Aki Sirkesalo

Finnish musician Aki Sirkesalo (b. 1962 in Toijala, Finland – d. December 26, 2004 in Khao Lak, Thailand) started his public career in 1984 as an announcer in the Finnish Broadcasting Company (YLE) radio show Rockradio. In 1986 he for

Finnish musician Aki Sirkesalo (b. 1962 in Toijala, Finland – d. December 26, 2004 in Khao Lak, Thailand) started his public career in 1984 as an announcer in the Finnish Broadcasting Company (YLE) radio show Rockradio. In 1986 he formed a band called Giddyups, followed with a successful a cappella group Veeti and the Velvets. He released his first solo album Mielenrauhaa ("peace of mind") in 1995. Since then he's made four more solo albums, the latest of which was released posthumously in February 2005. Sirkesalo has sold more than 100 000 records, which is a substantial amount in a small market like Finland. He has also hosted music-related TV shows for the Finnish Broadcasting Company.

Aki Sirkesalo, together with his family (wife Johanna 38, daughter Saana 4 years and son Sampo 8 years), died in the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake at Khao Lak. Their bodies have been buried in Finland.