George & Beatovens

Czech rock group from Prague. Founded in 1965 by vocalist Petr Novák with lyricist Ivo Plicka, named after their drummer Jiří Jirásek (Jiří = George). Pioneers of authentic rock songwriting in Czech language with their 1965 radio hits “Já budu chodit po špičkách” and “Povídej” (re-recorded in 1967 by Petr Novák with Flamengo and released on Supraphon). Temporarily disbanded in late 1965, reunited in 1967. Evolved to more progressive rock à la Jethro Tull by 1970, disbanded again in 1972. In 1980 Petr Novák began to use the shortened name “G&B” for his backing band, the original English name was banned by the communist authorities until 1989. After Novák’s death in 1997, the group was eventually revived by Karel Kahovec and is still actively performing as of 2009. Members: Petr Novák (1965–1997, vocals) Karel Sluka (1965, bass, vocals), Michal Burian (1965, guitar), Jaroslav Bednář (1967–1968, guitar, vocals), Zdeněk Juračka (1968, guitar), Vladimír Mišík (1968, guitar, vocals), Miroslav Dudáček (1968–1971, guitar, vocals), Bohuslav “Slávek” Janda (1973–1979, guitar), Jiří Jirásek (1965–1971, drums), Ivan Pelíšek (197?–1979, drums), Pavel Zuman (1980, drums), Jiří Čížek (1967–1971, bass, vocals), Michal Ditrich (197?, bass), Oldřich Wajsar (1979–1982, bass), Miroslav Helcl (1967–1968, keyboards), Jan F. Obermayer (1968–1971, keyboards, saxophon, vocals), Petr Bezpalec (1970–1971, saxophone, flute, vocals), Jiří Sluka (1975–1976, drums), Petr Formánek (1975–1977, keyboards), Stanislav Staněk (1979–200?, guitar), Ladislav Klein (1977–1990, keyboards), Hubert Täuber (1983–1989, drums), Adolf Seidl (1981–1989, guitar), Karel Novák (1982–200?, bass), Zdeněk Nedvěd (live rhythm guitar), Martin Rychta (1988–1997, drums), Michal Pavlík (1991–200?, keyboards), Karel Kahovec (1966–1967, 1993–200?, guitar, vocals), Petr Eichler (1995–200?, drums)