Tõnis Mägi
Encyclopedia
Tõnis Mägi is an Estonia
n singer, guitarist
, composer
and actor
. He is one of the most influential and remarkable names in the Estonian rock
music for the past 40 years.
He grew up in a musical family, music became interesting in 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
.
In the 1970s–1980s Mägi gained big popularity not only in Estonia, but in the whole Soviet Union
. One of his most popular songs Olimpiada 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
.
. He stood as a candidate in the Estonian parliamentary election
in 2007.
and in 2010 with the III Class Order of the National Coat of Arms
.
. After her death Tõnis had to raise their daughter Maarja (1993) by himself. Currently Tõnis Mägi is married to singer Kärt Johanson. They have two daughters: Liida (born 1999) and Mirti (born 2004). Mägi's daughter from his first marriage Liis-Katrin is married to actor Märt Avandi
.
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
n singer, guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
, composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
and actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
. He is one of the most influential and remarkable names in the Estonian rock
Estonian rock
The Estonian rock music scene saw its beginnings in the mid-sixties during Nikita Khrushchev's thaw in the Soviet Union and the rise of British bands all over the world. The first Estonian rock-groups were primarily high school bands playing cover versions of the current UK Top 10...
music for the past 40 years.
He grew up in a musical family, music became interesting in 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
Soviet Army
The Soviet Army is the name given to the main part of the Armed Forces of the Soviet Union between 1946 and 1992. Previously, it had been known as the Red Army. Informally, Армия referred to all the MOD armed forces, except, in some cases, the Soviet Navy.This article covers the Soviet Ground...
he became the vocalist of Baltika. Later he sang in the bands Kärjed, Laine, Muusik Seif, 777 and Ultima Thule
Ultima Thule (Estonian band)
Ultima Thule is an Estonian rock-band. It has existed since 1986. The leader of the group has been the guitarist and singer Riho Sibul. Ultima Thule has been one of the most influential Estonian bands of the 1980s and 1990s...
.
In the 1970s–1980s Mägi gained big popularity not only in Estonia, but in the whole Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
. One of his most popular songs Olimpiada became a symbol of the 1980 Moscow Olympics
1980 Summer Olympics
The 1980 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event celebrated in Moscow in the Soviet Union. In addition, the yachting events were held in Tallinn, and some of the preliminary matches and the quarter-finals of the football tournament...
. In 1987 he gave his last concert in Russia, after which he returned to Estonia and focused on the Singing Revolution
Singing Revolution
The Singing Revolution is a commonly used name for events between 1987 and 1991 that led to the restoration of the independence of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania...
. 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
Vanemuine
Vanemuine, a literal translation from is a theatre in Tartu, Estonia. It is the first Estonian language theatre, founded as the Vanemuine Society on June 24, 1865 following the idea of Johann Voldemar Jannsen. In 1869 Vanemuine Society organised the first song festival in Estonia...
theatre in Tartu
Tartu
Tartu is the second largest city of Estonia. In contrast to Estonia's political and financial capital Tallinn, Tartu is often considered the intellectual and cultural hub, especially since it is home to Estonia's oldest and most renowned university. Situated 186 km southeast of Tallinn, the...
.
Political activity
In January 2007 Mägi became a member of the political party Estonian GreensEstonian Greens
Estonian Greens is an Estonian green political party. Valdur Lahtvee, an organizer, reported that on 2006-11-01, more than 1000 members had been recruited for the Green Party Initiative Group to register as a political party under Estonian law, opening doors for running at the coming parliament...
. He stood as a candidate in the Estonian parliamentary election
Estonian parliamentary election, 2007
Parliamentary elections took place in Estonia on Sunday, March 4, 2007 to elect members of the Riigikogu. The electoral system was a two-tier semi-open list proportional representation system with a 5% election threshold...
in 2007.
Decorations
In 1999, the President of Estonia decorated Tõnis Mägi with a IV Class Order of the White StarOrder of the White Star
The Order of the White Star was instituted on 1936. The Order of the White Star is bestowed on Estonian citizens and foreigners to give recognition for services rendered to the Estonian state.- Classes :The Order of the White Star comprises five classes:...
and in 2010 with the III Class Order of the National Coat of Arms
Order of the National Coat of Arms
The Order of the National Coat of Arms was instituted by Konstantin Päts on 7 October 1936 to commemorate 24 February 1918, the day on which Estonian independence was declared...
.
Personal
Tõnis Mägi met his first wife Virve while still a student. In 1988 he divorced his second wife actress Laine Mägi, with whom he had a daughter Liis-Kartin was born (1983). In the same year he met his third wife Piia, with whom he soon emigrated to SwedenSweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
. After her death Tõnis had to raise their daughter Maarja (1993) by himself. Currently Tõnis Mägi is married to singer Kärt Johanson. They have two daughters: Liida (born 1999) and Mirti (born 2004). Mägi's daughter from his first marriage Liis-Katrin is married to actor Märt Avandi
Märt Avandi
-Filmography:FilmsTelevision- External links :...
.
Discography
- 1980 Olimpiada 80 LP, MelodiyaMelodiyaMelodiya is a Russian record label. It was the state-owned major record company/label of the Soviet Union.-History:It was established in 1964 as the "All-Union Gramophone Record Firm of the USSR Ministry of Culture Melodiya"...
- 1990 Tõnis LP, F Rec
- 1993 Hüüdja hääl CD, Trio
- 1995 Liivakell CD, SaluMuusik Rec
- 1996 Las jääda kõik mis hea 2CD, Eesti Raadio ERC 009: Jaak Joala, Ivo LinnaIvo LinnaIvo Linna is an Estonian singer.He represented Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest 1996 with the song "Kaelakee Hääl" which would go onto finish 5th at the contest, held in Oslo that year....
- 1998 Kaunilt kaua CD F Rec
- 1999 Krikin Kaja Pöhö CD F Rec
- 2000 Eesti kullafond 2CD, Aidem Pot Hitivabrik: Eesti kullafond
- 2002 pÜHENDUS DVD, Digibox OÜ
- 2003 Siirus CD, ARM Music
- 2005 Vestlus Hermanniga CD, T. Mägi
- 2006 2teist CD, Sanofi Aventis
- 2008 KIIK & KIRIK CD, T. Mägi ja Politseiorkester
- 2008 Jäljed CD, ARM Music
- 2011 Tarkus CD, Elwood Muusik OÜ