The Thrill of the Stage: A musician’s Perspective on Age and energy
Turning seventy can be daunting for anyone, but for musicians, it can feel especially meaningful. As one seasoned performer put it, “Seventy is a terrible number, but the sixties and fifties were just as terrible.Fortunately, I have fans with me the whole time who allow me to move away from those uncomfortable numbers.” The connection with the audience at a concert becomes a powerful antidote to the passage of time.
This interaction, he explains, generates a palpable energy that transcends the physical. He describes it as “an engine, a wave, a force” that washes over him. “I think that every singer, musician, or spectator perceives the exchange of energy during a concert. It awakens them and creates a world that is barely comprehensible to others.”
His passion for music ignited early in life. “There were more of them,” he recalled, thinking back to the defining moments that steered him towards music. One vivid memory involves visiting his mother’s workshop at a stop station. He was captivated by the nearby switchtower, a symbol of power and authority.
“Of course, I didn’t enjoy looking at my pinned mom. I wanted to go and see that tower, and I couldn’t think of anything else than to stand under it and shout the song of the Budgerigar Budgerigar so loud and long that a guy in uniform looked out from it and said to me: Come on! I stomped up the stairs and realized that I had sung the reward.” This early experience ignited a desire to perform and connect with others through song.
A Christmas gift, a Cremona Luba guitar, further fueled his passion. Learning a few chords and gradually mastering songs by Petr Novák brought joy and admiration. The way the girls would look at him, with “big shiny eyes,” and the way his heart would race with exhilaration, solidified his decision to pursue music as his calling.
Photo: JA Kronka archive
Rocker every inch. This is Jaroslav Albert Kronek.
“My aunt from Hané once told me that I would only get off the bus in my life,” Jaroslav Albert Kronek recalls. He laughs,a rumbling sound that doesn’t quite shake the seriousness of his words. “And so I accepted an offer to play something for everyone to dance to at a school gig with our construction worker in Vysočina. I grabbed the guitar, climbed on the table, and started playing.”
His music, a potent blend of rock and blues, was undeniably captivating. As he poured his heart into the performance, the crowd responded with an energetic fervor.
“After twenty minutes,” Kronek continues, his voice taking on a pensive tone, “I looked up and…they were all gone. The wild-eyed dancers packed up the girls and disappeared into the surrounding woods. I, the performer, was left alone and…”
He trails off, leaving the listener to imagine the silence that must have descended upon him, the stark contrast between the tumultuous energy of the dance floor just moments before and the sudden, unnerving emptiness.
The Enduring Passion of a Czech Music Legend
His songs have become anthems, echoing the joys and sorrows of generations of Czechs. But the story of this legendary musician is as captivating as the melodies he creates. From humble beginnings to graced stages, his journey is one of unwavering passion, artistic exploration, and a deep connection with his audience.
His musical odyssey began with an invitation to join the band Kern in 1980, a decision that ignited a musical firestorm. “it worked for us from the start,” he recalls, “a vrey strong and intoxicating coffee, you could say.” Kern, infused with covers and original heavy music, started their ascent to fame. In the summer of 1982, on a dusty field in Dolní Kounice, their new song resonated with the crowd. “They shouted ‘close to us, you have a place…’ after we played it just five times,” he remembers. It was a pivotal moment, solidifying the band’s commitment to their own music, leading them to unparalleled success.
One of his most iconic creations, “Near Us,” sprang from an unexpected source – a sleep-deprived night. “Once in my eighty-second year, I came home from a dance party at two o’clock in the morning,” he explains. ”Tired, screaming, and with a pounding in my head.” The melody emerged in the shower, fueled by the echoes of Ronnie James Dio’s ”Holy Diver,” the band’s recent performance still reverberating. “Amidst the roaring and sloshing of the water,” he heard it: “Close to us, you have a place…” A gorgeous feeling that ultimately transformed into the timeless, soul-stirring anthem we know today.
“I entered the kingdom of bands with the knowledge that I am nothing on my own,” he confesses, “but with my teammates, with the band, I can at least do a bigger and more engaging circus.” His passion for music has always been fueled by collaboration, finding solace in the shared energy and creative spark of his bandmates.
His journey wasn’t confined to the stage. A movie about Czechoslovak pilots during World War II ignited a new artistic fire in him. “I saw a film about our war pilots fighting in the RAF,” he remembers, “These forgotten men awakened a new passion in me.” From this inspiration, the song “Forgotten Men” was born, a powerful tribute to these unsung heroes, performed annually in May, during commemorations for the end of the war.
His journey is a testament to the power of passion, collaboration, and the enduring impact of music. A story that continues to inspire and resonate with audiences across generations.
From Acoustic Side Project to Enduring success: A Conversation with Pavel Balko
Pavel Balko, the charismatic frontman of the widely acclaimed Czech band Alband, has witnessed a remarkable journey in music. What began as a quiet acoustic offshoot of another band, Kern, has blossomed into a force to be reckoned with in the Czech music scene.
Back in 2008, a shift in creative direction within Kern led Balko to part ways with the band. “We didn’t fight or swear at each other,” he reflects. “I just knew I wanted to keep making music, and as I was really drawn to acoustic music at the time, I made the acoustic side project of Kern a full-fledged band - Alband.”
Their debut album, “Calibration of the Senses,” released less than a year later, quickly solidified their position. Nearly 15 years on,Alband continues to captivate audiences,proving the enduring power of their unique sound.
Balko’s journey hasn’t been without its challenges. He faced a serious health scare with a cancerous tumor near his vocal cords. “The doctors told me it was the easiest kind of cancer a man could get,” he recalls. “They assured me the tumor was encapsulated and I wouldn’t lose my voice.”
The surgery and subsequent radiation therapy were taxing, leaving him with temporary speech and swallowing difficulties. “My tongue became so soft, I couldn’t even eat,” he says. “But I’m grateful to have overcome it.”
A decade later, a benign polyp was surgically removed from his vocal cord. His doctor, who had treated him for the cancer, was confident the surgery would have a positive impact on his voice. And he was right. “It sings really well to me now,” Balko shares. “I’ve never sung better.”
Zdeněk Barták: A Life of Music and Triumph
Zdeněk Barták is a name synonymous with musical excellence. His journey is a testament to the power of talent,hard work,and a touch of serendipity. Barták’s musical journey took a magical turn when he participated in an international songwriting competition. With over 700 entries from across the globe, the competition was fierce.Yet, Barták emerged victorious, capturing the hearts of judges with his compelling track, “E mi manchi tu”. This song went on to become a cornerstone of the album, achieving remarkable success and earning prestigious Platinum and Gold certifications in numerous countries worldwide.
Barták described his winning experience as “four fairy tales in my life”. His talent and dedication resonated with audiences, propelling him to the forefront of the music industry.
What can you tell me about Jaroslav Albert Kronek’s acoustic side project?
It seems you’ve shared some HTML content that includes an article about Jaroslav albert Kronek, a czech musician. Here’s a simplified summary and some key points from the text:
Summary:
The article discusses the life and career of Czech musician Jaroslav Albert Kronek, highlighting his humble beginnings, his impact on Czech music, and his enduring passion for his art. It also mentions a conversation with Pavel Balko about Kronek’s acoustic side project.
Key Points:
Early Start and Famous Performance: Kronek’s musical journey began when he played for a school gig, captivating the audience with his blend of rock and blues. despite the crowd disappearing unexpectedly, the event sparked his passion for performing.
Joining Band Kern: In 1980, Kronek joined the band Kern, which gained fame with their original heavy music and covers. Their new song “Near Us” resonated with audiences, leading to their success.
Creation of “Near Us”: Kronek wrote “Near Us” after a sleepless night inspired by Ronnie James Dio’s “Holy Diver.” The melody emerged while he was in the shower, and he developed it into an iconic Czech anthem.
Passion for Collaboration: kronek emphasizes the importance of his teammates in his musical journey, stating that he feels he can achieve more with a band than alone.
Inspiration from a Movie: A film about Czechoslovak pilots during World War II inspired Kronek to write the song “Forgotten Men,” which he performs annually in May to commemorate the end of the war.
conversation with Pavel Balko: The article mentions a conversation with Pavel Balko about Kronek’s acoustic side project, suggesting that there’s more to discuss about Kronek’s musical career and experiences.
Enduring Impact: Kronek’s story is a testament to the power of passion, collaboration, and the enduring impact of music, inspiring and resonating with audiences across generations.
