C R O S S R O A D E R

Formed in 1973 by 18-year old guitarist-vocalist Urpo Pakarinen, 16-year old guitarist Jari Arasola and 14-year old drummer-vocalist Petri Nummi. The band rehearsed in Arasola’s carage in Tapiola, a few miles west of Helsinki, Finland under the name Kroisos Pennonen (John D. Ruckerduck). They played songs by The Who, The Rolling Stones, Free and CCR and managed to get a few gigs in some private parties…

Line up 1973-75:

• Urpo “Upa” Pakarinen – lead vocals and guitar

• Jari Arasola – guitar

• Ari Heikkilä – bass

• Petri “Pete” Nummi – drums and vocals
   

By 1975 Kroisos Pennonen turned into Crossroader and continued to play material from the Stones, Bad Company, The Who, Rod Stewart and Led Zeppelin. Crossroader played several gigs at high school parties in Helsinki and Espoo. Petri Nummi had given up the drums and focused on singing:
 

• Petri Nummi – lead vocals

• Jari Arasola - guitar

• Pentti “Kena” Ukkonen – bass

• Seppo Palonen - drums
   

In 1977 a promising drummer Jan Noponen subbed in drums until Seppo Palonen was finally replaced by Mika Saksela. Some gigs were played under the name Dalton. The band broke up in the fall of 1978 when most of the members had finished high school and went to serve in the armed forces for 11 months.
 

In the spring of 1979, Pete Nummi made a special appearance at his old high schools roof concert, with guitarist Martti Rechardt, drummer Ari Ilaskivi and Heikki Nuorteva on bass. Both Rechardt and Ilaskivi got their first taste of backing up “Finland’s Mick Jagger” on that day. Sadly, after just three songs (Jumping Jack Flash, Live With Me and Honky Tonk Woman) the concert was called off by the schools principal, due to noise complaints by the nearby residents. Pete’s sarcastic last words were: “Ok, we’re leaving but the sun will remain…”
 

By 1981 Pete and Jari formed a new line-up and started practicing and still using the name Dalton. Most songs were by the Stones, but a few own compositions were included. Soon the band would play local concerts and fraternity parties:
 

• Pete Nummi – vocals

• Jari Arasola – guitar

• Petri Kokko – guitar

• Juha Mieskonen – bass

• Ari Ilaskivi – drums
   

By 1983 Ari Ilaskivi and Juha Mieskonen joined their old school buddies to form Baysix and the rest of the band went their own ways. Everyone remained active in music business.
 

In 1985-87 Crossroader made a few gigs in Helsinki, e.g. Vanha Poli. The musicians were from Arasola's other band called I5.
 

• Pete Nummi - vocals

• Jari Arasola - guitar

• Jari Martikainen - keyboards

• Ilpo Hausalo - bass

• Raimo Henriksson - drums
   

In 1999 Ari Ilaskivi had invited Pete, Jari A. and Jari M. to celebrate his 40th anniversary at High Light Cafe club in Helsinki. The guests were entertained by several bands, including the comeback gig by Baysix. But there was also another “reunion” in the air: At the stage Pete Nummi was joined by Ilaskivi, Arasola and Martikainen, this time backed up by Rami Hillilä on bass and Vesa Jurvakainen on guitar. Ilaskivi, Rechardt, Martikainen and Hillilä played at that time also in a band called Aurinkomaa. This lead to reforming Crossroader and the line-up included also the original Crossroader bass-player…
 

• Pete Nummi – vocals

• Jari Arasola – guitar

• Martti Rechardt – guitar and vocals

• Jari Martikainen – keyboards

• Pentti Ukkonen – bass and vocals

• Ari Ilaskivi – drums
   

In the summer 2010 Martti Rechardt had made the hard decision to leave the band. He played his last gig with the group on June the 14th at the Esplanade Stage in Helsinki. And exactly a year later - on June 14th 2011 a new guitarist - Reijo Saarainen was introduced, as Crossroader celebrated the 70th birthday of Charlie Watts at the On The Rocks. Reijo is also known of his work with Chelsea Hotel, a Helsinki-based band.
 

 The 2011 line-up:

• Pete Nummi – vocals

• Jari Arasola – guitar

• Reijo Saarainen – guitar and vocals

• Jari Martikainen – keyboards and vocals

• Pentti Ukkonen – bass and vocals

• Ari Ilaskivi – drums
   

After 1999 Crossroader has performed live in clubs (e.g. Juttutupa and On The Rocks), fairs and out-door concerts, including Nurmirock 2002 – playing only material recorded or played live by The Rolling Stones. On stage Crossroader has often been seen with back-up singers Leonna Aho, Mari Suistola, Sanna Ukkonen, Ile Lahtinen, Tuuli Nummi, Seija Häkkinen, Wilma Vartiainen, Juhani Nummi and Elina Kemppainen.