Pelle Miljoona

Pelle Miljoona (real name Petri Samuli Tiili) (born 10 February 1955) is a Finnish punk rock musician.

He was born in Hamina. The name "Pelle Miljoona" roughly translates to "Clown Million" or "Millionaire Clown," which reflects his mix of social critique and playful rebellion. He is also known as "The Godfather of Finnish Punk" in Finnish media. He is one of the most influential figures in Finnish punk, often credited with bringing punk rock to Finland in the late 1970s. He was part of the first wave of Finnish punk musicians in the 1970's. His sound has evolved over the decades, and he has also recorded reggae and acoustic folk songs. His musical influences include bands like The Clash, Sex Pistols, Stooges, and MC5, while Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan and Bob Marley have also been among his greatest inspirations.

Over the years, Pelle Miljoona has composed, written lyrics and sung in his many band line ups, including Pelle Miljoona & N.U.S, Pelle Miljoona & 1978, Pelle Miljoona & 1980, Pelle Miljoona Oy, Pelle Miljoona & Avoimet Ovet, Miljoonaliiga, Pelle Miljoona & Linnunlaulu, Pelle Miljoona & Rockers, Pelle Miljoona Unabomber!, and Pelle Miljoona United. Over his long career, Pelle Miljoona has published more than 30 albums and over 10 books. His lyrical themes often included anti-war messages, criticism of capitalism, and youth alienation. With a career beginning as a pioneer of the Finnish punk movement, he has left an important mark on Finnish culture.

Career Petri Tiili assembled his first band Pelle Miljoona & N.U.S in 1977. The first single Olen työtön (English: I am unemployed) was released the same year and the first album Pelle Miljoona & N.U.S was released in 1978. The band's name, N.U.S., was inspired by the American group The Fugs and has been interpreted to stand for either "Nuoriso Unohdettiin Saatana" ("The Youth Were Forgotten, Damn It") or "National Underground Society."

Although the mainstream punk movement faded, Pelle Miljoona continued making music, releasing albums and touring under different band names. While his sound evolved over the decades, his lyrics remained politically and socially engaged. The album Matkalla Tuntemattomaan (On the road to the unknown) (1981) was recorded in Germany's Hansa Tonstudio, a studio that had been used by artists such as Nina Hagen, Iggy Pop, and David Bowie.

In the 1990s, Miljoona focused mainly on traveling, visiting places like Goa, the USA, and Senegal. He was also involved in activism, often speaking out against social injustice, environmental destruction, and war. He also became known as a writer, publishing novels and poetry, and an autobiography. He has been described as "a still-kicking legend of beat literature." His autobiography, Elossa ja potkii! The elämäkerta (Alive and Kicking! The Biography, 2004), covers his entire life and career up to 2004, recounting his bands, albums, and touring life in Pelle's own words. They recorded a new EP "Anna soihtusi palaa". The band also did a 40 years anniversary tour in 2018–2019.

Legacy Pelle Miljoona is considered a cultural icon in Finland. His influence on Finnish rock is immense, as he paved the way for many later bands. The iconic Moottoritie on kuuma remains one of the most celebrated Finnish rock albums of all time. Even after decades in the music business, he remains active, performing and recording new material.

Discography Pelle Miljoona & N.U.S.

Pelle Miljoona & N.U.S. (1978, Love Records)

Pelle Miljoona & 1980

Pelko ja viha (1979, Love Records) Viimeinen syksy (1979, Johanna) Näyttämökuvia (1980, Johanna, live)

Pelle Miljoona Oy

Moottoritie on kuuma (1980, Johanna) Matkalla tuntemattomaan (1981, Johanna) Radio Kebab (1982, Johanna. A.A.B. Tuotanto)

Pelle Miljoona & Avoimet Ovet

Rakkaudesta elämään (1981, Johanna)

Solo productions

Laulava idiootti (1983, Johanna, A.A.B. Tuotanto) Jos... (1984, Beta, Love Kustannus) Rauhan aika (1990, Pyramid) Kaikki muuttuu (1992, Pyramid) Goa Baba (2008, omakustanne) Kosminen keiju (2018, Stupido Records)

Miljoonaliiga

Enkeltenkaupungissa... (1985, Pyramid)

Pelle Miljoona & Linnunlaulu

Tule kotiin Johnny (1987, Pyramid) Sadepäivän ihmisiä (1989, Pyramid)Pelle Miljoona & Rockers

Si Si Live (1992, Pyramid, live) ABC (1993, Pyramid) OK! (1994, Pyramid) Landella (1995, Pyramid) Juuret (1996, Pyramid) Kolmen tuulen pesä (1998, Pyramid) Brooklyn – Dakar (1999, Pyramid) Tee itselles elämä (2001, Pyramid) Villi lapsi (2002, Poptori) Tähtivaeltaja (2003, Poptori) Setä Samulin sirkus (2004, Stupido Records) Arambol (2006, Stupido Records) Tanssiva tuli (2020, Stupido Records)

Pelle Miljoona & Ylivoima Todistaja (2002, Wolfram Records)

Pelle Miljoona Unabomber! Unabomber! (2007, Stupido Records) Dharmapummi (2009, Stupido Records)

Pelle Miljoona & JJU jousiensemble Halki ajan ja rakkauden (2011, Fanfaari, Sound Of Finland)

Pelle Miljoona United Avara maa (2011, Stupido Records) Elävänä vastavirrassa (2013, Vastavirta-julkaisut) Diaspora (2013, KHY Suomen Musiikki) Kino Riviera (2015, KHY Suomen Musiikki) Olla joku (2017, Stupido Records)