# Ville Valo > Finnish singer **Wikidata**: [Q25378](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q25378) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ville_Valo) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ville-valo ## Summary Ville Hermanni Valo is a Finnish singer, songwriter, and recording artist, best known as the lead vocalist and frontman of the gothic rock band HIM. He is also recognized for his work with the bands Daniel Lioneye and Agents, as well as for creating the heartagram symbol. Active since 1991, Valo has received the Finnish National Prize for his cultural contributions. ## Biography - **Born:** November 22, 1976 - **Nationality:** Finnish - **Education:** Not available in source material - **Known for:** Lead vocalist of HIM, creating the heartagram, and work with Daniel Lioneye - **Employer(s):** Warner Bros. Entertainment (record label) - **Field(s):** Music (Rock music, Gothic rock) ## Contributions Ville Valo's primary contribution is his role as the lead singer of the band HIM, a Finnish gothic rock group formed in 1995. He has been a recording artist since 1991 and is also a member of the Finnish band Daniel Lioneye, which began in 2001. Additionally, Valo performs with the band Agents. He is the creator of the heartagram, a symbol widely associated with his artistic brand. His work has been recognized by the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture, which conferred upon him the Finnish National Prize. ## FAQs **What bands is Ville Valo a member of?** Ville Valo is the lead vocalist of the gothic rock band HIM, formed in 1995. He is also a member of the Finnish band Daniel Lioneye, established in 2001, and the band Agents. **When did Ville Valo start his music career?** Valo's professional work period began in 1991. He has been active as a singer, songwriter, and recording artist since that time. **What is the heartagram?** The heartagram is a symbol created by Ville Valo. It serves as a distinctive emblem associated with his music and public persona, appearing on his website and social media handles. **What awards has Ville Valo received?** Ville Valo is a recipient of the Finnish National Prize, an annual cultural award conferred by the Ministry of Education and Culture of Finland. ## Why They Matter Ville Valo holds a significant place in the rock music genre, particularly within the gothic rock scene, through his leadership of HIM. The band, formed in 1995, achieved notable recognition, contributing to the global visibility of Finnish rock music. His creation of the heartagram established a lasting visual brand in music culture. Furthermore, his recognition with the Finnish National Prize highlights his importance to the cultural fabric of Finland, a nation known for high democratic standards and rich cultural output. ## Notable For - **Lead Vocalist of HIM:** Fronting the Finnish gothic rock band HIM since its inception in 1995. - **Daniel Lioneye:** Membership in the Finnish band Daniel Lioneye, formed in 2001. - **Agents:** Membership in the band Agents. - **Heartagram:** Creation and popularization of the heartagram symbol. - **Finnish National Prize:** Recipient of the annual cultural award from the Ministry of Education and Culture of Finland. - **Record Label:** Association with Warner Bros. Entertainment. - **Longevity:** Professional work period spanning from 1991 to the present. ## Body ### Identity and Background Ville Hermanni Valo is a human and a citizen of Finland, a sovereign state located in Northern Europe. Finland is a parliamentary republic with a population of approximately 5.6 million as of early 2024, known for its high standards of living, linguistic diversity (Finnish and Swedish), and membership in international organizations like the European Union and NATO. Valo was born on November 22, 1976. He is also known by the aliases VV and Valo. ### Musical Career and Occupations Valo's primary occupations are singer, songwriter, and recording artist. His work period began in 1991. He is professionally associated with the genre of rock music, specifically gothic rock. Throughout his career, he has been signed to Warner Bros. Entertainment, an American entertainment company founded in 1923. ### Band Affiliations Valo is a member of several prominent musical groups: * **HIM:** A Finnish gothic rock band that Valo fronted. The band was formed in 1995 and is recognized as a significant entity in the genre. * **Daniel Lioneye:** A Finnish band formed on January 1, 2001. Valo is a member of this group alongside his work in HIM. * **Agents:** Valo is also a member of the band Agents, as indicated by his professional associations and photographic evidence. ### Artistic Symbols and Branding Ville Valo is the originator of the "heartagram," a symbol that has become synonymous with his artistic identity. This symbol is featured prominently in his digital presence, including his official website (heartagram.com) and social media handles such as his Twitter username (@heartagram). ### Recognition and Awards Valo's contributions to music and culture have been officially recognized by the Finnish government. He is a recipient of the Finnish National Prize, an annual cultural award conferred by the Ministry of Education and Culture of Finland. This award places him among the notable cultural figures of the nation. ### Digital Presence Valo maintains a significant digital footprint across various platforms. His online presence includes: * **Website:** http://www.heartagram.com * **Instagram:** @valohermanni * **Twitter:** @heartagram * **YouTube:** Channels associated with IDs UC3oXsS0U1-G_oiQ6WQ-ophw and UCRCSAXkYcOMtKX2ldb6CLDw. ## References 1. Integrated Authority File 2. [Source](https://yle.fi/a/74-20188723) 3. International Standard Name Identifier 4. MusicBrainz 5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 6. Virtual International Authority File 7. CONOR.SI 8. [Source](https://www.inferno.fi/uutiset/ville-valo-seikkailee-taas-tutuissa-soundimaailmoissa-kuuntele-uusi-gothica-fennica-ep/) 9. Discogs 10. [Source](https://yle.fi/aihe/a/20-230262) 11. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/Ville_Valo-9YYBW)