FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 3, 2020

Press Release: Obituary:  SONGWRITER TO THE STARS DIES

Contact:  Cindy Hudson / 734-730-8911 / hudson@theblankgeneration.com

 

Ivan Kral, songwriter whose co-written works with Patti Smith and Iggy Pop were recorded by U2 and David Bowie, among others, has died. He passed away in his Michigan home of cancer at age 71.

Kral was most known in the U.S. as guitarist and co-writer for Patti Smith, Blondie and Iggy Pop in the 1970s. However, he had a thriving solo career in his native Czech Republic. His newest Czech album “Smile” on Warner Music, is scheduled for release February 28, 2020.

He wrote hundreds of compositions recorded for himself, but many for other recording artists.  

His 1976 film The Blank Generation shows the birth of punk rock and is said to be the only genuine visual testament of the punk revolution. It features punk legends before they were famous and includes Ramones, Blondie, Patti Smith, Talking Heads, etc.

Kral’s 1993 return to his native Czech Republic launched successful careers as a solo recording artist, music producer and songwriter, earning three Czech Grammy awards. He composed the music for Czech song “Sen”, recorded by Lucie, which was chosen as the best Czech song in twenty years. He composed the memorial song for President Vaclav Havel.

In 2001, he settled in Michigan with his wife Cindy Hudson, who is also his English-language lyricist. Initially, they shuttled between Prague and home life near Ann Arbor, Michigan, working in their home studio, Bunnyhutch.

His recent biography, Neuveritelny by Honza Vedral was released in December 2019 to the Czech market. His English-language biography, Bloc, Shock, Rock will be published in 2020.

His film company, The Blank Generation LLC, will continue to be the resource of his New York 1970s underground footage/films for exhibition, events, screenings and clip licensing.