Olavi Virta (originally to 1926 Oskari Olavi Ilmén) (27 February 1915, in Sysmä, Finland – 14 July 1972, in Tampere, Finland) was a Finnish singer, acclaimed as the king of Finnish tango. Between 1939 and 1966 he recorded almost 600 songs, many of which are classics of Finnish popular music, and appeared in many films and theatrical productions. Of his most acclaimed tangos are Punatukkaiselle tytölleni (For my red haired girl), Ennen kuolemaa (Before death) (Avant de mourir) and Täysikuu (Full moon), while standouts from his other popular music are Poika varjoisalta kujalta (Boy from a shady alley) (Guaglione), Hopeinen kuu (Silver moon) (Guarda Che Luna), Eva and Kultainen nuoruus (The golden youth). He was also the second tenor of the quartet Kipparikvartetti in the early 1950s.At the beginning of his career he received three gold records for the songs Ennen kuolemaa, Tulisuudelma (El Choclo) and La Cumparsita.Olavi Virta's career was cut short by a scandalous arrest for drunken driving in 1962, after which the press mockingly called him "The Singing Meatball." Ten years later he succumbed to alcoholism, living his final years in poverty.
Three children: son Pauli, and daughters Harriet and Sheila.
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Propably the most popular (male) Finnish singer ever. He was also a composer and text-writer. He recorded his first song in 1938 (published in 1939) and his last one in 1966.
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Kaappari
2013
performer: "Hopeinen kuu Guarda che luna"
Kummisetäni thaimorsian
2012
Documentary performer: "Valssi menneiltä ajoilta"
Paha perhe
2010
performer: "Kevät toi tullessaan"
Rööperi
2009
performer: "Amor, Amor, Amor", "Täysikuu"
Kansallistietäjä
2008
TV Series music - 1 episode
Laitakaupungin valot
2006
lyrics: "Sä et kyyneltä nää" / music: "Sä et kyyneltä nää" / performer: "Sä et kyyneltä nää"
Sininen laulu - Suomen taiteiden tarina
2004
TV Series documentary performer - 1 episode
Kuutamolla
2002
lyrics: "Sua lemmin kuin järjetön mä oisin I Love You for Sentimental Reasons" / performer: "Sua lemmin kuin järjetön mä oisin I Love You for Sentimental Reasons"
Ken tulta pyytää
2001
music: "Punatukkaiselle tytölleni"
Lakeuden kutsu
2000
lyrics: "Tähti ja meripoika Sømanden og stjernen" / performer: "Tähti ja meripoika Sømanden og stjernen"
Sokkotanssi
1999
performer: "Sun suudelmas", "Hopeapilvet"
Kulkuri ja joutsen
1999
performer: "Täysikuu"
A Summer by the River
1998
performer: "Itämaista Rakkautta", "Yö Kerran Unhoa Annoit" / writer: "Yö Kerran Unhoa Annoit"
Tanssijan kädet
1997
TV Short performer: "Luonnonlapsi Nature Boy"
Vaiennut kylä
1997
performer: "Punaiset lehdet"
Kauas pilvet karkaavat
1996
lyrics: "Sä et kyyneltä nää" / music: "Sä et kyyneltä nää" / performer: "Sä et kyyneltä nää"
Ristilukki
1993
performer: "Tyttö metsässä Girl In The Wood", "Sokeripala"