Karel Zich
Encyclopedia
Karel Zich was a Czech
singer, guitarist and composer.
, Czechoslovakia
, into a musical family. His grandfather was Otakar Zich
, composer and professor of music aesthetics, and his uncle was the composer Jaroslav Zich. Karel attended the Prague State Conservatory (Státní konzervatoř Praha) for three years and later graduated from Charles University in sociology
.
Between 1964 and 1965 he performed with the band Framus
as a singer. In 1968 Zich joined Spirituál kvintet
and stayed with them until 1973. His main interest was in rock'n'roll, and he is sometimes called the "Czech Elvis"
.
After his successes in the Czech pop scene with various bands, Zich decided to start his solo career. In 1974 he left Spirituál kvintet and in 1976 released his first album, Dům č.5 (House No. 5). Although he sang his own songs, he also worked with famous composers Karel Svoboda
, Petr Janda
, and others.
In 1975 Zich reached the top of his career by winning 4th place in Zlatý Slavík
. In 1979 he founded the band Flop and recorded 50 singles and 15 albums, one with the legendary Wanda Jackson
. During his career Zich sold over one million discs and performed at thousands of concerts in most European countries, the USA, Canada
, Brazil
, Chile
and elsewhere. His most famous song is Paráda (Parade).
In his last years he often performed guitar solos and sometimes performed with his band. In 1992 he joined Spirituál kvintet again.
, Corsica
.
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
singer, guitarist and composer.
Life
Karel Zich was born in PraguePrague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
, Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
, into a musical family. His grandfather was Otakar Zich
Otakar Zich
Otakar Zich was a distinguished Czech composer and aesthetician.- Biography :...
, composer and professor of music aesthetics, and his uncle was the composer Jaroslav Zich. Karel attended the Prague State Conservatory (Státní konzervatoř Praha) for three years and later graduated from Charles University in sociology
Sociology
Sociology is the study of society. It is a social science—a term with which it is sometimes synonymous—which uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about human social activity...
.
Between 1964 and 1965 he performed with the band Framus
Framus
Framus is a German guitar, bass, lap steel guitars and banjo manufacturing company, that existed from 1946 until going bankrupt in 1975. The Framus brand was revived in 1995 as part of Warwick GmbH & Co Music Equipment KG in Markneukirchen ....
as a singer. In 1968 Zich joined Spirituál kvintet
Spirituál kvintet
Spirituál kvintet is a Czech Folk music band formed in 1960 by Jiří Tichota and others. Its importance for the Czech public can be compared with the Weavers for the US. Both the band's publisher and independent reviews consider it as a legend and one of the best Czech bands...
and stayed with them until 1973. His main interest was in rock'n'roll, and he is sometimes called the "Czech Elvis"
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
.
After his successes in the Czech pop scene with various bands, Zich decided to start his solo career. In 1974 he left Spirituál kvintet and in 1976 released his first album, Dům č.5 (House No. 5). Although he sang his own songs, he also worked with famous composers Karel Svoboda
Karel Svoboda
Karel Svoboda was a Czech composer of popular music. He wrote music for many TV series in the 1970s.- Works :...
, Petr Janda
Petr Janda
Petr Janda is a Czech football player who currently plays for Slavia Prague. Usually plays on right/left wing, but in season 2009/2010 played as Attacking midfielder. He was also a regular for the Czech Republic national under-21 football team.His main attributes are pace and dribbling...
, and others.
In 1975 Zich reached the top of his career by winning 4th place in Zlatý Slavík
Zlatý slavík
Zlatý slavík was a music poll established by magazine Mladý svět along with Smena na nedeľu in 1962, and brodcasted on television.As later exposed, since the 70's the entries very frequently falsified by Communist Party of Czechoslovakia . The poll lasted until 1991, prior to the dissolution of...
. In 1979 he founded the band Flop and recorded 50 singles and 15 albums, one with the legendary Wanda Jackson
Wanda Jackson
Wanda Lavonne Jackson is an American singer, songwriter, pianist and guitarist who had success in the mid-1950s and 60s as one of the first popular female rockabilly singers and a pioneering rock and roll artist...
. During his career Zich sold over one million discs and performed at thousands of concerts in most European countries, the USA, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
and elsewhere. His most famous song is Paráda (Parade).
In his last years he often performed guitar solos and sometimes performed with his band. In 1992 he joined Spirituál kvintet again.
Death
Karel Zich died of complications following a heart attack during a diving holiday in Porto-VecchioPorto-Vecchio
Porto-Vecchio is a commune in the Corse-du-Sud department of France on the island of Corsica.It is the seat of the canton of Porto-Vecchio, which it shares with Sari-Solenzara, Conca and Lecci. Port-Vecchio is a medium-sized port city placed on a good harbor, the southernmost of the marshy and...
, Corsica
Corsica
Corsica is an island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is located west of Italy, southeast of the French mainland, and north of the island of Sardinia....
.