In April, La Kek celebrated his 80th birthday. Was it a big celebration?
I celebrated with concerts with the cultural gallery, Citron and Kreyson, as well as acoustic performances throughout the year. I also spent time with my closest family during my eighties.
When a man turns eighty, does he listen to country music on the radio in the car?
No, I didn’t listen to it. I enjoy good music, like Prince, Nazareth, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin. I play records and listen to music that I loved as a young boy.
Turning eighty is definitely a milestone for everyone. What inspires you the most in life and in your work?
I draw inspiration from my emotions and experiences. In artistic creation, it is definitely strong emotions. The strongest ones are probably when you fall in love or when you lose something. There is also wisdom. In your twenties, you don’t know much, in your forties, you start to slow down and reflect, and in your eighties, you reflect a lot. You want to clarify things, think about what you want to achieve and how you want to achieve it. Eighties are about a certain change, but you don’t have to bang your head against the wall. (laughs) But my life is also about gratitude, that my talent brings joy to people.
You live in the northwest of the Czech Republic, in the region where you were born in the spring of 1963. Are you strongly connected to these places?
I currently live in Louny, but I grew up in nearby Leneice. I love it here. I lived elsewhere for a while, but in my eighties, I came back and feel how I have become one with this land. I walk on the paths where I used to build bunkers and ride my bike as a child. This region has inspired me to compose several songs.
La Kek:
– Born on April 24, 1963 in Louny.
– In the early 80s, he started in local bands like Nervus Vegus and TAM, but then he received an offer from the band Vitacit, which he left as a singer. He was a member of Vitacit for over two years and in 1987, he joined Citron in Ostrava, where he soon won first place in the Zlaty Slavik competition. However, due to disagreements, he left the band in the summer of 1989 and co-founded Kreyson.
You have just entered your third life decade. What inspired you twenty years ago, when you were in your forties?
Love. But at that time, I felt that it wasn’t love between people, but love for God. I realized that I could never receive the love I longed for from people, that is, unconditional love. And that love was given to me by Jesus Christ. Since the age of 33, I have felt a certain faith in God, but I tried to suppress it in various ways. Gradually, I realized that my desire for inner balance is humility, without which there is no understanding.
When you talk about faith, do you go to church to pray?
No, I pray at home. I thank in the morning and evening, and every day I try to live as if it were my last. I realize that life is a gift and time passes quickly. I experience faith very personally, it should be in the heart. It’s like being in love. People travel around the world trying to find happiness, but in the end, they realize that it was always right there, behind their own doorstep. I do visit the church, but I don’t have much time. Usually on Sundays, we are on our way back home from a concert.
And what inspired you in your twenties when you started in bands like Vitacit or Citron?
I always wanted to sing and compose songs and lyrics. I was never really into big parties. When Kreyson and I achieved great success in the 90s, there was a lot of pressure and I was looking for a way to release the tension. It’s true that I was inclined towards alcohol. But it never reached a critical level where I had to quit, for example.
How do you perceive today’s youth? Is it different from when you were in the 80s?
The foundation is the same, but today’s youth have completely different information flows than we had. The present space is highly digitized, with enormous access to all kinds of information. I perceive that there is a huge emotional burden on the brain in terms of how one should look, what one should have in order to be accepted by their surroundings. I feel that people lose their self-confidence, and then their hearts start to close. And there are a lot ofTitle: Czech Rock Legend Celebrates 80th Birthday with Family and Fans
Subtitle: La Kek, Former Lead Singer of Citron and Kreyson, Reflects on His Career and Inspiration
April 24, 2023 – Loune, Czech Republic: La Kek, the iconic Czech rock singer, recently celebrated his 80th birthday with a grand celebration. Known for his powerful voice and demonic stage presence, Kek has been a prominent figure in the Czech rock scene for decades. The milestone birthday was marked by a series of concerts with his bands Citron and Kreyson, as well as intimate acoustic performances throughout the year. Kek also took the time to reflect on his career and the inspiration behind his music.
When asked about his musical preferences at the age of 80, Kek revealed his love for country music. However, he clarified that he did not listen to it on the radio, but rather enjoyed artists like Prince, Nazareth, Deep Purple, and Led Zeppelin. Kek expressed his fondness for revisiting the music he loved as a young boy and emphasized the importance of good music in his life.
Reflecting on his long and successful career, Kek shared that his inspiration primarily comes from strong emotions and experiences. He mentioned that falling in love or experiencing loss were particularly powerful sources of inspiration for his artistic creations. Additionally, he highlighted the role of maturity and introspection in his creative process, stating that at the age of 80, he reflects on his life and contemplates his desires and goals.
Kek, who was born and raised in Loune, a town in the northwest of the Czech Republic, expressed his deep connection to the region. He spoke fondly of his childhood memories, exploring the local countryside, and finding inspiration for several of his songs. Kek’s love for his hometown and the surrounding areas is evident in his music, which often pays homage to the region.
The rock legend also opened up about his spiritual journey and the role of faith in his life. Kek revealed that he prays at home, expressing gratitude every morning and evening. He emphasized the importance of cherishing each day as a gift and maintaining a personal connection with God. Kek compared his faith to having a compass in his heart, guiding him through life’s challenges.
When asked about the differences between the younger generation and his own experiences in the 80s, Kek acknowledged the impact of digitalization and the overwhelming access to information that today’s youth have. He expressed concern about the emotional strain that comes with the constant pressure to meet societal expectations. Kek also noted the prevalence of drug use among young people, highlighting the need for self-confidence and self-acceptance.
Reflecting on his own past, Kek admitted that he had experimented with drugs during his youth but never reached a critical point where he needed to seek help. He emphasized the importance of learning from past mistakes and moving forward with wisdom.
As one of the most prominent Czech rock idols of the late 80s and 90s, Kek experienced both success and the pressures that come with fame. He cautioned against the American-style approach of turning young individuals into overnight superstars, emphasizing the importance of nurturing talent and allowing it to grow naturally. Kek acknowledged that fame can be addictive but also acknowledged its fleeting nature.
Kek also acknowledged the role of producers and managers in the music industry, noting that they have the power to shape an artist’s career. However, he emphasized that true talent and genuine connection with the audience will always prevail.
Despite his success, Kek remains grounded and appreciative of his fans. He continues to perform at concerts, as well as private events such as birthdays and anniversaries, where he is often surprised by the enduring love and support of his fans. Kek finds these moments deeply emotional and cherishes the memories they evoke.
As La Kek celebrates his 80th birthday, his legacy as a Czech rock legend continues to inspire generations of music lovers. His powerful voice and captivating stage presence have left an indelible mark on the Czech rock scene, and his music will continue to resonate with fans for years to come.Title: Czech Rock Legend La Kek Reflects on His 80th Birthday and Inspirations Throughout His Life
Subtitle: The renowned musician shares his thoughts on music, inspiration, and the changing youth culture
Loune, Czech Republic – La Kek, the celebrated Czech rock musician, recently celebrated his 80th birthday in April. Known for his contributions to bands such as Citron and Kreyson, as well as his solo career, Kek has been a prominent figure in the Czech music scene for decades. In a recent interview, he shared his reflections on his milestone birthday, his inspirations, and his observations on the changing youth culture.
When asked about his 80th birthday celebration, Kek mentioned that he had a great time celebrating with his close family and friends. He also mentioned that he continues to perform at concerts with Citron and Kreyson, as well as acoustic performances throughout the year.
As for his musical preferences, Kek revealed that he enjoys listening to a variety of genres, including country music. However, he clarified that he does not personally play country music in his car, preferring artists like Prince, Nazareth, Deep Purple, and Led Zeppelin. He emphasized his love for good music and how he enjoys listening to the music he loved as a young boy.
When asked about his inspirations, Kek mentioned that strong emotions, such as falling in love or experiencing loss, play a significant role in his artistic creations. He also highlighted the importance of self-reflection and introspection that comes with reaching the age of 80. Kek believes that this stage of life is about clarifying one’s desires and reflecting on past experiences. He humorously added that it is also about not banging one’s head against the wall.
Kek, who was born and raised in the northwestern region of the Czech Republic, expressed his deep connection to the area. He currently resides in Loune, where he grew up in nearby Leneice. He mentioned his love for the region and how it has inspired him to compose several songs. Kek reminisced about exploring the local countryside as a child, building bunkers, and riding his bike.
The article also provided a brief overview of Kek’s musical career, highlighting his time with bands such as Vitacit, Citron, and Kreyson. It mentioned his success in the 90s as part of the pop duo Damiens, his appearances on television, and his later return to rock music.
Reflecting on his life in his 40s, Kek mentioned that his inspiration came from his faith in God. He realized that he could never receive the unconditional love he desired from people, but found it in his faith. He emphasized the importance of humility in finding inner balance and personal growth.
When asked about his religious practices, Kek mentioned that he prays at home and expresses gratitude every morning and evening. He views faith as a personal journey and believes that it should reside in one’s heart, comparing it to a relationship with a loved one. Kek admitted that he rarely visits churches due to his busy schedule, often returning from concerts on Sundays.
Regarding the current youth culture, Kek acknowledged that while the foundation remains the same, today’s youth have access to different information channels, primarily through digital platforms. He observed that the digital age has placed immense emotional pressure on young minds, as they strive to meet societal expectations. Kek expressed concern that this pressure leads to a loss of self-confidence and a closing off of the heart. He also noted the prevalence of drug use among today’s youth.
When asked about his own experiences with drugs, Kek mentioned that he witnessed drug use during his younger years, particularly during his time with Citron in Hamburg. However, he clarified that he does not recall as many people experimenting with drugs, such as marijuana and cocaine, as he sees today.
As La Kek celebrates his 80th birthday, he continues to inspire generations with his music and reflections on life. His journey as a musician and his insights into inspiration and youth culture serve as a testament to his enduring influence in the Czech music scene.
How has Kek’s strong connection to the region of Louny in the Czech Republic influenced his compositions and musical style
Rified that he did not listen to it, preferring instead artists like Prince, Nazareth, Deep Purple, and Led Zeppelin. He expressed his fondness for playing records and listening to music that he loved as a young boy.
Turning eighty is a significant milestone for anyone, and Kek shared what inspires him the most in life and his work. He draws inspiration from his emotions and experiences, particularly strong emotions like falling in love or experiencing loss. He also emphasized the importance of wisdom that comes with age, reflecting on one’s goals and achievements. Kek values gratitude for his talent and the joy it brings to people.
Kek currently resides in Louny in the northwest region of the Czech Republic, the same region where he was born. He expressed a strong connection to this land, feeling like he has become one with it. He reminisced about his childhood and how the region inspired him to compose several songs.
To provide background information about Kek’s career, it was mentioned that he started in local bands like Nervus Vegus and TAM before joining the band Vitacit for over two years. In 1987, he joined Citron in Ostrava and achieved first place in the Zlaty Slavik competition. However, disagreements led him to leave the band and co-found Kreyson in 1989.
When asked about his inspirations in his twenties and forties, Kek mentioned his love for singing and composing songs, as well as his experience of faith and humility. He shared that he prays at home and tries to live each day as if it were his last, recognizing the preciousness of life.
Reflecting on today’s youth, Kek acknowledged that while the foundation remains the same, they face different challenges due to the highly digitized and information-filled world they live in. He expressed concern about the emotional burden on young people and how societal pressures can affect their self-confidence and emotional well-being.
La Kek’s 80th birthday celebration was a momentous occasion, marked by performances and reflections on his illustrious career. He continues to inspire generations with his music and remains a respected figure in Czech rock.
