“Heikki Lunta” Creator Dies

The creator of “Heikki Lunta” has died. David Riutta was working at radio station WMPL in December of 1970 when the Range Sno-Mobile club was faced with canceling a race because there was no snow. Riutta sat down with his guitar, and, in an hour, composed a song that implored a mythical Finnish snow god to save the event. He named the deity “Heikki Lunta” after his favorite country singer, Hank Snow. In Finnish, “Heikki” means “Hank,” and “lunta” means “snow.” He played his song on the radio, the skies opened, and so much snow fell that Riutta was obliged to write a follow-up song, “Heikki Lunta, Go Away.” Recordings of both songs were sold locally. “Heikki Lunta” quickly became an icon. The legend spread to other Finnish communities in the United States, and to Finland. Indeed, many people now think Heikki Lunta is a legitimate character from Finnish folklore. Riutta continued to perform as a musician in the Copper Country until his death on Saturday, May 23rd. He was 77.

Learn more about the legend of Heikki Lunta here.