On the occasion of Zdenek Rytíř’s 80th birthday, a selection of his poems and song lyrics is published. The new book will be presented at the Tribute to Zdenek Rytíř concert, which will take place on November 12 at the Broadway Theater in Prague. Out of respect for the artist’s memory, the publisher wants to bring him closer without tabloidizing his personal life, through the earliest poems and texts from the most productive creative stage.
Zdeněk Rytíř would have celebrated his eightieth birthday this April. “He was present at everything important that took place in our popular post-war music. He experienced the beginnings of Czech rock’n’roll, folk and country music, he wrote for leading singers and also took part in the comeback of some of them as a manager,” says Lenka Příhonská from the Galén publishing house, which published a publication called Telegram with the address Svět vádá.
According to her, in addition to hundreds of beautiful texts and poems, Rytíř was also famous for the fact that, as one of the few leading artists of his time, he did not slip into the tabloids. “He didn’t want his life to be discussed publicly, and he didn’t try to write his own biography. There was a certain modesty in it: he put his personality almost exclusively into his author’s work,” adds Příhonská.
The Telegram book with the address Svět contains Rytíř’s poems such as Indeed, The Birth of Music or Někomu I Stole Memories and many song lyrics sung by stars of Czech popular music such as Pavel Bobek, Helena Vondráčková, Karel Gott, Hana Zagorová, Yvonne Přenosilová or the bands Olympic and ASPM.
“He wrote the Czech lyrics to some of Bob Dylan’s classic hits, for example Like a Rolling Stone, which Petr Kalandra became famous for, or The Times They Are a-Changin’, which was sung by the Golden Kids. Probably less well known is his long-term focused collaboration with singers Václav Neckář, Lenka Filipová, Michal Tučný and Petr Spálený, which in many ways outgrew the normal communication between lyricist and performer,” recalls Lenka Příhonská.
The lyricist, music composer and musician also created the lyrics to the hits Zvonky štěstí, Okno mé lássky, Poslední cowboyj or Hey Jude. He died after a serious illness on the night of October 2, 2013, he was 69 years old.
Telegram book cover with the address World. | Photo: Galén publishing house
Rytíř has 1025 song texts registered with the Author’s Protection Association. Internal statistics document that he was among the two dozen most successful music lyricists in the Czech Republic. He wrote his very last, We will not be different, in 2011 for the group Olympic.
Zdeněk Rytíř was born on April 11, 1944 in Tábor. In college, he began writing poetry and played bass and harmonica in several bands. He became a professional lyricist as a member of the group Mefisto. He worked in the groups Blue Five, Hells Devils and Karkulka, then also in the accompanying orchestra Golden Kids. In 1977, he stood by the restored Apollo Petr Spálený. As a player, he was a guest in Michal Tučný’s group, the Penguins.
“He left a big part of a generation. He was a lyricist who not only deeply affected the world of Czech popular music, but also enriched the entire Czech language with a number of slogans and phrases,” wrote critic Josef Vlček in Hospodářské noviny. According to him, in the 1960s Rytíř became the court lyricist of the young Czech pop wave, especially Marta Kubišová, Helena Vondráčková and Václav Neckář, within a few months. “If there was a need to describe the atmosphere of that time full of hope and expectation to someone younger, three songs with Rytíř’s lyrics would be enough: the Dylan song Časy se mění, Neckář’s Good News and Marty Kubišová’s hopeful Hey Jude,” says Vlček.
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Lenka Příhonská
Editor: Welcome, Lenka Příhonská, and thank you for joining us today to discuss the remarkable legacy of Zdeněk Rytíř on the occasion of his 80th birthday. With a new selection of his poems and song lyrics being published, it seems like a wonderful tribute.
Lenka Příhonská: Thank you for having me. It’s a significant moment to celebrate an artist who has profoundly shaped Czech music and culture.
Editor: Absolutely! The concert on November 12 at the Broadway Theater in Prague sounds exciting. What can attendees expect from the event, especially with Rytíř’s legacy at the forefront?
Lenka Příhonská: The concert is a heartfelt tribute, featuring performances of Rytíř’s most beloved songs and readings from his published poems. It’s a chance for fans and newcomers alike to experience the depth of his work and the emotions behind his lyrics.
Editor: Rytíř was quite an enigmatic figure in the music scene—he never sought the tabloid spotlight. What do you believe contributed to that modesty in his work and personal life?
Lenka Příhonská: Rytíř had a profound respect for his craft. He believed that his art should speak for itself. By prioritizing his work over personal publicity, he left a legacy that is truly focused on the quality of his lyrics and the feelings they evoke, rather than his personal life.
Editor: That’s a captivating perspective. His collaboration with renowned artists like Pavel Bobek and Helena Vondráčková really illustrates his influence. Can you tell us more about his relationship with these musicians?
Lenka Příhonská: Certainly! Rytíř’s collaborations were quite unique; they went beyond the conventional lyricist-performer dynamic. He engaged deeply with the artists, allowing for a creative synergy that produced timeless music. His lyrics resonated with their singing styles, making the songs unforgettable.
Editor: It’s fascinating to hear about the nuances of those collaborations. I’ve learned he also adapted significant international hits into Czech. How crucial was that role in his overall career?
Lenka Příhonská: It was immensely important! His adaptations of songs like “Like a Rolling Stone” and “The Times They Are a-Changin’” not only showcased his lyrical prowess but also brought global music into the Czech consciousness. He made those classic tunes accessible and relatable for the local audience.
Editor: The new collection, Telegram with the address Svět vádá, includes poems and lyrics from various stages of his career. What can readers anticipate when diving into this book?
Lenka Příhonská: Readers can expect a beautiful array of emotions and themes. His works, such as Indeed and The Birth of Music, reflect both personal and universal experiences. The book aims to connect readers with his genius without sensationalizing his life, honoring him with the dignity he deserves.
Editor: Before we conclude, what do you believe is Rytíř’s most enduring legacy?
Lenka Příhonská: His capacity to communicate the essence of human experience through song and poetry is his greatest legacy. He will always be remembered for his genuine humility in his craft and his ability to connect with people through his words.
Editor: Thank you, Lenka, for shedding light on Zdeněk Rytíř’s extraordinary life and legacy. We look forward to the concert and the book release, which undoubtedly will give fans an enriching experience.
Lenka Příhonská: Thank you! It’s going to be a memorable celebration of an incredible artist.