Irwin Goodman

Irwin Goodman
Background information
Birth name Antti Yrjö Hammarberg
Also known as Irwin Goodman
Rock-Williams
William White
Andy
Rudolf Holtz
Hamppari
Bob Mersey
Bill Black
Born September 14, 1943
Hämeenlinna, Finland
Origin Hämeenlinna, Finland
Died January 14, 1991 (aged 47)
Hamina, Finland
Genres Rock
Folk
Blues
Occupation(s) Singer-songwriter
Instruments Vocals
Guitar
Harmonica
Years active 1962–1991
Labels Finnlevy
Website www.irwingoodman.com

Irwin Goodman (real name: Antti Yrjö Hammarberg, 14 September 1943, Hämeenlinna – 14 January 1991, Hamina) was a popular Finnish rock and folk singer. In the late 1960s he was widely known as a protest singer. He recorded over 300 songs, most of which were his own compositions, with lyrics written by Vexi Salmi. Irwin Goodman started as a protest song singer in the folk boom of the mid-1960s, his humorous songs, often mocking the authorities, became favorites of the Finnish people; to such extent that small "Irwin singalike" contests are continuously arranged by some pubs for entertainment. Goodman had continuing troubles with Finnish tax authorities and had ever-worsening problems with alcohol. His escapades were eagerly followed by sensationalist magazines such as Hymy.

Goodman died of a heart attack while on the way from Vyborg to Hamina, Finland. The story of his life was turned into a feature film, Rentun Ruusu, in 2001.

Irwin's most famous songs include "Poing Poing Poing" (1971), "Haistakaa Paska Koko Valtiovalta" (1976), "Rentun Ruusu" (1988), "Ei Tippa Tapa" (1966), "Työmiehen lauantai" (1965), "En Kerro Kuinka Jouduin Naimisiin" (1965) and "Tyttö Tuli" (1978). He won the Syksyn Sävel song contest twice.

Common themes on his songs were poverty, taxes, drinking and alcoholism ("Ei tippa tapa", "Vielä yhdet", "Kieltolaki", "Homma käy", "Työmiehen lauantai", "Rentun ruusu") and problems with money ("Raha ratkaisee", "Kun ei rahat riitä", "Meni rahahommat pieleen", "Manu vippaa muutama markka"). He protested the government with songs like "Juhlavalssi," and "Haistakaa paska koko valtiovalta".

In 1971, Irwin released an album featuring actor Esa Pakarinen. His 1972 album Kohta taas on joulu consists of Christmas carols. The later songs ("Suruton nuoruusaika", "Maailma on kaunis", "Ai, ai, ai, kun nuori ois" and "Viimeinen laulu") were often dark when compared to songs from the 1960s and 1970s.

Albums discography

See also