Czech musician Ivan Král passes away at age 71

Washington, Feb 3 (CTK) – Czech musician Ivan Král died on Sunday aged 71 in his home in Michigan, Greg Jarvis from the band Flowers of Hell said on social media today and published a press release provided by Král’s wife, Cindy Hudson.

According to Hudson, Král died of cancer.

The respected bass guitarist was able to work with such stars as Patti Smith, Iggy Pop, David Bowie or the band Blondie.

Král emigrated to the USA in the 1960s and started returning to the Czech Republic in the 1990s, when he became a sought-after producer and live concert musician.

He released several solo albums and worked as a producer, for example on albums by the group Lucie and the singer Aneta Langerova.

Král, together with Patti Smith, is the author of the hit song Dancing Barefoot, which entered Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

He lived in the USA since 1966, when he followed his parents, who worked for the UN, to New York. There, he witnessed the beginnings of punk and garage music.

In the 1980s, he was able to compose music for several feature films, including Subway Riders and Bistro.

The press release issued by Hudson mentions that his last recorded Czech album entitled Smile should be available before February 28.

Král’s biography, entitled Block, Shock, Rock, is to be published later this year.