Anneli Saaristo represented Finland in Eurovision 1989 and as always, also this year before Eurovision in Malmö the veterans got their share of the spotlight, too, in various medias, and also La Saaristo wasinterviewed. She told that Eurovision was the highlight of her career. "Never before or after people and media have been so interested in me" she tells. Her participation was a lot critized before Lausanne, and ever her looks were thrown in by some saying she's just too ugly for Eurovision (if my memory serves right she sued and won). That all changed when she came home with Finland's best placing ever in Finnish. "When you have success, everyone is your friend. If you fail, you become a persona non grata. There are many examples. Just think about Paradise Oskar! Where did he disappear from media? And Pernilla Karlsson?! Timo Kojo still carried the nickname as Nolla-Kojo (Kojo, null points) after 31 years..." But she remembers her own trip with fondness. "It was great, I had my own hairdresser, fabulous dresses, great team and Ossi Runne conducting the orchestra. Yes, we had the big orchestra still" she concludes with a sigh. Eurovision also gave her biggest hit, La dolce vita. "it's a great song, difficult to sing though. I still sing it always when asked. It would be arrogance not to sing what people want to hear. I don't think I have to sing it, I'm honored I may still sing it!" Saaristo, today 64, has already retired officially but is still performing and her latest album came out last year. "When my voice changes with age, I may have to start singing raspy blues" she laughs. She's planning a big concert next spring in Tampere, where she lives now. "It'll be 25 years of La dolce vita."
Anneli Saaristo has released 13 studio albums, won various awards, including Emma award for the best female artist in 1985. She participated in Euroviisut three times: 1978 Sinun kanssasi, sinua ilman (4th), 1984 Sä liian paljon vaadit (3rd), 1989 Oi äiti maa (3rd) and La dolce vita (1st). She also took part in Syksyn Sävel in 1982 with Tyhjät sanat and in 1988 with Taivaspaikka. She has collected awards in international festivals like Knokke Cup 1983 (best solist), Rostock 1985 (Gran prix) and Dresden 1987 (2nd). She has also starred in a film and several musicals, and done shows with other artists, performed songs to Bertol Brecht's and Federico Garcia Lorca's texts. Her recording career includes also some Eurovision covers, like Jos joskus and Päättyneet juhlat.
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