Finnish music legend and three-time Eurovision representative Matti ”Fredi” Siitonen has passed away. The sad news were confirmed to the Finnish media by the relatives of Siitonen. Siitonen was 78-year-old at the time of his death. 

Matti Siitonen,  better known as his artist name Fredi, was a big legend in the Finnish music field, where he not only made a successful solo career but also wrote hit songs to other artists. He was famous for his amazing tenor voice. He started his career already in the 1960’s, and he represented Finland in the Eurovision for the first time in 1967 with his song Varjoon — suojaan. The song finished shared 12th place in the contest:

The second time Fredi represented Finland in the Eurovision was in 1976, when he carried the Finnish flag with his song Pump pump, finishing 11th in the final. Pump pump is a true Finnish Eurovision classic song, and probably every Finn knows the Finnish lyrics of the chorus. Fredi and his friends brought some happiness and good energy to the Eurovision stage with their performance:

In 1979 Fredi carried the Finnish flag in the Eurovision for the third time, this time as a songwriter. He was the composer of the Finnish entry Katson sineen taivaan, which was performed by an another Finnish music and Eurovision legend Katri Helena. Katson sineen taivaan finished 14th in Eurovision 1979 with 38 points, and it has become a true classic song in Finland:

We want to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Matti Siitonen and wish them a lot of strength during this sad and difficult time!