Hector

Hector is the performing name of Heikki Harma, a Finnish singer-songwriter from Helsinki, born in 1947. He is also known for translating song lyrics into Finnish, and for writing original lyrics of his own. His work spans folk rock and other rock styles, and his lyrics often carry political or social themes.

Career

He adopts the name Hector from his 1965 debut single, “Palkkasoturi”, a Finnish version of Buffy Sainte-Marie’s “Universal Soldier”. He becomes one of the key figures in Finnish rock during the 1970s, and is later regarded as both an early pioneer and a long-term mainstay of Suomirock. His songs include widely recognised Finnish popular music titles such as “Lumi teki enkelin eteiseen”, “Mandoliinimies” and “Olen hautausmaa”.

His 1974 album Hectorock I becomes the fastest-selling record in Finnish history at the time, reaching 50,000 sales within a few months. He maintains a steady recording career with occasional hits into the 1990s, then returns to wider popularity in the 2000s with Ei selityksiä, one of his most successful albums. He later makes a farewell arena tour in 2007, continues to perform occasionally, and mounts a major comeback tour in 2011. He also releases Hauras in 2014, ten years after his previous album.

Repertoire and collaborations

Hector’s music is diverse, and besides folk rock he also records progressive rock, hard rock and heavy metal songs. He translates works by Don McLean, Procol Harum, King Crimson, Neil Young and David Bowie, among others. He also writes lyrics for other Finnish singers. His song “Juodaan Viinaa” is later covered by the Finnish folk metal band Korpiklaani on their 2009 album Karkelo.

Other work

Alongside music, Heikki Harma works as a music journalist on radio. He is also the Finnish voice actor of The Muskrat in the Finnish-British animated television family drama Moominvalley.

Associated acts

Hector is associated with Cumulus, HEC and Artistit Avohakkuita Vastaan.