Earlier this year I was contacted by the president of the Elvis
Presley Fan Club of Finland. He had arranged for Scotty and DJ to
visit several times, first in 1998 for an "Elvis Weekend" in the small town of Pieksämäki
in Eastern Finland, and then again the following year to perform on a TV
special called "Singing Heart" with a locally popular band called
Agents. Their fan club turned 30 years old this last February
and he was hoping to get Scotty to send greetings to the club as he did
10 years ago. He told me about their appearances there which
preceded the website and offered some details and pictures. Last week he sent
them and we want to share them with you now:
Hi Jim,
It was about six months ago when we were sending e-mails back and
forth. Now, when I have my summer vacation, I have had
time to go through some old photos which I referred to in my e-mails.
Also, I found three different photos which are by me that I took when
Scotty and DJ were rehearsing with the Agents for the tv special.
The musicians (together with Gail and Dan Griffin) arrived in Finland
on Wednesday November 17th and had rehearsals with the band in the
evening at the TV studios of the Finnish Broadcasting Company, FBC (YLE
TV2 in Finnish). I took the photos then because photographing wasn't
allowed during the taping of the show which took place on Thursday the
18th
in 1999.
They recorded and filmed at least the following songs:
- Baby, Let's Play House
- That's All Right Mama
- Blue Moon of Kentucky
- Blue Moon
- Mystery Train
- Don't Be Cruel
- Blue Suede Shoes
- Devil in Disguise
- Hound Dog
- Heartbreak Hotel
The TV show and the cd came out in 2001.
Scotty and DJ with Agents & Jorma Kääriäinen at Laulava sydän - Nov.
18, 1999
To clarify, I should add: Mr. Jarmo Raitio arranged the Elvis Weekend in Pieksämäki where he wanted Scotty and D.J.
to come to play. Our fan club arranged our annual summer meeting during the same weekend
because it was quite a big happening and I as a fan club president didn't want our members to miss the opportunity to see the legends in concert.
Jarmo Raitio, who didn't speak any English back then asked me to contact Scotty and DJ because I had met them both in Memphis in 1992 and in the Swedish fan club meeting in 1993. So, I
had the needed connection. Mr. Raitio arranged the flights in summer '98 and paid the fees.
As for the tv show "Singing Heart", I was contacted by producer Timo Suomi in the summer of '99 and told it was the whole band's idea and wish to check if it was possible
to get Scotty & DJ to appear in their tv show as special guests. Mr. Raito was not involved. Additionally, I was the only person who was allowed to be there during the rehearsals and taping of the tv show (outside the band, tv crew, Gail & Dan Griffin).
Hannu Ignatius
July 22, 2015
page added July 22, 2015
All photos on this page unless
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company, any unauthorized use or reproduction is prohibited.
