Active since the mid-'60s, Tadeusz Nalepa was one of the most influential artists of Polish popular music, fusing traditional blues influences with current trends in rock music. An exceptional guitarist, composer of popular hits and band leader who almost single-handedly inspired many Polish bands whose music was rooted in blues. One of the few key '60s-era artists who continued touring and recording for more than 40 years.
Nalepa graduated from the music school in nearby Rzeszów playing violin, double-bass and clarinet. Having decided to pursue a career in music, he debuted in 1963 at the second edition of the Young Talent's Festival in Szczecin, where he scored one of the awards for his duet with Mira Kubasińska - performing Chubby Checker's Let's Twist Again.
In 1965 with vocalists: Mira Kubasińska (at that time his wife) and Stanisław Guzek (who later became known as Stan Borys) he founded Blackout, initially performing covers of popular British artists. The first original songs took shape after he teamed up with the poet Bogdan Loebl. This drew attention to the band, which soon went on to record their first professional studio sessions. After series of live shows and releasing the only album, Blackout disbanded in late 1967.
In February 1968 Nalepa started Breakout, which later was considered as one of the most important bands inspiring new generation of Polish rock musicians. Touring extensively, also in Western Europe, it became massively popular after his early 1969 hit, Gdybyś kochał, hej!. In March 1969 Breakout released its breakthrough album Na drugim brzegu tęczy, recorded with renowned jazz saxophone player Włodzimierz Nahorny. After many line-up changes, Breakout disbanded in 1982 after releasing ten albums.
Working as a soloist, Nalepa assembled a new backup band, whose members were later to join some of the most popular pop groups of the 80s - Maanam, Oddział Zamknięty, Lady Pank or TSA. In 1986, in a poll conducted by Jazz Forum magazine, Nalepa was voted best Polish musician, composer and guitar player. Further albums, recorded with different musicians, expanded the blues-rock idiom towards jazz, funk or ethnic music. Also during the '80s, he recorded the album Numero Uno with Dżem, the most important blues band of the young generation. His last official release was the 60 urodziny / 60th Birthday DVD, documenting concerts from Autumn 2003. After suffering extensively from illness, Tadeusz Nalepa died after a kidney failure on March 4, 2007 in Warsaw.
Discography:
- with Blackout:
- Blackout 1967
- with Breakout:
- Na drugim brzegu tęczy 1969
- 70a 1970
- Blues 1971
- Mira 1972
- Karate 1972
- Ogień 1973
- Kamienie 1974
- NOL 1976
- ZOL 1979
- Żagiel Ziemi 1979
- solo:
- Tadeusz Nalepa Promotion After Blues 1985 (with After Blues)
- Live 1986 1986 (live)
- Sen szaleńca 1987
- Numero Uno 1987 (with Dżem)
- To mój blues 1989
- Absolutnie 1991
- Jesteś w piekle 1993
- Najstarszy zawód świata 1995
- Flamenco i blues 1996
- Zerwany film 1999
- Dbaj o miłość 2001 (compilation)
- Sumienie 2002
- 60 urodziny 2006 (CD+DVD)
- 1982-2002 2006 (box 13xCD)
- Rawa Blues 1987 2007 (live)
Author: Maciej Sienkiewicz, July 2010.