Mikko Lindström

Mikko Viljami Lindström (born 12 August 1976) is the lead guitarist of the Finnish rock band, HIM. Lindström is commonly called by his nickname, Linde.

Lindström was born near Helsinki, Finland and during his childhood, his father (Olli) worked as an engineer and his mother Riita as a stewardess on Finnair, the national airline. Linde also has a younger brother named Jude, who was born four years after Linde. Linde was an introverted boy notable only for his bobbed blond hair and glasses. He developed a passion for music at an early age. Lindström’s father has always been an avid music fan and especially loves Elvis Presley. Lindström was given his first guitar, an acoustic mini Landola, for Christmas at the age of 10. Himself and keyboardist Burton are the only current members of HIM who do not have a heartagram tattoo. He has a daughter named Olivia, born 6 March 2003, with his previous common law wife, Mariam “Manna” Jäntti. Linde skipped playing Top of the Pops to be there when his daughter was born; thus, Valo appeared singing and playing a Gibson Flying V.

Lindström is known to have a particular fondness of Jimi Hendrix as well as Iggy Pop, whom he was reportedly very pleased to meet at an award show. He also idolizes Steve Vai, John Lee Hooker, Tony Iommi, Philip McClean, and Elvis Presley.

In the studio, Linde uses primarily Gibson SGs, and uses them exclusively live. For the recording of Venus Doom, Linde also used baritone guitars by ESP and Danelectro, as well as a Fender Telecaster for some solos. He has used Gibson Les Pauls, Fender Stratocasters, and a Gretsch Chet Atkins model for his clean sounds.