OVERNIGHT AMERICAN
Ivan Král was exiled in the USA after his father's denouncement of the Russian invasion of Czechoslovakia during the "Prague Spring" of 1968. His new life in America revolved around English lessons, American college and the New York rock scene.
NEW YORK UNDERGROUND
As a fixture in the 70's New York rock scene, Ivan played with many notables, including Debbie Harry/Blondie, Patti Smith, Iggy Pop, glam band Luger, David Peel and the Lower East Side, John Cale, Chris Spedding, Band of Outsiders and various underground artists.
Some of Ivan's work with the Andy Warhol scene are captured in the films "The Foreigner", "Subway Riders", "Night Lunch", "Unmade Beds", and "Blank Generation".
SONGWRITER
Ivan co-wrote with Patti Smith for her debut album, Horses*, and remained with her for 4 albums, and over 15 tours. In 1980, he collaborated with Iggy Pop for 2 albums, and 10 tours which included Glen Matlock of Sex Pistols, and Brian James of the Damned.
In 1982 Ivan shed his punk label, and wrote songs with Babys singer, John Waite, including the hit, "Every Step of the Way". Other works from this era included music for the Barry Levinson film, "Diner", recordings by U2, David Bowie, and a song "Ce soir et le Soir" for France's Telephone.
MEANWHILE, IN PRAGUE...
With the lure of many creative projects, Ivan returned to his native Prague to help launch the new post-communist music scene. He Writes, produces, performs and tours for the Czech Republic's top Acts who now have freedom to express themselves. Ivan continues his role as Film Composer, Producer and Artist. Although he released 5 solo albums on Universal, and 3 solo albums on BMG, he mainly focuses on his role as Songwriter for other artists. Ivan's Grammy awards for Best Producer, Best Writer, Best Album Art and Best Video are mainly in the pop or rock category. However, there exists a large pool of his work in other genres, including reggae, worldbeat, ambient, folk, cabaret, jingles and film scores.
TODAY
Ivan alternates between his homes in Europe and America, mostly composing at his home studio near Ann Arbor, Michigan.
* Horses ranked 44 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
10th Greatest Album of All Time by Mojo Magazine 1995.
VH1 named Horses the 28th Greatest Album of All Time in 2003.
** Dancing Barefoot ranked 323 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time in 2004.
TRIVIA
- Ivan worked for the Beatles at their New York Apple Records location in 1971-1972.
- Ivan was guitarist for teen idol Shaun Cassidy's touring band, Longfellow.
- Ivan headlined the first rock concert in Uzbekistan.
- Ivan was a child star whose band, Saze, had a 1 hit "Pierot" in 1966.
- His pianist mother, Polish-born Otylie, was also a gym teacher in Prague.
- Ivan's father, Dr. Karel Král, befriended Chairman Mao in Shanghai 1955.
- Nazis spared Uncle Miroslav's life in the Buchenwald concentration camp, so he could entertain them with his saxophone and cello.
- Ivan familiarized himself with English language via Daffy Duck cartoons.
- As a baby, Ivan's mother played classical music to stop him from crying.
- Frantisek Drtikol vintage film/photos appear in Ivan's videos and albums.
- Ivan and Cindy have 2 bunnies named Keith and Angus (tribute to their favorite guitarists)
