Kinnunen, Laila

Born November 8, 1939 in the suburb of Helsinki - the city of Vantaa . Soon, with the beginning of the war , her family was evacuated to Sweden , where she spent her childhood years. She returned to Finland only in 1949, at the age of 10 years.

In 1955, the singer won the singing competition in Helsinki, in 1955-1956 she was a soloist in the orchestra of Lasse Pihlayanmaa, later in the orchestras of Olli Häme and Erkki Melakoski. Already her first album " Lazzarella ", recorded in 1957 , quickly gained popularity. In the late 1950s, the songs “Illalla, illalla”, “Kellä kulta, sillä onni”, “Kuume”, “Marina”, “Jazzbasilli” and “Pieni kukkanen” were recorded.

In 1961, Kinnunen with the song “Valoa ikkunassa” (“The Light in the Window”) represented Finland at the Eurovision Song Contest , held in Cannes , and ranked tenth. After that, the singer became known not only at home, but throughout Europe . Laila Kinnunen also participated in the national qualifying round in 1962 with the song “Lumineito”, in 1966 with the song “Muistojen bulevardi”, in 1967 with “Unohdusta ei ole” and in 1969 with “Potkis”.

In the 1960s, the singer performs songs in a variety of genres - bossa nova , jazz , romances and Finnish folk songs . The most famous recordings are “Soittajapoika”, “ Mandshurian kummut ”, “Tiet”, “Yön äänet”, “Epävireiset sydämet”, “Yhden nuotin samba”, “Ipaneman tyttö”, “Kun” and “En vastaa jos soitat”. In 1962, Laila also recorded several songs as a duet with her sister Ritva Kinnunen , in particular “Pojat” and “Lauantai”.

Kinnunen also played in a Swedish theater in Helsinki, starred in films (for example, the Big Parade film is quite well-known) and participated in television programs.

However, in 1967 only a few records were made. In the early 1970s, the contract with the major label Scandia was broken. After that, the singer recorded a few more songs, but in the early 1980s, she finally left the stage.

In 1989, on the fiftieth anniversary of the singer, a documentary was shot about her life and work “Laila”.

Laila Kinnunen was married twice: first for actor Ville-Veikko Saminen , then for Yugoslav musician Miso Misic . From her second marriage in 1970, her daughter Milana Misych was born, who also became a singer.

In 2000, Kinnunen passed away and was buried at the Malmi cemetery in block number 34.

• L. Kinnunen: Halusin laulaa, halusin rakastaa (I would like to sing, I would like to love)
• R. Ikjavalko : Valoa ikkunassa - Laila Kinnunen (Light in the window - Laila Kinnunen)
• T. Vuori-Tabermann: Lailan laulu (Laila's song)

• Brita Koivunen
• Vieno Kekkonen
• Pirkko Mannola

• Lila Kinnunen at Pomus.net
• Archive YLE
• Youtube