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Lordi

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Lordi
File:Lordi06.jpg
Background information
Years active1996–present
MembersMr. Lordi (Tomi Putaansuu)
Amen
Ox
Awa
Kita

Lordi is a melodic hard rock band from Rovaniemi, Finland, and winners of the 2006 Eurovision Song Contest, formed in 1996 by Tomi Putaansuu (known as 'Mr. Lordi'). They are mostly known for their unusual monster costumes and lyrical themes.

Lordi won the 2006 Eurovision Song Contest with a record 292 points, giving Finland its first ever victory.

Costumes

The monster costumes are such an integral part of Lordi's publicity image that they refuse to be photographed or even interviewed without them, even if in some cases it leads to their own discomfort. In a brief segment on the BBC reporting about the band attending the Eurovision Song Contest 2006, they were shown lounging beside the pool in full sunlight, while wearing their costumes. During the segment, Lordi remarked that the costumes and the heat did not mix, but despite their discomfort, they appeared to be fully willing and dedicated to their art.

Despite the band's strict approach in relation to their costumes, and perhaps due to their newfound success, multiple newspapers began publishing photos of the band members without makeup. On March 15, 2006, the Finnish tabloid Ilta-Sanomat published a photograph of Putaansuu (Mr. Lordi) in civilian clothing, with his face partially showing. Lordi has called this an insult toward them and an attempt to destroy the "monster image" they have worked for ten years to create.

On May 22 2006, Daily Mail published what was believed to be an old picture of the band without their makeup or masks. It was later revealed that the band in the photo was actually Children of Bodom-a different band altogether. This was acknowledged on Children of Bodom's official website.[1] The photograph did feature Erna Siikavirta, who went on to join Lordi as Enary, the band's keyboard player. However, Enary left the band in 2005, well before their victory at Eurovision, being replaced by Awa. On the same day, Bild-Zeitung, a German tabloid, published what they claimed was a photograph of Putaansuu sans mask in its section "Bild Uncovered" with the German headline "He is the Grand Prix Monster: All of Germany discusses the Ugliest Winners of all Time".[2]

Eurovision Song Contest 2006

Lordi on stage

Lordi represented Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 finals with the song "Hard Rock Hallelujah" after getting through the semi-finals. The band won by a significant margin, scoring 292 points, 44 points over second placed Dima Bilan (representing Russia) singing "Never Let You Go". Having been voted for by all countries except Albania, Armenia and Monaco, Lordi gained the highest number of points in any Eurovision Song Contest to date, thanks to a large number of 10- and 12-point votes. Coincidentally, Lordi also scored 292 points in the semi-final held two days earlier. Though only the 8, 10 and 12 point scores were presented individually, the structure of the voting system was intact thus confirming Lordi's record score.

Lordi received 12 points from: Denmark, Estonia, Greece, Iceland, Norway, Poland, Sweden and UK
No points received from: Albania, Armenia and Monaco

See full point table.

Controversy

The choice of Lordi to represent Finland in the contest initially met with some controversy in Finland, with some critics calling for the Finnish President to veto the entry of the band.[1] (However, after Lordi won the Eurovision song contest for Finland, President Tarja Halonen sent a telegram to congratulate Lordi.) The president of a Greek restaurant and bar owners' union, Mrs. Niki Constantinou, made a public plea[2] to the people of Finland and Greece not to allow Lordi to perform, claiming them to be a Satanist group.[3] On the same basis three other Greek organizations initiated a legal action against the band.Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page). Despite, or maybe due to[4], the controversy, Greece ended up awarding Lordi 12 points, the highest possible, in the contest final.

Members

Current members

Former members

  • "Magnum" - bass guitar (1996–2002)
  • "Kalma" - bass guitar (2002–2005)
  • "Enary" - keyboards (1997–2005)

Discography

Albums

Singles and EPs

Music videos

  • "Would You Love a Monsterman?" (Directed by Pete Riski) (2002) [3]
  • "Devil is a Loser" (Directed by Pete Riski) (2003) [4]
  • "Blood Red Sandman" (Directed by Pete Riski) (2004) [5]
  • "Hard Rock Hallelujah" (winning song of Eurovision 2006) (2006)(Directed by Pete Riski) [6]

Eurovision Live Performances

  • "Bringing back the Balls to Rock" (performance at qualifying for Eurovision Song Contest in Finland) (2006) [7]
  • "Hard Rock Hallelujah" (performance at Eurovision Song Contest) (2006) [8]

See also

Similar bands

Footnotes

  1. ^ "Monster band has Finland fretting over face it shows". International Herald Tribune.
  2. ^ "'NO ENTRANCE' TO THE FINNISH MUSIC GROUP!!".
  3. ^ "Greek religious fanaticism rears its ugly head once more".
  4. ^ "VOTE FOR LORDI!".
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lordi.
Preceded by Winner of the Eurovision Song Contest
2006 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
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