A musical legend in his Finnish homeland,
Juha Vainio, also known as
Juha "Watt" Vainio, was a singer, songwriter, and translator of song lyrics whose recording career spanned several decades, from the early '60s to the late '80s. Born on May 10, 1938, in Kotka, Finland, he made his recording debut in 1963 with the single "Hum-Boogie." His early singles were later compiled on Juha "Watt" Vainio (1966), the first of many best-of collections released over the years. Viisari Värähtää (1972) marked the full-length album debut of
Vainio. Subsequent full-length albums include Tulin, Näin Ja Soitin (1975), Kansi Kiinni Ja Kuulemiin (1976), Käyn Ahon Laitaa (1979), Albatrossi Ja Sorsa (1981),
Sellaista Elämä On (1983), and Elämää Ja Erotiikkaa (1985). Following
Vainio's death on October 29, 1990, in Gryon, Switzerland, various retrospective compilations were released. The most comprehensive among them, Legendan Laulut: Kaikki Levytykset 1963-1990 (2008), was released by Warner Music and includes ten CDs of music. A more selectively compiled double-disc edition,
Legendan Laulut: 48 Mestariteosta (2008), proved especially popular, logging 23 weeks on the Finnish album chart, where it peaked at number two. ~ Jason Birchmeier