Radio Elton John was very saddened to learn that Urpu Kallio has passed away suddenly, earlier this month.

Urpu began as Hercules Finland chief in the 1990s and in 2024 took over as the inaugural independent reviewer of REJ episodes, in the Listening Post column.

Urpu also appeared in the fan forum episode of ENCORE! for Elton and Brandi’s new album Who Believes In Angels in April 2025.

In March 2026, Urpu stepped down from the Listening Post role, to be replaced by Miquel Sala.

Helsinki resident Urpu once told the Hercules fanzine a hilarious story of how in 1997 she was driving her father’s car and was playing the new Elton John album. One song on there proved a challenge for control of the car. Recover Your Soul played on the car stereo, and the words came up “Release, relax, let go”.

Unfortunately, Urpu took that too literally and before you knew where the brake pedal was, she landed the car in a ditch! No one was hurt.

REJ and eltonjohn.world will miss the kind-hearted and high-spirited Urpu. Our condolences to her family and friends.