Annikki Tähti

Annikki Tähti (in 1959–1978 Tähti-Tiensuu; 5 December 1929 – 19 June 2017) was a Finnish schlager singer, known for her wide repertoire ranging from waltz and tango to swing and Latin music, over a career lasting more than fifty years. After a few years working together, with de Godzinsky coaching and preparing Tähti for a singing career, she signed a deal with the newly established Scandia record label.

Her breakthrough was a slow and nostalgic waltz, ( 'Remember Monrepos?'): released in 1955, it was the first gold record in Finland, It was originally intended only as the B-side to Tähti's hit single Pieni sydän, but became much more popular and was released in its own right.

Tähti followed this in quick succession with more hits, including the 1955 Balladi Olavinlinnasta ( 'Olavinlinna Ballad') and the 1956 Kuningaskobra ( 'King Cobra', Finnish version of Teddy Powell's 'Snake Charmer'), both of which were certified gold and are still among the best-selling Finnish singles, in 6th and 12th places, respectively.

She also featured in numerous TV music programmes and documentaries between 1959 and 2009.

Recognition Tähti was awarded an honorary knighthood in the Order of the Lion of Finland.

In 1998, she received a 'Special Emma' (Erikois-Emma) award.

In 2004, Tähti was included on the Suuret suomalaiset ('Great Finns') top-100 list compiled by Yle, at number 89. She was not originally nominated by the organisers, but received enough support in the public vote to make it to the list.

Personal life Originally from the Kallio district of Helsinki,

She was a private person, and in her own words "rather boring", who saw herself as a singer rather than a celebrity. They had one child.