Kari Tapio (born Kari Tapani Jalkanen, November 22, 1945, in Suonenjoki, Finland) is a popular Finnish schlager or "iskelmä" vocalist.
Tapio started his career in the 1960s in such small local bands as ER-Quartet and Jami & the Noisemakers. His first solo single, "Tuuli Kääntyköön" (Let the Wind Turn), appeared in 1972, but he spent most of the early decade working odd jobs in the music business, including that of snake wrangler for the successful pop singer Danny on his Snake, Rattle and Roll tour. He toured and recorded with the country-influenced band Aikapommi (Time Bomb) in 1973-1974, but his real breakthrough came in 1976 with the single "Laula Kanssain" (a Finnish translation of Al Martino's "Sing My Love Song").
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