Located on Åkerlundinkatu in the Tulli area, the Walk of Fame celebrates and honors key figures in the domestic and international music industry at the birthplace of Manserock. Each year, 3-8 new stars are added to the street based on public suggestions. So far, thirty significant figures in the music industry have been immortalized on the street. Interest in the selection of stars was again high, with as many as 1,225 suggestions received.
When selecting stars, consideration has been given to their distribution among different genders, geographically, and representatives of different eras. The recipients of the stars represent music nationally but also take into account Tampere’s heritage.
- The Culture and Leisure Committee had a thorough discussion before the decision and unanimously supported this proposal, which highlights various eras and music genres. The star plaques honor the significant careers of the recognized artists and music influencers in many ways, says Matti Helimo, Deputy Mayor responsible for Tampere’s educational services.
Composer Kaj Chydenius (1939–2024) emerged as a significant figure in the political song movement and stage music in the 1960s and 70s. His production covers a wide range of musical styles and genres: pop songs, political songs, theater and film music, children’s songs, cabaret performances, hymns, choral works, chamber music, and oratorios. Chydenius has been awarded for his significant contribution to Finnish music, such as the Pro Finlandia medal in 1996 and the State Prize for Art in 2006. His influence on Finnish music and culture has been long-lasting and significant. Kaj Chydenius passed away at the age of 84 in Helsinki in 2024. His creative work left a unique mark on Finnish music history.
Pave Maijanen (1950–2021) was one of the most versatile influencers in the domestic music scene, whose impact extended widely. He was both a respected musician and producer, and he was particularly known in the 1980s as one of the country’s most popular singers. Additionally, Pave Maijanen was known for his versatile musical abilities and roles in various music projects. Maijanen, who had a long career, rose to great popularity in the 1980s with hits like “Pidä huolta,” “Lähtisitkö,” and “Jano.” Pave Maijanen passed away in Helsinki in 2021. Maijanen’s impact on the Finnish music scene was significant, and his music left a lasting mark on Finnish music culture.
PMMP is one of the most significant Finnish bands of the 2000s. Singers Paula Vesala and Mira Luoti founded the band in 2003. Over ten years, PMMP achieved exceptional success, winning nine Emma Awards and releasing seven albums, which have sold hundreds of thousands of copies. In addition to their hits, the band was known for their energetic performances, which were sold out tour after tour. PMMP quickly became known for their diverse musical style, combining pop, rock, and punk. Some of the band’s most famous songs include “Rusketusraidat,” “Matkalaulu,” “Joutsenet,” and “Lautturi.” In 2013, the band stopped performing but announced in 2023 that they would make a comeback, performing in two sold-out concerts at the Olympic Stadium in August 2024, as well as at several summer festivals in 2024.
Aino Ackté (1876–1944) was an international opera star and a promoter of Finnish opera, who was instrumental in initiating the Savonlinna Opera Festival. She was the most significant Finnish singer at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, rising from a lyrical soprano at the Grand Opera of Paris to a star of European drama opera. Ackté achieved her greatest international successes in the role of Salome, where she represented the modernism of her time. Later, she directed her musicality and work ethic towards promoting domestic opera, becoming a notable cultural figure in the early 20th century.
Toivo Kärki (1915–1992) was a significant Finnish composer, pianist, and conductor who greatly influenced the development of post-war popular music. He collaborated with many well-known lyricists and was regarded as a respected producer in the field. Approximately 1,330 of Kärki’s compositions have been recorded, with many having multiple versions. His music was heard in plays, films, revues, and radio programs. Some of Toivo Kärki’s most famous compositions include “Lentävä kalakukko,” “Jos vielä oot vapaa,” “Vanha salakuljettaja Laitinen,” and “Reppu ja reissumies.” His musical legacy continues to live on strongly in Finnish popular and tango music.
Opera singer Jaakko Ryhänen (1945 ->) is one of the most renowned basses of our time. His career began in the early 1970s, and since then, he has sung major bass roles in opera literature at the world’s most important opera houses. Ryhänen has had a significant international career as a concert soloist and has made numerous recordings. Additionally, he has had a long career as a vocal pedagogue. He has also served as a professor at the Sibelius Academy and as a professor and head of the vocal department at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre in Tallinn. Ryhänen has been awarded the Pro Finlandia medal (1988) and the Lea Piltti Prize from the Finnish Cultural Foundation (2024) for his successful international career as an artist.
Juhani Merimaa (1947 ->) has been a significant figure in the Finnish music business for nearly four decades. He served as the CEO of Finland’s legendary rock club Tavastia from 1980 until 2023, when he retired. Merimaa has also played a central role in organizing the Ankkarock and Ruisrock festivals and is considered the man who brought rock ‘n’ roll to Finland. His contribution to the development and promotion of the Finnish music scene has been very significant. During Merimaa’s tenure, Tavastia has risen to international acclaim as a live club, and Ankkarock and Ruisrock have established themselves as Finland’s largest and most popular festivals.
Virve “Vicky” Rosti (1958 ->) is an award-winning artist with a long and successful career. She has received, among others, the Iskelmä-Finlandia award in 2019 and a Special Emma award for her significant career in recorded music in 2022. Her most famous hit songs include “Kun Chicago kuoli,” “Tuolta saapuu Charlie Brown,” and “Näinkö aina meille täällä käy.” Rosti represented Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1987 in Brussels with the song “Sata salamaa.” Virve Rosti is also known as the lead singer of the band Menneisyyden vangit, and she has performed over 5,000 gigs with various ensembles across Finland. Her extensive musical production and energetic performances have made Rosti one of Finland’s most beloved and well-known artists.
The board of Suomen Musiikki & Media-Tapahtumat S.M.M. Oy makes an annual proposal for the stars to the Tampere Culture and Leisure Committee, which makes the final decision. The proposal is based on public suggestions.
The Walk of Fame project involves the City of Tampere, the Music x Media event, Tampere Hall, and Bauer Media.
