The year is 1976. The place is communist Czechoslovakia. The scenario, quite simply, is this: Some rock bands decided to put on a concert. And the government didn't like it. So four musicians were placed on trial, found guilty of "organized (and/or organised) disturbance of the peace" and sentenced to jail sentences ranging from 8 to 18 months.
For many bands who wanted to perform songs about topics other than how wonderful the Communist regime was, playing concerts was a chore. They could play at friends' weddings or other clandestine operations. And when they did play under the watchful eye of the police, they risked a quick end to the show and an arrest for their so-called rabble-rousing. If my Internet sources are to be believed, the outspoken founder of one band was arrested 300 times and named an Enemy of the State.
Times, obviously, have changed, and this weekend in Prague the bands are getting together for a show. There's been plenty of advanced notice and there is no risk of arrest for dissent. An article about the reunion, and the backdrop of these bands' shows during the Communist era, is here.
The Plastic People of the Universe will be among the bands playing. They were at the forefront of the independent music scene back then and were a constant thorn in the side of the government; They've more or less stayed together since the fall of Communism. Here's the band performing last month:
And for further proof that times have changed (not that much proof is needed), Milan Knížák, the aforementioned artist with 300 arrests, received an Award of Merit last year. It's nice to know he remains outspoken: “I am a controversial figure, and as a controversial figure I received this award. And I received it from the controversial President Klaus. Are you satisfied with that?”
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