Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

Yle organized among its other consolation Eurovision 2020 programming also a voting to find out the most loved Finnish entries of each decade ( here ). Two ladies battled it out with Katri Helena taking the crown ahead of legendary ode to the Lapland exotism in 1970s.  1979 Katri Helena - Katson sineen taivaan 29,8% 1977 Monica Aspelund - Lapponia 21,3% 1973 Marion Rung - Tom tom tom  16,0% 1975 Pihasoittajat - Viulu-ukko  14,6% 1976 Fredi & Friends - Pump pump  8,6% 1974 Carita Holmström - Älä mene pois 3,3% 1972 Päivi Paunu & Kim Floor - Muistathan  2,2% 1971 Markku Aro & Koivistolaiset - Tie uuteen päivään   2,1% 1978 Seija Simola - Anna rakkaudelle tilaisuus  2,1%

Markku Aro turns 67 today, congratulations! Markku was a teenage hearthtrob back in the day when he represented Finland in the Eurovision 1971 with Tie uuteen päivään with Koivistolaiset. He also scored a nice 8th place (out of 18).  He has releaed over 20 albums and he's still touring and performing regularly. His gig calendar has nearly 30 gigs between February and April 2017. Way to go, Markku!

Finland returned to the contest in 1971 after skipping the 1970 edition (the only time we have willingly done so, btw, and also the only time the contest has not been broadcasted on radio/TV since 1959) with one of the hottest up and coming male singers, Markku Aro. He got backing from Koivisto sisters who also were quite popular show girls at the time but soon disappeared from the spot lights. Markku Aro's debut single came out in 1968 and he scored big hits all 1970's. In the late 1070's - early 1980's he collaborated with Singapore born Nisa Soraya - until the romance lasted - and they were in Euroviisut 1981 with Mun suothan tulla vierees sun (5th) as well. He had also participated in Euroviisut 1969 (5th), 1974 (8th), 1976 (3rd) and 1979 (5th). But Markku's star was falling and he hasn't got a big hit since early 1980's even if he is still around recording and singing live and being quite popular and a household name. His latest album is from 2006.