Tõnis Mägi

Tõnis Mägi (born 18 November 1948 in Tallinn) is an Estonian singer, guitarist, composer and actor. He is one of the most influential and remarkable names in Estonian rock music of the past 40 years.

For the hill and subdistrict in Tallinn, see Tõnismägi.
Tõnis Mägi
Tõnis Mägi in 2008.
Born (1948-11-18) 18 November 1948
Tallinn, Estonia
OccupationSinger, guitarist, composer, actor
Years active1965–present
Spouse(s)Virve
Laine Michelson-Adamson
(m. 1980; div. 1988)
Piia
Kärt Johanson
Awards
Musical career
Genres
  • Pop
  • rock
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
Associated acts
  • Muusik Seif
  • Ultima Thule
  • Laine
  • Kärjed
  • 777
  • Baltika
  • Rütmikud
  • Juuniorid

Early life

He grew up in a musical family and became interested in music during his early childhood. While attending in the Tallinn 22nd High School (now Jakob Westholm Gymnasium) he started performing as the choir's soloist in the early grades. After learning to play guitar, Mägi started his musician career as a guitarist in school bands Juuniorid (1965) and Rütmikud (1966). After serving in the compulsory Soviet Army he became the vocalist of Baltika. Later he sang in the bands Kärjed, Laine, Muusik Seif, 777 and Ultima Thule.

Career

In the 1970s and 1980s, Mägi gained popularity not only in Estonia, but in the whole Soviet Union. One of his most popular songs Olimpiada-80 (Олимпиада-80) became a symbol of the 1980 Moscow Olympics. In 1987, he gave his last concert in Russia, after which he returned to Estonia and focused on the Singing Revolution. Among other patriotic songs of the time, Mägi's song Koit (Estonian for Dawn) became a symbol of freedom.

Since 1996 he has been working in Vanemuine theatre in Tartu.

Political activity

In January 2007, Mägi became a member of the political party Estonian Greens. He stood as a candidate in the Estonian parliamentary election in 2007.[1]

Decorations

In 1999, the President of Estonia decorated Tõnis Mägi with a IV Class Order of the White Star and in 2010 with the III Class Order of the National Coat of Arms.[2]

Personal

Tõnis Mägi met his first wife, Virve, while still a student. In 1980, he married actress and dancer Laine Michelson-Adamson with whom he has a daughter, Liis-Katrin (born 1983). The couple divorced in 1988. In the same year he met his third wife, Piia, with whom he soon emigrated to Sweden. After her death, Tõnis had to raise their daughter, Maarja (born 1992), by himself. Currently, Tõnis Mägi is married to singer Kärt Johanson. They have two daughters: Liidia (born 1999) and Mirt (born 2004). Mägi's daughter from his second marriage, Liis-Katrin, is married to actor Märt Avandi.

Discography
  • 1990 Tõnis LP, ZEN 2019 Rockadillo Records
  • 1993 Hüüdja hääl CD, Trio
  • 1995 Liivakell CD, SaluMuusik Rec
  • 1996 Las jääda kõik, mis hea 1 CD, ERC008 Eesti Raadio: Jaak Joala, Ivo Linna
  • 1996 Las jääda kõik, mis hea 2 CD, ERC009 Eesti Raadio: Jaak Joala, Ivo Linna
  • 1998 Kaunilt kaua CD, Tõnis Mägi
  • 2000 Eesti Kullafond 2CD, HFCD024 Hitivabrik
  • 2002 Pühendus DVD, Digibox OÜ
  • 2003 Jäljed CD, ARM Music
  • 2003 Siirius CD, ARM Music
  • 2005 Vestlus Hermanniga CD, T. Mägi
  • 2006 2teist CD, Sanofi Aventis
  • 2008 KIIK & KIRIK CD, T. Mägi ja Politseiorkester
  • 2011 Tarkus CD, Elwood Muusik OÜ
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References
  1. Masing, Kadri (5 January 2007). "Tõnis Mägi kandideerib roheliste nimekirjas riigikokku". Eesti Päevaleht (in Estonian). Retrieved 13 June 2011.
  2. "Bearers of decorations". order of coa. President of the Republic of Estonia. Retrieved 13 June 2011.

Tõnis Mägi discography at MusicBrainz

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