FRONT COVER OF SUOSIKKI MAGAZINE IN 1979, WHEN ROCKIN DAVE WAS DEPORTED FROM FINLAND FOR WORKING WITHOUT A WORK PERMIT

Suosikki Magazine, Finland, 1979

Rockabilly star Dave Taylor deported from Finland: "I'm baffled!"

Caption:
English Rockabilly star who has been working in Finland for over two years is very sad. He has been branded as a non-desirable alien, due to a series of unfortunate coincidences. Dave has a large amount of finished recording material, but now he can't release it here. So, the release date will have to be postponed until he can return to Finland, the country which he has come to regard as his home.


Dave Taylor was doing well. There were plenty of gigs, and Finnish audiences were keen to go and see Dave's shows. Dave had even set up his own company. Then everything turned upside down.

Suosikki: What exactly is going on?

DT: I have overstayed in Finland illegally for two weeks. I won't now be granted a residence permit.

Suosikki: How did things come to this?

DT: It started when I left Vexi Salmi's company to set up my own publishing business. I also changed agents from Polartuotanto to Scanvox. This was the fatal move. Nobody notified the Aliens' Office that I was now employed by a different company. I didn't know that the Aliens' Office had to be notified, neither did my new company. Since I had been in Finland for two and a half years continuously, we thought that my paperwork was in order. The company lawyer, who is also my personal lawyer, has been finding out if the situation could be rectified and the deportation order reversed, but it's too late to do anything. I have committed an infringement under Finnish law, because I have stayed in the country without notifying the Aliens' Office.

Suosikki: Presumably the error can be put right and you will be able to return soon?

DT: I'm not allowed to return for six months. I have fallen into disfavour. The head of the Aliens' Office, Eila Kännö, is very strict when it comes to these matters. Explanations break no ice. Several people have contacted her on my behalf. Even Vexi Salmi has offered to renew my application, but of course that wouldn't be right anyway. Documentary warfare isn't going to save me now.

Suosikki: How do you feel about this?

DT: Terrible. I'm completely baffled. although it's not the first time I have been deported from Finland.

Suosikki: Of course we all know about that one , that was a disgraceful act  by the Finnish Government?

DT: Well it was certainly a surprise to me at the time!

Suosikki: Finland is like home to you by now?

DT: Yes. I have an apartment, a car and my own company here. I play at least four shows a week, so I am in regular employment. But this is not getting through to the authorities. I could understand that maybe I wouldn't be wanted if I were really a criminal. This country seems to be as strict as the USA. The worst part is that I had signed a contract with my new agency, and my shows are booked up six months in advance. I'm sure that the organisers will not like cancellations.

Suosikki: What are your plans now?

DT: I may head off to Canada. My parents are living there. I could go and see them and check out the possibilities of working over there. Although I don't have much interest in anything at the moment. I'd like to stay in Finland. I can't understand that I can't get as much as a visitor's visa for Finland, even if the authorities won't issue a work permit.

Suosikki: Of course, there is one solution…

DT: I know. I should marry a Finnish girl. But who???


Translation from Finnish by EFT Translations

Rockin Dave - Mister Boogie Woogie -Midnight Rock