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. 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. Turning eighty is about a certain change, and you don’t want to bang your head against the wall anymore. (laughs) But my life is also about gratitude, that my talent brings joy to people.
You live in the northwest of the Czech Republic, 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 like 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.
■ He gained the most fame in the late 90s, when he formed the pop duo Damiens with his brother Miroslav Kek. They often performed on television and also appeared in musicals. Later, he returned to rock music, revived Kreyson, and also played with Citron again.
You have just entered your third decade of life. 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, 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.
Speaking of faith, do you go to church to pray?
No, I pray at home. I thank God 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. My faith is very personal, it should be in the heart. It’s like having a relationship with someone. People travel all over the world trying to find happiness, but in the end, they realize that it was always right in front of their home. I do visit churches, 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 write 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 a bit. But it never reached a critical level where I had to quit, for example.
How do you perceive today’s youthTitle: 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.
In terms of spirituality, Kek shared that he finds solace in his personal prayers at home. He expressed gratitude for his talent and the joy it brings to people’s lives. While he does not regularly attend church due to his busy schedule, Kek acknowledged the importance of faith in his heart and compared it to having a close relationship with a loved one.
When asked about the differences between the younger generation and his own experiences in the 80s, Kek noted the significant impact of digitalization and the abundance of information available to today’s youth. He expressed concern about the emotional strain caused by societal expectations and the prevalence of drugs among young people.
Reflecting on his own past, Kek admitted to experimenting with drugs during his youth but emphasized that it never reached a critical level. He acknowledged the importance of learning from past mistakes and moving forward with the lessons learned.
Kek’s career has seen its fair share of success and fame, but he also acknowledged the challenges that come with it. He criticized the American-style approach to turning young individuals into superstars, highlighting the pressure and potential pitfalls of such a path. Kek emphasized the importance of nurturing young talent without exploiting them for the sake of the media industry.
Despite the ups and downs of his career, Kek remains grateful for the support of his fans. He continues to perform at concerts, including private events such as birthdays and anniversaries, where he is often surprised by the presence of his band’s posters on the walls. These moments serve as a reminder of the impact his music has had on people’s lives and the lasting memories it has created.
As La Kek celebrates his 80th birthday, his legacy as a Czech rock legend remains intact. His powerful voice and captivating stage presence continue to inspire generations of rock enthusiasts, and his music serves as a testament to his enduring talent and passion for the art form.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 his childhood, exploring the local countryside, and building bunkers.
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 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 pressure on young people to conform to societal expectations, leading to a loss of self-confidence and closed hearts. Kek also expressed concern about the prevalence of drug use among the youth.
In conclusion, La Kek’s 80th birthday marks a significant milestone in his illustrious career. The legendary musician continues to inspire audiences with his music and reflects on his life experiences, offering valuable insights into the changing cultural landscape. As he enters a new decade, Kek’s passion for music and his dedication to his craft remain as strong as ever.
Why does Kek feel a strong connection to the region where he was born and how has it influenced his music
As he entered into his eighties.
When asked about his music preferences at the age of eighty, Kek shared that he still enjoys listening to Prince, Nazareth, Deep Purple, and Led Zeppelin, among others. He prefers to play records and listen to the music he loved as a young boy.
Turning eighty is undoubtedly a significant milestone for anyone, and Kek draws his inspiration from strong emotions and experiences. He believes that falling in love or losing something are the strongest emotions that inspire artistic creation. He also values wisdom, as he believes that with age comes clarity and reflection. Turning eighty signifies a certain change and a desire to achieve and clarify one’s goals. Kek also mentioned that his life is built on gratitude, as his talent brings joy to people.
Living in Louny, in the northwest of the Czech Republic, Kek feels a strong connection to the region where he was born. He grew up in nearby Leneice and has returned to the area in his eighties, feeling like he has become one with the land. This region has been a significant inspiration for him, and several of his songs were inspired by his experiences there.
La Kek’s journey in the music industry began in the early 80s when he started playing in local bands such as Nervus Vegus and TAM. He then received an offer to join the band Vitacit as a singer and was part of the group for over two years. In 1987, he joined Citron in Ostrava and won first place in the Zlaty Slavik competition. However, due to disagreements, he left Citron in 1989 and co-founded Kreyson. Kek gained significant fame in the late 90s when he formed the pop duo Damiens with his brother Miroslav Kek. They performed on television and appeared in musicals. Later, Kek returned to rock music, revived Kreyson, and played with Citron again.
When asked about his inspirations in his forties, Kek mentioned that love played a significant role in his life but clarified it was not love between people, but love for God. He expressed that he felt unconditional love from Jesus Christ, which brought him inner balance and humility. Kek also shared that his faith is personal and does not require church visits to pray. He values each day as a gift and tries to live as if it were his last.
As for his views on today’s youth, Kek shared that he has always wanted to sing and write songs, and he was not as interested in big parties. He mentioned facing pressure during the success of Kreyson in the 90s and turning to alcohol as a way to release tension. However, it never became a critical issue that required him to quit.
La Kek’s 80th birthday celebration was a remarkable event, commemorated with concerts, performances, and time spent with family. As he reflects on his career and inspiration, it is evident that his music and experiences continue to shape his life and bring joy to others.
