In the 1970’s due to political changes in Romania many bands disappeared, but Phoenix wasn’t one of them. Instead they changed their musical style into an unexpected one. That is how a new gender was born – the ethno-rock, inspired from authentic Romanian folklore. The first rock songs inspired from the Romanian folklore were: “Bun ii vinul ghirghiuliu” and “Padure, Padure”, both fiddler songs at their origins.

 

 

 

 

In 1972 Phoenix releases a disc named “Muguri de fluier” (Whistle buds), a title with a special metaphorical meaning. In the same year, the band members start writing the rock opera “Cantafabule” inspired by the mythological meaning of the animals in fables and legends. Phoenix recorded “Cantafabule” a year later. It was the most complex and evolved of their works. In 1972 takes place the huge concert from Sarmisegetuza Dacia. After this the band is forbidden by the political regime. As a reaction to the hard questioning to which he was submitted, Nicu Covaci gives up to Romanian citizenship and leaves to Netherlands.

 

In the night of 1st of June 1977 the truck with the band members hidden in the speakers and the audio system leaves illegal Romania. Covaci manages to smuggle his colleagues in Yugoslavia with Germany as final destination. Once arrived in Germany the Phoenix breaks up and each of its members starts a new project.

 

 

 

After 13 years of absence and after many attempts to revive Phoenix in Germany, Nicu Covaci returns to Romania and together with Mircea Baniciu helds a concert. After that, during 1990’s Phoenix albums are re-edited. The last one was “In umbra marelui urs”, a reference to the communist times in Romania and the former URSS influence.

On the 12th of December 2012 Phoenix celebrated fifty years of activity.

PHOENIX official page

PHOENIX Music:

PHOENIX – Nunta 

PHOENIX – In Umbra Marelui Urs

PHOENIX – Mugur de Fluier – full album

 

Article: Andreea Andrei

Photo: juranlu.ro, our-eu-voices.wikispaces.com

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