Leroy

1981. The first band that sounded like a real band…

Members:

Arto Jousikari: Drums
Hannu Leidén: Vocals
Markku Palm: Guitar, backing vocals
Sami Sarhamaa: Guitar
Vesa Vartiainen: Bass, backing vocals

with:

Jouni Ullakko: Bass, backing vocals
Jukka Tikander: Guitar

I was a member of Vaamu, Vantaan Amatöörimuusikot ry and we booked Leroy for a gig at Havukosken Nuorisotalo sometime in 1980. The played and sung like angels (at least compared to anything else I had witnessed so far) and we got along nicely as we hung out after the gig. I got invited in when their guitarist quit. I of course jumped at the chance even though their Foreigner/Boston -type AOR was maybe not really my cup of tea…The guys were a bit older than me so they could give some pointers as to how to behave in an organized and skilled band. We were lucky enough to get a tentative contract for a single with CBS, so we recorded two songs at Millbrook Studios (then located still in Myllypuro) with Reijo Karvonen and Juha Heininen called You’ll Be Mine and Key to Your Heart. CBS never did release those songs, but I will. So here You are:

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During the final months Jouni and Jukka joined the band, but Hannu and I had a different dream…

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