Kirka

Kirka
Kirka during his last public performance in January 2007
Background information
Birth name	Kirill Babitzin
Born	(1950-09-22)22 September 1950 Helsinki, Finland
Origin	Helsinki, Finland
Died	31 January 2007(2007-01-31) (aged 56) Helsinki, Finland
Genres	Finnish rock Hard rock (1986–1987) Pop
Occupation(s)	singer
Years active	1962–2007
Associated acts	Creatures Islanders
Website	Kirka.com in English

Kirill "Kirka" Babitzin (22 September 1950 – 31 January 2007) was a popular Finnish musician.

Kirka's most famous songs include "Hengaillaan", "Leijat" (Kites) and "Varrella virran" (Down by the River)"

Kirill Babitzin was born in Helsinki in 1950 to a Russian emigrant family. He first got into music at the age of five when his grandmother gave him an accordion. He won an accordion competition at the age of ten, but soon ditched the squeezebox for rock and roll music. His first band was The Creatures, which he joined in 1964 assuming stage name Kirka.

Kirka got his big break in 1967 when he joined the band The Islanders, originally led by would-be pop stalwart Ilkka "Danny" Lipsanen, and went on to become a household name in dance halls and festivals all over Finland. Kirka also recorded with Blues Section. His trademark was to be his powerful, throaty voice; simultaneously shrill and soulful, it is instantly recognizable to generations of Finnish music lovers.

Several Babitzin siblings are established musicians in their own right. In 1978, Kirka released a duet album with sister Anna; the next year, another sister Marija ("Muska") joined in. Kirka's brother was popular rock musician Sammy Babitzin, who was killed in a car crash in 1973. Eerily, Sammy's signature hit Daada daada tells a story of high-speed automotive cruising.

Kirka represented Finland in Eurovision Song Contest 1984, finishing a strong ninth with the song Hengaillaan. Four years later, he got his greatest chart success with Surun pyyhit silmistäin, a melancholic pop-schlager. True to his rock'n'roll roots, however, he never fully appreciated this success, repeatedly citing 60's breakthrough Hetki lyö (orig. Beat The Clock composed by Gottehrer-Stroll, a 1968 Elfstone B side) with The Islanders as his greatest achievement.

Babitzin was awarded the Emma award for best male singer twice, first in 1984 and then in 2000. He died suddenly on 31 January 2007 at his home of undisclosed acute illness. His widow Paula Nummela is a jewellery designer.