RONNIE ATKINS

INTERVIEW AND PICTURES BY MARKO SYRJÄLÄ

The Danish hard rock band the Pretty Maids was originally formed in 1981 by singer Ronnie Atkins and guitarist Ken Hammer. They found worldwide success with the now classic 80’s albums RED HOT AND HEAVY and FUTURE WORLD but although they’ve sold hundreds of thousands of albums, they have never broken through in a major way. In the 90’s they enjoyed some overwhelming success in Japan market but when the decade ended, the band faced many difficult problems and they slowly disbanded from the spotlight. However, they never officially quit and instead they did some select dates in Europe every then and now until things changed again in 2010. Pretty Maids released PANDENOMIUM, their strongest album in ages, and they’re once again ready to rock again with full force. 

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Dom Helsinki 25.02.2011

Teatria Oulu (w/ Ghost Machinery ) 26.02.2011

The Danish hard rock veterans Pretty Maids returned to Finnish soil after a 19 year absence. Pretty Maids still featuring the surviving original member Ronnie Atkins and Ken Hammer visited the legendary club Tavastia back in 1992 when grunge was raging and traditional hard rock was basically dead meat. Back in 1990, Pretty Maids did the most memorable outdoor festival performance along with such names as Sodom, Running Wild and Uriah Heep at the Giants of Rock in Hämeenlinna. Well years have passed by since then and Pretty Maids have been gigging effectively during all these years. Therefore getting the Danish rockers to Finland was definitely about time for sure. Having two gigs booked in a row in Helsinki and up in Oulu was definitely an unexpected and above all pleasant surprise and also suspicion if people are still interested in Pretty Maids. Both the agents and the bands must have been utterly surprised to have app. 400 people at each show. That was far beyond than expected in the first place.

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