#OBITUARY: Pave Maijanen from Finland has died aged 70

Eurovision Ireland has learned that Finnish singer and musician Pave Maijanen died on 16 January after a long illness. He was best known in Eurovision circles for performing Yamma yamma in the 1992 contest in Malmö.

Born Pekka Juhani Maijanen in Lappeenranta in 1950, he was a regular in the Finnish music for many years, as a singer, songwriter, musician, and producer. He was also an accomplished photographer and ice hockey player.

Pave’s performance in 1992 wasn’t Finland’s high point, but he came through Euroviisut and beaten such luminaries as Sonja Lumme, Arja Koriseva, Riki Sorsa and Kirka. In Malmö he scored 4 points and finished 23rd – the first ever performer to finish 23rd in a contest. The song Yamma yamma he co-wrote with Heikki ‘Hector’ Harma scored from Yugoslavia and Israel.

Pave had also featured as a backing singer in 1982 – for Kojo – and 1983 – for Ami Aspelund. He also came back after his headlining performance, in 1993, to play the accordion for Katri Helena.

Here he is in 1983, with what was the best Finnish placing he was involved with.

In his time, Pave was involved with many, many Finnish bands. These included The Top Cats, Mielikummitus, Pepe & Paradise, Wigwam, The Royals and Dingo. He occasionaly performed under the pseudonyms Paavo Maijanen and Maija Paavonen.

In 2020, he had his first exhibition of photography at the Kaneltalo Gallery in Helsinki, after débuting in Kesälahti and Lappeenranta.

Pave had been suffering from Motor Neurone Disease.

Eurovision Ireland’s thoughts are with Pave’s family and friends at this time.

Author: John Stanton

Source: Eurovision Ireland