Kari Tapio (born Kari Tapani Jalkanen, November 22, 1945 in Suonenjoki, Finland – December 7, 2010 in Espoo, Finland) was a Finnish schlager-singer. He has been one of the most popular singers in Finland for decades. In the 1960s Kari Tapio performed in his current home city Pieksämäki with the local bands ER-Quartet and Jami & The Noisemakers. In 1966 he got some singing teaching from Ture Ara. After his first single "Tuuli kääntyköön"/"Niskavuoren nuorimmainen" in 1972 Kari Tapio performed in Ilkka "Danny" Lipsanen's show.