History

Tasavallan Presidentti Family Tree 1969-1974

1969

Tasavallan Presidentti (President of the Republic) founded in spring by guitarist Jukka Tolonen and drummer Vesa Aaltonen, from Eero Raittinen's Help, with bassist Måns Groundstroem and vocalist Frank Robson, ex-members of Blues Section, and saxophone/flute player Juhani Aaltonen of Soulset. Their first album, Tasavallan Presidentti, released on Love Records in December, as well as the single Time Alone With You / Obsolete Machine.

1970

Juhani Aaltonen replaced with Pekka Pöyry. Lots of gigs, including the first Ruisrock Festival in August. Recording sessions for the second album in Sweden, with Bob Azzam producing. Backed Pekka Streng on his first album Magneettimiehen kuolema. The 45 single Solitary / Deep Thinker.

1971

Another self-titled album, Tasavallan Presidentti, issued by the Swedish EMI. Succesful concerts, including, again, the Ruisrock Festival. Agreement with the Swedish EMA agency. Jukka Tolonen's first solo album Tolonen!

1972

A record contract with Sonet. Robson fired and replaced with Eero Raittinen in March. A tour of England in May, followed by a Scandinavian tour. The third album, Lambertland, out in autumn, also in the UK. The second British tour in November. The single Sisältäni portin löysin / Selvä näkijä. Groundstroem left in December, was replaced with Heikki Virtanen.

1973

A rather established prog-rock name abroad, with the Reading Festival as one the main events for the band. Sessions for the next album at the DeLane Lea Studios, London, in August-September. Tolonen's second solo album Summer Games.

1974

Milky Way Moses' delayed release in spring. The album was licenced for the USA by Janus Records. The last British tour in April with keyboardist Esa Kotilainen replacing Pöyry. Tasavallan Presidentti was splitting up. Their last tour headed for Sweden in August, after which the band departed.

1975-2004

Jukka Tolonen has had a prolific career with loads of solo and band albums. Måns Groundstroem was employed as Love's house producer, then joined Wigwam in 1974. Eero Raittinen has played with his brother Jussi, and released solo recordings. Frank Robson has made occasional solo albums. Juhani Aaltonen has been a prominent jazz instrumentalist, like Pekka Pöyry was until he commited suicide in 1980. Vesa Aaltonen joined the multinational supergroup Made In Sweden in 1975, then played sessions like Heikki Virtanen. In the course of years Tasavallan Presidentti has given a number of reunion concerts, and in 2001 they released a live album Still Struggling For Freedom.