Music journalist Heli Nevakare was an unmissable figure on television in the late 1980s.
Nevakare died in Tampere at the age of 63. This was confirmed by Nevakare’s family.
Nevakare became known as the presenter of Yle’s Rockstop music programme, which was broadcast from Tohlop in Tampere between 1987 and 1992. Rockstop was based on the element of surprise and Nevakare’s ability to throw himself into the action, although his eccentric style often caused annoyance among viewers.
He had gained experience as a music journalist working for Yle’s Kamoon – Languages Across TV programme (1986), and before that at Radio Jyväskylä and Radio City.
Even the jokes of the program’s working group didn’t always go down well, and the commotion was ready when Rockstop introduced, for example, the imaginary band Ismo Selin Group.
In his program, Nevakare interviewed not only domestic artists and bands, but also world stars of his time, both abroad and in Finland. Among others, Guns N’ Roses, Kiss and Queen ended up in Nevakare’s energetic treatment.
Nevakare studied at the Jyväskylä Conservatory’s singing department, and she was linguistically gifted. Nevakare studied English at university and sang fluently in French in a chanson competition.
Nevakaren’s career ended at Yle in the early 2000s as a result of change negotiations. He lived his last years in Tammela, Tampere.