Hall of Fame

The heart of Music Museum Fame is the Finnish Music Hall of Fame, which grows annually by a number of notable musicians and songwriters. The Finnish Music Hall of Fame is internationally unique: everyone from top musicians to conductors to rappers, from bands to folk musicians, from symphonists to hit musicians is included. The members are elected by an extensive committee representing the most important music organizations in Finland.

1876–1944 AINO ACKTÉ
International Opera Star, promoter of Finnish opera, initiator of Savonlinna Opera Festival
Picture: Photo Albin / Historian kuvakokoelma / Museovirasto

1865–1957 JEAN SIBELIUS
The most widely recognized Finnish classical music composer, national composer, national novelist
Picture: Ivar Rafael Helander / Historian kuvakokoelma / Museovirasto

1902–1981 GEORG MALMSTÉN
King of the hit songs during the time of wars, educated singer, compositions from popular songs to children’s songs
Picture: Heimo Harju / Musiikkiarkisto

1925–1955, 1960– DALLAPÉ
Long term dance orchestra, the voice of accordion jazz, versatile entertainer
Picture: Aarne Pietinen Oy / Helsingin kaupunginmuseo

1915–1992 TOIVO KÄRKI
Leading figure and influencer of post-war popular music, prolific folk musician, jazzman
Picture: UA Saarinen / UA Saarisen kokoelma / JOKA / Museovirasto

1913–1965 REINO HELISMAA
Master lyricist, Toivo Kärje’s Partner, texts from comic songs to movie scripts
Picture: UA Saarinen / UA Saarisen kokoelma / JOKA / Museovirasto

1915–1972 OLAVI VIRTA
The great man of popular music, the king of the Finnish tango, a skilled interpreter and phraser
Picture: Alvar Kolanen / Musiikkiarkisto

1910–1984 KONSTA JYLHÄ
Master of folk music, a delicate violinist and composer, a promoter of Finnish folk music
Picture: Leif Weckström / Pressfoto Zeeland / JOKA / Museovirasto

1945– KATRI HELENA
Successful long-line hit singer, performances from dance floors to entertainment concerts, bringer of hope and joy
Picture: Warner Music Finland

1950–2006 JUICE LESKINEN
A promoter of Finnish rock music, a master of lyrics
Picture: Tuulikki Holopainen / Työväen Arkisto

1996– NIGHTWISH
The most internationally successful metal band in Finland, a pioneer in symphonic metal combining the elements of classical music with the elements of heavy rock, a universal storyteller
Picture: Ville Juurikkala

1952– KAIJA SAARIAHO
One of the most internationally distinguished Finnish composer, a distinctive style based on the sophisticated use of timbre, known for her operas and orchestral works
Picture: Maarit Kytöharju

1958– ESA-PEKKA SALONEN
Created a long and phenomenal internationally successful career as a conductor, a significant and diverse composer, initiator for music politics and conversationalist
Picture: Benjamin Suomela

1971–1984, 1988 HURRIGANES
A pioneer of Finnish rock’n’roll, a messenger of strong basic rock, a role model for new generations, a stage performance and style expert
Picture: Risto Vuorimies