Metal, Hardcore, Indie, Rock
Finnish artist Timo Tolkki has recently revealed via his social media account to be affected by a particular health condition, and a slight modification of his upcoming shows.
Dear Friends,
Few years ago I was diagnosed with Chronic Vestibular Imbalance, a chronic inner-ear condition that affects my balance.
It is an incurable illness that gets worse with age. I will turn 60 in few weeks.
Some have noticed that I was sitting most of my shows on last tour in Argentina, Chile and Brazil.
On medical advice, I’ll be performing the upcoming shows seated.
My playing is strong. The music is strong. And the fire is still there.
I’ve spent decades on stages around the world, and nothing changes my commitment to giving you everything I have.
I need your support now.
Finnish artist Timo Tapio Tolkki was born on March 3, 1966, and is most renowned for having been the guitarist, singer, lyricist, and producer of the power metal group Stratovarius. Prior to his departure in 2008, he was the band’s longest-serving member, having been there for more than 20 years. He founded two supergroups, Revolution Renaissance and Symfonia, after departing Stratovarius; both have since broken up. Tolkki was listed among the top 50 guitarists in the world in a 2011 Guitar World magazine article.
At the age of seven, Tolkki began playing the guitar, and he practiced diligently—up to eight hours a day at times. His father jumped to his death from the fourth floor of his apartment when he was twelve years old. Tolkki worked with the bands Antidote, Thunder, and Road Block prior to joining Stratovarius in 1984. When he first joined Stratovarius, he was the band’s vocalist in addition to playing all lead and rhythm guitars and occasionally bass guitar (until Jari Kainulainen joined in 1993). Timo Kotipelto replaced him on “Fourth Dimension” (1995) on vocals; he took over from Tolkki following the release of the band’s third album, “Dreamspace” (1994).
