Plastic People of the Universe

Plastic People of the Universe is arguably the most politically important rock band ever, and certainly the most important band to come out of Central Europe, Czech group Plastic People of the Universe was instrumental in the fight for artistic rights in Communist Czechoslovakia.

Related Topics:
Central Europe - Czech - Communist - Czechoslovakia

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In 1968, under rule of Communist Party leader Alexander Dubcek, Czechoslovakia was undergoing the famed Prague Spring, a thawing of totalitarian control of culture. In August, Soviet and other Warsaw Pact troops invaded Czechoslovakia to overthrow Dubcek and reinstate hard-line communist rule. Less than a month after the invasion, Plastic People of the Universe was formed.

Related Topics:
Alexander Dubcek - Prague Spring - Soviet - Warsaw Pact

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Bassist Milan Hlavasa formed the band which was heavily influenced by Frank Zappa and the Velvet Underground. Czech art historian and cultural critic Ivan Jirous became their manager/artistic director, fulfilling a similar role a the one Andy Warhol had with the Velvet Underground.

Related Topics:
Frank Zappa - Velvet Underground - Andy Warhol

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The hardline Czech government revoked the band's musicians license in 1970, forcing the band underground. Unable to perform openly, an entire underground movement formed around the band during the 1970s. In 1974, thousands of students traveled from Prague to the town of Ceske Budovice to hear "the Plastics" perform. Stopped by police, they were forced back to Prague in cattle cars and several students were arrested.

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In 1976 "the Plastics" were arrested and put on trial by the Communist government. They were convicted of "Organized Disturbance of the Peace" and sentenced to terms in prison ranging from 8 to 18 months.

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It was in protest of these arrests that let playwright Vaclav Havel and others to write the famous Charter 77 in 1977. This document would spell out the issues that would dominate the next decade and eventually lead to revolution 12 years later. Havel was imprisoned for his role with Charter 77.

Related Topics:
Vaclav Havel - Charter 77

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