Mr Lordi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mr Lordi
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Mr Lordi on stage during a Lordi concert in 2024
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Tomi Petteri Putaansuu |
| Also known as | Mr Lordi Hulk from Hell Biomechanic Man Mr L |
| Born | 15 February 1974 Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter, painter, special effects make-up artist, comics artist, graphic designer |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar, drums |
| Years active | 1987–present |
Tomi Petteri Putaansuu (born on February 15, 1974), known as Mr Lordi, is a Finnish musician, artist, and songwriter. He is most famous as the lead singer of the rock band Lordi. Mr Lordi is in charge of writing songs and designing all the unique masks, costumes, and stage props for the band.
He has also created album artwork for other bands and artists. Mr Lordi has even shown his paintings in art exhibitions in Finland. You will always see him wearing his mask and stage makeup in public photos.
Contents
Mr Lordi's Career
Music Journey
Before starting Lordi, Mr Lordi played in several rock bands in Rovaniemi. He was well-known as the singer for his band Wanda Whips Wall Street. In 1992, when he was 18, he started Lordi as his own project. He made the first demo, Napalm Market, in 1993. Mr Lordi wanted Lordi's music to sound like a mix of Kiss, Pantera, and Puff Daddy. Lordi became a full band in 1996. This happened after Mr Lordi met the original band members on a Kiss fan cruise that he helped organize.
While working as a storyboard artist, Mr Lordi spent his free time creating Lordi's first album, Bend Over and Pray the Lord, in 1997. However, he could not find a company to release the album at that time. He also drew a comic book about Lordi. In 2002, Lordi finally released their first single, "Would You Love a Monsterman?", and the album Get Heavy. Mr Lordi still designs all the album covers, merchandise, and the band's masks and outfits. He writes songs with the other band members.
Mr Lordi has written songs and made album covers for many Finnish artists. He has also performed live with international artists like U.D.O. and Doro Pesch. In 2011, Mr Lordi formed his own choir from Rovaniemi for the Finnish TV show Clash of the Choirs. He called his choir "Rock'n'Rollo". He later invited them to perform at Lordi's anniversary concert in 2012.
Filmmaking Adventures
In the late 1980s, Mr Lordi began making horror movies with his friends. He worked as a director and special effects designer. Along with young filmmakers like Pete Riski (who later directed Lordi's music videos), he won many awards. They even represented Finland at international film festivals. Mr Lordi has also worked as a storyboard artist for Finnish movie producers. He has directed many Finnish music videos too.
Artistic Expressions
Mr Lordi has held three art exhibitions in Finland. These shows included his artwork for Lordi and other bands.
Mr Lordi's Personal Life
Mr Lordi grew up in Rovaniemi. He became interested in monsters and special effects when he was young. This interest came mostly from horror movies. He also loved The Muppet Show and E.T.. When he was eight, his friend Risto Niemi introduced him to heavy metal.
He was always fascinated by masks and visual performances. He especially liked bands like Alice Cooper, W.A.S.P., Mötley Crüe, Kiss, and Twisted Sister. He started bands with his friends and designed their logos and album covers.
Mr Lordi did not do well in school, except for music and drawing. Years later, he graduated as a media designer, focusing on video editing. In 1995, he made Lordi's first music video, "Inferno". It was a seven-minute mix of horror fantasy and heavy metal. The video showed his friends in heavy makeup and masks, and horror decorations he made. Mr Lordi himself sang without makeup in the video. Soon after, he met his future band members on a Kiss Army trip to Sweden. Lordi then became a real band with four members: Mr Lordi, G-Stealer, Enary, and Amen.
He married Johanna Askola in August 2006 in his hometown of Rovaniemi. The couple divorced in 2015.
Mr Lordi's Character Story
Like the other members of the band Lordi, Mr Lordi has a made-up background story. He appears as a fictional monster in Lordi's comic books and music videos. His character has been called "The Hulk from Hell," "The Most Fearsome Khan of All," "The Biomechanical Man," and "The Unholy Overlord of All Tremors." His main tools are his special armor and an axe.
Mr Lordi's fictional history says his father was a Demon of the South and his mother was a Troll of the North. As a child of both, Mr Lordi gained their special powers. Over centuries, he appeared as famous historical figures like Genghis Khan and Attila the Hun. After defeating the Demons and Trolls, he became the Lord of Lapland. He rode a sleigh pulled by flying zombie reindeer.
One story says Mr Lordi has spent centuries looking for his true love but has not found her. Another story tells that Mr Lordi has connected himself to Earth's magnetic field. This allows him to control the planet and travel between different dimensions easily. Mr Lordi has personally brought together the other band members to help him in a big war against their enemies across dimensions.
Discography
Lordi Albums
Other Music Projects
- Various artists: Rovaniemi Rokkaa (1992) – includes Wanda Whips Wall Street's song "You're Dead Wrong"
- Various artists: Rockmurskaa (1995) – includes Lordi's song "Inferno" and Wanda Whips Wall Street's song "Caught the Black Fire"
- Agnes Pihlava: When the Night Falls (2006) – includes Mr Lordi's written song "Danger in Love"
- 1827 Infernal Musical: 1827 Infernal Musical (CD, 2010) – includes Mr Lordi's written song "Devil's crashing the party"
- Neljänsuora: Valtava Maailma (2011) – includes Mr Lordi's written song "Testamentti"
- Martti Servo: RoPS- Sinisellä Sydämellä (song, 2013) – song written by Mr Lordi
Filmography
- Häjyt (1999) – storyboard
- Historiaa tehdään öisin (1999) – storyboard
- Kuilu (2001) – special effects make-up
- Rölli ja metsänhenki (2001) – storyboard
- Pahat pojat (2003) – storyboard
- The Kin (2004) – script/acting/storyboard/special effects make-up/music
- Dark Floors (2008) – script/acting/theme song
- Monsterman (2014) – documentary film about Mr Lordi and Lordi
Other Releases
Cover Artwork by Mr Lordi
- Rotten Sound: Psychotic Veterinarian (1995)
- Domination Black: Fearbringer (2005)
- Martti Servo & Napander: Kestävällä pohjalla (2010)
- Rockamania: Rockamania (2010)
- Jope Ruonansuu: Jopetusministeri (2011)
- Jope Ruonansuu: Veljekset kuin kyljykset (2012)
Mr Lordi's Art Exhibitions in Finland
- Kulmagalleria: Mr Lordi's art exhibition (August 8–30, 2009)
- Kulmagalleria: Ihmeellistä Mautonta Menoa (October 7–30, 2011)
- Kauppakeskus Revontuli: Vistoja Kuvia (July 13 – August 11, 2012)
See also
In Spanish: Tomi Putaansuu para niños
