of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania...
began to take shape.
In 1987 a choir composed of well-known Estonian singers, Gunnar Graps among them, recorded Alo Mattiisen
Alo Mattiisen
Alo Mattiisen was an Estonian composer most known for his patriotic melodies, several of which became a staple of the Singing Revolution.- Education :...
's song "Ei ole üksi ükski maa", a patriotic song about Estonia.
In 1989 Gunnar Graps moved to the USA in the hopes of reaching new heights with his musical career but, alas, failed to reach those previous lofty heights and was compelled to work as a repairman - to "make ends meet".
Start of decline, 1990s
After Estonia regained its independence in 1991 Graps returned to his homeland. In the summer of 1993 he was caught, while working as a DJ at the nightclub on the ferryboat "Estonia", trying to cross the SwedishSweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
border with anabolic steroids and was imprisoned for two months in Sweden. He did not complain about his imprisonment; in fact, he praised the jail as being better than restaurants in Estonia. After his release, Graps came back to Estonia. Financial problems arose once more and he was compelled to work at local radio stations and night-clubs as a DJ, playing music he hated. In 1995 Graps released "Tühjad pihud" (Empty Hands) and reformed GGG
Gunnar Graps Group
The Gunnar Graps Group was an Estonian rock group formed by Gunnar Graps in January, 1984 in Tallinn after his previous Magnetic Band was banned by Soviet authorities. In 1980s the GGG achieved popularity also in Russia....
the next year, performing circa once a month. Graps was becoming more and more depressed.
Last years
Starting the new millennium Graps was still having financial troubles and performed in a series of Hansapank© pension fund commercials. The commercials included a word play of "Tühjad pihud" (Empty Hands) record. In 2002 a 3 CD collection of Gunnar Graps' music, from all his tenures with past bands, was released as part of "Eesti kullafond" (Estionian Gold Fund) series. In 2003, Gunnar Graps performed at one of his last big concerts before death. An incarnation of Magnetic BandMagnetic Band
-History:Magnetic Band was formed in 1976 by Gunnar Graps. They played jazz-rock, which had influences of reggae and funk-soul. Later, after Graps graduated from Tallinn music school , Magnetic Band was reformed and started to play metal-rock as well...
played in front of approx. 600 people at Green Christmas Festival in Rakvere
Rakvere
Rakvere is a town in northern Estonia and the county seat of Lääne-Viru County, 20 km south of the Gulf of Finland.-History:The earliest signs of human settlement dating back to the 3rd-5th centuries AD have been found on the present theatre hill. Probably to protect that settlement, a wooden...
, Estonia
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
.
Despite his health problems Graps did not want to give up on music and in 2003 he released "Rajalt maas" (Off the Track), which had a strong blues
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
influence. In one of his last interviews Graps promised to go on tour in Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, because he was disappointed in the local music scene. Three months before his death he was still looking forward to continue his career and in an interview for Sakala, an Estonian newspaper, he promised to release a new album by the end of 2004 and another record in 2005. On 17 May 2004, at the age of 52, Gunnar Graps died of a heart attack at his home on Mooni street in Tallinn.
Legacy
Gunnar Graps is considered a rock idol by Estonians. Another popular Estonian band MetsatöllMetsatöll
Metsatöll is an Estonian folk metal band.The name "Metsatöll" is an ancient Estonian euphemism for wolf, which is reflected in the harshness of their lyrics...
has said that Gunnar Graps means the same to Estonian metal as Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
means to the world.
Also, numerous tribute events have spawned, paying homage to the early departed musician. These events are orchestrated by Radio Mania, a local radio station, and Hard Rock Club, local events promoter and take place around Graps' birthday month and death month. A string of local bands usually perform at the event along with incarnations of GGG or Magnetic Band, with people Graps used to play with. Gunnar Graps was inducted into the Hall Of Fame of Rock Cafe, a local pub (operated by the owners of Radio Mania, also the place where the tribute events take place), on May 17, 2005.
In December 2005, Hard Rock Club started collecting funds to erect a memorial headstone at Graps' grave. A fund-rising concert was held on 5 March 2006 at Rock Cafe in Tallinn. The stone was designed by Graps' son Jan Graps and placed on his grave at Rahumäe cemetery
Rahumäe cemetery
Rahumäe cemetery is a cemetery located at Rahumäe in Nõmme District, Tallinn, Estonia. This municipal cemetery was established in 1903 on 29 hectares of land to meet the needs of the growing population of Tallinn. A number of congregations are present including a Jewish section established in 1909...
on 17 May 2006.
A cover band - Gunnar's Roses - was also active at some point during 2005-2006, performing at Hard Rock Laager in 2005 (a heavy metal festival created by Hard Rock Club) and at smaller pubs. The band was put together by Henri "Suss" Hinno (drummer of Manatark and Must Missa) who took the role of the drummer. Hinno is known to be a big fan of Graps' work and sang "Mosaiik" live with Gunnar's Roses.
Singing style
Gunnar Graps' singing style was somewhat similar to the style James HetfieldJames Hetfield
James Alan Hetfield is the rhythm guitarist, co-founder, main songwriter, and lead vocalist for the American heavy metal band Metallica. Hetfield co-founded Metallica in October 1981 after answering a classified advertisement by drummer Lars Ulrich in the Los Angeles newspaper The Recycler,...
of Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
used to have, which was essentially trying to sing from the throat to produce a raspier sound. A very busy schedule contributed to the development of his signature rasp. It was not uncommon for Graps to perform even 3 shows per day and 25 days in a month. He was still able to produce very high notes, as is evident from his songs and Jesus Christ Superstar
Jesus Christ Superstar
Jesus Christ Superstar is a rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber, with lyrics by Tim Rice. The musical started off as a rock opera concept recording before its first staging on Broadway in 1971...
song Gethsamene, which is included on the Gunnar Graps - Eesti kullafond 4. He is known to have trained his voice, by yelling at walls ; he usually did it before going on stage.
Partial discography
Magnetic BandMagnetic Band
-History:Magnetic Band was formed in 1976 by Gunnar Graps. They played jazz-rock, which had influences of reggae and funk-soul. Later, after Graps graduated from Tallinn music school , Magnetic Band was reformed and started to play metal-rock as well...
- "Magnetic bandMagnetic Band-History:Magnetic Band was formed in 1976 by Gunnar Graps. They played jazz-rock, which had influences of reggae and funk-soul. Later, after Graps graduated from Tallinn music school , Magnetic Band was reformed and started to play metal-rock as well...
", (1978, LP) Issued by soviet record company Melodjia - "Roosid papale" (Roses For Papa) (1981, LP) Issued by Melodija
GGG
Gunnar Graps Group
The Gunnar Graps Group was an Estonian rock group formed by Gunnar Graps in January, 1984 in Tallinn after his previous Magnetic Band was banned by Soviet authorities. In 1980s the GGG achieved popularity also in Russia....
- "Põlemine" (Burning) (1988, LP) Issued by Melodija
Solo
- "Tühjad pihud" (Empty Hands) (1995, CD) Issued by Elwood
- "Rajalt maas" (Off The Track) (2003, CD/MC) Issued by Elwood
Compilation
- "Gunnar Graps - Eesti kullafond 4" (2002, 3CD/3MC) TT Rec
Literature
- (in Russian) A. Alexeev, A. Burlaka, A. Sidorov "Who's Who in the Soviet rock", M., "Ostankino" Publishing, 1991.
Videos
- Gunnar Graps & Magnetic Band - "Selles meeletus ilmas"
- Gunnar Graps & Magnetic Band - "Hingeleegid"
- GGG - "Valgus", performed at TartuTartuTartu is the second largest city of Estonia. In contrast to Estonia's political and financial capital Tallinn, Tartu is often considered the intellectual and cultural hub, especially since it is home to Estonia's oldest and most renowned university. Situated 186 km southeast of Tallinn, the...
Levimuusikapäevad in 1987 - Alo Mattiisen - "Ei ole üksi ükski maa"