Leevi and the Leavings
Encyclopedia
Leevi and the Leavings was a Finnish
rock
band that operated from 1978 to 2003.
The band consisted of Gösta Sundqvist
, Risto Paananen, Juha Karastie and Niklas Nylund. Sundqvist was the leader of the band, he composed and wrote all the band's songs as well as being the vocalist. Sundqvist was also an interesting character, he rarely gave interviews or appeared on television, although he hosted a radio program for YLE.
The band's music relied heavily on Sundqvist's tragicomic
lyrics and catchy choruses. A good example of the band's style is the song "Teuvo, maanteiden kuningas" ("Teuvo, king of the highways"). The song tells the story of a reckless driver with dreams of becoming a rally driver. Other famous songs are "Rin Tin Tin", a bittersweet reminiscence of a long lost romance, "Unelmia ja toimistohommia" ("Dreams and office work"), "Pohjois-Karjala" ("North Karelia") and "Itkisitkö onnesta" ("Would you cry of happiness"). Many people rate Sundqvist's lyrics the best rock lyrics in Finland, and a television play based on the characters in his songs was produced and broadcast by Finnish TV.
The band was extremely popular, and many of their songs are sung by Finns in karaoke
bars. Leevi was also famous for never performing live. On August 15, 2003, Sundqvist died of a sudden heart attack at the age of 46, and the band decided to quit.
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band that operated from 1978 to 2003.
The band consisted of Gösta Sundqvist
Gösta Sundqvist
Gösta Erik Sundqvist was a famous Finnish musician and radio personality. He was the lead singer for Leevi and the Leavings since the forming of the band. The name "Leevi" is often taken to mean Sundqvist personally, although this is incorrect, and "Leevi" refers to a late friend of the band members...
, Risto Paananen, Juha Karastie and Niklas Nylund. Sundqvist was the leader of the band, he composed and wrote all the band's songs as well as being the vocalist. Sundqvist was also an interesting character, he rarely gave interviews or appeared on television, although he hosted a radio program for YLE.
The band's music relied heavily on Sundqvist's tragicomic
Tragicomedy
Tragicomedy is fictional work that blends aspects of the genres of tragedy and comedy. In English literature, from Shakespeare's time to the nineteenth century, tragicomedy referred to a serious play with either a happy ending or enough jokes throughout the play to lighten the mood.-Classical...
lyrics and catchy choruses. A good example of the band's style is the song "Teuvo, maanteiden kuningas" ("Teuvo, king of the highways"). The song tells the story of a reckless driver with dreams of becoming a rally driver. Other famous songs are "Rin Tin Tin", a bittersweet reminiscence of a long lost romance, "Unelmia ja toimistohommia" ("Dreams and office work"), "Pohjois-Karjala" ("North Karelia") and "Itkisitkö onnesta" ("Would you cry of happiness"). Many people rate Sundqvist's lyrics the best rock lyrics in Finland, and a television play based on the characters in his songs was produced and broadcast by Finnish TV.
The band was extremely popular, and many of their songs are sung by Finns in karaoke
Karaoke
is a form of interactive entertainment or video game in which amateur singers sing along with recorded music using a microphone and public address system. The music is typically a well-known pop song minus the lead vocal. Lyrics are usually displayed on a video screen, along with a moving symbol,...
bars. Leevi was also famous for never performing live. On August 15, 2003, Sundqvist died of a sudden heart attack at the age of 46, and the band decided to quit.
Albums (CD)
Leevi and the Leavings released 16 albums:- Suuteleminen kielletty (Kissing forbidden) (1980)
- Mies, joka toi rock 'n' rollin Suomeen (The man who brought rock 'n' roll to Finland) (1981)
- Kadonnut laakso (The lost valley) (1982)
- Raha ja rakkaus (Money and love ) (1985)
- Perjantai, 14. päivä (Friday the 14th) (1986)
- Häntä koipien välissä (Tail between the legs) (1988)
- Musiikkiluokka (Music class) (1989)
- Varasteleva joulupukki (Thieving Santa Claus) (1990)
- Raparperitaivas (Rhubarb heaven) (1991)
- Turkmenialainen tyttöystävä (Girlfriend from Turkmenistan) (1993)
- Rakkauden planeetta (Planet of love) (1995)
- Käärmenäyttely (Snake exhibition) (1996)
- Kerran elämässä (Once in a lifetime) (1998)
- Bulebule (2000)
- Onnen avaimet (The keys of happiness) (2002)
- Hopeahääpäivä (Silver wedding anniversary) (2003)
Collections (CD)
11 Collection albums:- Leevi And The Leavings (1983)
- Salaiset numerot (Secret Numbers) (1986)
- Unelmia ja toiveita (Dreams and Wishes) (1989)
- Menestyksen salaisuus (The Secret of Success) (1992)
- Leevi and the Leavings (Suomen parhaat) (Best Of Finland)(1994)
- Lauluja rakastamisen vaikeudesta (Songs about the difficulty of loving) (1994)
- Itkisitkö onnesta / 20 suosikkia (Would you cry of happiness / 20 favorites) (1997)
- Keskiviikko... 40 ensimmäistä hittiä (Wednesday... 40 first hits) (1997) - peaked at number 2 in the Finnish charts and was in the charts for 134 weeks
- Torstai... 40 seuraavaa hittiä (Thursday... 40 next hits) (2001)
- Stereogramofoni (Stereogramophone) (2001)
- Keskeneräinen Sinfonia (Unfinished Symphony) (2004)