Gunnar Graps Estonian singer and musician (drummer), legend of Estonian rock. Date of Birth: 27.11.1951 Country: Estonia

1. Biography of Gunnar Graps
2. Early Career
3. Success and Recognition
4. Later Years and Challenges
5. Legal Troubles and Later Career
6. Death

Biography of Gunnar Graps

Gunnar Graps was an Estonian singer, musician (drummer), and a legend of Estonian rock. He was one of the pioneers of heavy metal/hard rock in the USSR and Estonia and was often compared to Mick Jagger and Alice Cooper, earning him the nickname "Iron Man".

Early Career

Graps began his career in 1965 with the band "Mikronid" and later played in ensembles such as "Ruya" and "Ornament". In December 1977, Graps formed the band "Magnetic Band", which brought him nationwide success. The band played jazz-rock, rhythm and blues, and hard rock at different times.

Success and Recognition

In 1980, the band won the first prize at the "Spring Rhythms" rock festival in Tbilisi, and two songs - "Trubador on the Highway" and "Lady Blues" were included in a double album released after the festival. The following year, the band performed at the Yerevan International Pop-Rock Festival, which was covered by the magazine "Time". In 1982, their first album "Roses for Daddy" was released, featuring recordings from different years. Despite being banned in 1983, the band continued to work under the new name "Gunnar Graps Group" from January to August 1984 and even performed at a festival in Tartu.

Later Years and Challenges

In 1988, their second album "Burning" was released, which was in the popular genre of heavy metal at the time. After the dissolution of the USSR, the group rarely performed outside of Estonia. In 1989, Graps emigrated to the United States to try to establish himself in the local music scene. However, his attempt was unsuccessful, and he had to make a living through odd jobs. He returned to Estonia in 1992 and worked as a music editor at Estonian Radio and a musician on a ferry that transported passengers to Helsinki and Stockholm.

Legal Troubles and Later Career

In the summer of 1993, Graps was arrested for transporting anabolic steroids and spent two months in a Swedish prison. After his release, he recorded the album "Empty Pockets", which included both new songs and previously unreleased recordings from the "Magnetic Band". However, the album did not gain wide popularity. Graps's subsequent albums also had limited success. In 2003, he hoped to embark on a concert tour in Russia, where "Magnetic Band" was still remembered, but this plan never materialized due to his illness and eventual death.

Death

Gunnar Graps passed away on May 17, 2004, from a heart attack at his home on Mooni Street in Tallinn.