Kirka Babitzin

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Kirill "Kirka" Babitzin (born September 22, 1950 in Helsinki, Finland) is one of Finland's most famous popular musicians.

[edit] Biography

This is a heavily condensed version of Kirka Babitzin's biography at Populaarimusiikin museo.

The third son of an immigrant family, Babitzin's musical career originally began at age 5 when his grandmother gave him an accordion. He later won an accordion competition at age 10, but left the accordion for rock and roll music. His first band was The Creatures, which he joined in 1964, under his artist name Kirka.

Babitzin got his breakthrough in 1967 when he joined the band The Islanders, originally led by Ilkka "Danny" Lipsanen, as the major vocalist, and began touring all over Finland. Kirka also recorded some singles with Blues Section.

In 1978 Babitzin released a duet album with his sister Anna, and in the next year their sister Muska joined them.

Kirka represented Finland at the Eurovision Song Contest 1984, finishing a strong ninth with the song Hengaillaan.

Babitzin has been awarded the Emma award for best male singer twice, first in 1981 and then in 2000. He has promised he will keep on making music at least until his 60th birthday in 2010.

[edit] Discography

Kirka Babitzin has released 78 singles and almost 60 albums, including 15 collections. A complete discography (in Finnish) is available here. Kirka's album Surun pyyhit silmistäni (1988) is the third most sold Finnish album.