#OBITUARY: Ossi Runne from Finland has died

Eurovision veteran conductor and stalwart Ossi Runne has died aged 93. Even though it was over 30 years ago when he last conducted the orchestra at a Eurovision Song Contest, he still ranks as one of the greats of Eurovision folklore.

Born Yrjö Osvald Rundberg in 1927, in Vyborg in modern-day Russia, he changed his surname to Runne to reflect his Finnish roots in 1936. He became known as a trumpeter, and also worked with orchestras in Sweden and Finland. In 1966, he co-wrote the Finnish entry Playboy at the Eurovision Song Contest, for Ann-Christine Nyström. It finished tenth.

He became an almost permanent fixture on the podium for Finland until he retired from the role in 1989. He missed conducting in 1981 as Yleisradio had him on commentating duties instead. He also commentated in 1990.

After an illustrious career in the Finnish music industry, he took a well-earned retirement in 2003. He wrote his autobiography, also in 2003, entitled Trumpetilla ja tahtipuikolla (“With the trumpet and the baton”)

Eurovision Ireland’s thoughts are with Ossi’s family at this time.

Author: John Stanton

Source: Eurovision Ireland