Czech Musician Robert Křestťan Details “Gradual Death” of American Dream, Life Story in new Book
Prague – A new biography, Robert Křestťan / Writing texts hurts me by Tomáš Hrubý, offers a revealing look into the five-decade musical career and personal journey of Czech singer-songwriter Robert Křestťan. The book details Křestťan’s path from a childhood in Brno with his librarian mother and estranged, conspiracy-minded opera singer father, to achieving rock stardom in Czechoslovakia, pursuing the “American dream,” and ultimately returning to a life of seclusion.
Křestťan’s early musical endeavors began at age thirteen with the band Trapery. He later gained national recognition with the Pilgrims, winning the main interpretation prize at the 1980s Porta festival in Pilsen, attended by 30,000 people, and also winning the festival’s award for the song “Panenka.” The Pilgrims’ debut album sold 120,000 copies within a month, propelling the band to a rigorous touring schedule of up to 200 concerts annually. By the late 1980s, Křestťan was earning approximately 15,000 crowns a month - a ample sum at the time, when average salaries ranged from 2,000 to 3,000 crowns. He then co-founded Druhá trava with banjoist Luboš Malina after leaving the Pilgrims.
The book explores Křestťan’s experience with emigration to the United States, which he describes as a ”gradual death.” He now lives in a cottage in the vysočina region.
Hrubý’s work also functions as a guide to the musical influences of Křestťan, referencing foundational bluegrass artists like Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs, and Bill Monroe. The book further addresses Křestťan’s perspectives on the representation of Native Americans in Western films, noting his preference for casting choices like those in John Ford’s films where Navajos portray Cheyenne and apache characters.
“A person doesn’t really understand life at all. And then he dies - and that’s the onyl moment when you actually understand the whole life,” Křestťan states in the book.
