Tasavallan Presidentti
Tasavallan Presidentti (in English President of the Republic) is a Finnish progressive rock band. It was founded in 1969 by guitarist Jukka Tolonen and drummer Vesa Aaltonen. Other founder members were Måns Groundstroem (bass) and Frank Robson (vocals), previously of Blues Section. Juhani Aaltonen (saxophone/flute) had earlier played in Soulset; he was replaced in 1970 by Pekka Pöyry. Eero Raittinen replaced Robson as a vocalist in 1972, the same year as the album Lambertland was released in UK. The album was a tight fusion of jazz and folk rock with highly inventive and imaginative lyrics which charted at the number 7 position in Finland. Milky Way Moses reached number 12 in Finland in 1974. Tasavallan Presidentti disbanded that same year, then reunited from 2005-06.
Discography
Albums
- Tasavallan Presidentti (1969)
- (Pekka Streng (with Tasavallan Presidentti): Magneettimiehen kuolema (1970)
- Tasavallan Presidentti (II) (1971)
- Lambertland (1972)
- Milky Way Moses (1974)
- Classics (compilation) (1990)
- Tasavallan Presidentti (2000)
- Still Struggling For Freedom (live) (2001)
- Tasavallan Presidentti Six (2005, EP)
- Six Complete (2006)
Singles
- Time Alone With You / Obsolete Machine (1969)
- Solitary / Deep Thinker (1970)
- (Kirka Babitzin & Tasavallan Presidentti: Saat kaiken / Kaukainen valo (1970)
- Sisältäni portin löysin / Selvä näkijä (1972)
Band members
- Vesa Aaltonen, drums
- Jukka Tolonen, guitar
- Måns Groundstroem, bass (1969–1972, 1983–2002)
- Frank Robson, vocals, keyboards (1969–1972, 1983-)
- Juhani Aaltonen, saxophone, flute (1969–1970, 1983-)
- Pekka Pöyry, saxophone, flute (1970–1974)
- Eero Raittinen, vocals (1972–1974, 1995, 2000)
- Heikki Virtanen, bass guitar (1973–1974, 2002-)
- Esa Kotilainen, keyboards (1974, 1990, 1995)