Rauli Aarre Tapani Somerjoki, born 30 August 1947 in Somero, Finland, was a Finnish rock singer, composer and lyricist whose career began in the early 1960s. After forming his first band, The Five Yes, in 1963 and performing with Suomen Talvisota 1939-1940, Rauli Aarre Tapani Somerjoki launched his solo career in 1970, signing with Love Records and releasing his debut single that marked his entry into the national charts. His first studio album, Synnyin Rokkaamaan (1971), followed by Näin käy rock & roll (1974) and Sydän lämpöä täys (1975), established him as a prominent figure in Finnish rock and schlager, with tracks such as "Fiilaten ja höyläten" and "Paratiisi" gaining widespread radio play. In 1982 he released Ikkunaprinsessa, and in 1983 followed with Tähdet, tähdet, both of which achieved top‑ten positions on the Finnish album chart. Rauli Aarre Tapani Somerjoki collaborated with the band Agents and performed extensively across Finland, including a final concert in Seinäjoki on 28 December 1986. He suffered from chronic bronchitis during the autumn of 1986 and died in Helsinki on 14 January 1987 from alcohol‑related complications at the age of 39. Posthumously, compilations such as Iso lemmen pala – Badding laulaa Elvistä (2002) and the documentary film Badding (2000) have preserved his legacy, while his music continued to influence contemporary Finnish pop and rock artists.
