Finland: Fredi the Eurovision 1967 & 1976 act has passed away aged 78

Finland: Fredi the Eurovision 1967 & 1976 act has passed away aged 78
Sunday, 25 April 2021

  • Matti Siitonen more known as Fredi, who represented Finland twice in Eurovision has passed away aged 78. 

    Sad news for the Eurovision family that sees one of its past  participants that has conpeted twice in the contest, Fredi, from Finland has died at the age of 78 years old. 

    Fredi born Matti Kalevi Siitonen on July 23,1942, was a Finnish comedic actor, musician, singer/songwriter and television presenter. Siitonen chose his stage name, Fredi, after the cartoon character, Fred Flintstone.

    He represented his country at the Eurovision Song Contest 1967 in Vienna, Austria with the song "Varjoon - suojaan" ("Into the shadow--into shelter"), which received three points and finished 12th out of 17. Fredi returned to Eurovision in 1976 at The Hague, Netherlands, with the group Fredi & Friends. Their song "Pump-Pump" received 44 points, finishing 11th out of 18.

    In Finland he released a total of 13 studio albums and numerous singles which went to Gold . Fredi had more than 20 Top 10 hit singles, and achieved diamond status with many studio albums like Avaa sydämesi mulle (Open Your Heart to Me) and Rakkauslauluja (Lovesongs). In 2010, Fredi started presenting his own talk show, "Fredin Vieraana" ("Fredi's guests.") His shows included songs at the opening and closing of each episode, and interviews with Finnish musicians and singers.