BEATS OF FREEDOM - A HISTORY OF POLISH ROCK MUSIC

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Nov 8, 10, 01:20 #1

A lot has been written on this page about WWII or history of polish Jews and at the same time the period past 1945 still remains largely neglected and forgotten… and wrongly so! Maybe this documentary will spark an interesting debate about the history that a big number of us got to live through? Although it was meant as a testimony to polish rock music it is a great summary of what was actually happening socially, politically and culture wise on “our” side of the iron curtain. Unfortunately, not everyone speaks English in this documentary, nevertheless it should be an interesting watch for youz guyz. And it has some great tunes too, like this one, my all time favorite Manaam song:

Anyway, enjoy!

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Nov 17, 10, 06:19 #2

This is a very interesting thread! As an American with some Polish ancestry, I have made a big effort to learn as much as I can about Poland's past. And you are right, topics here tend to be dominated by pre-WWII and perhaps right now, but I have wondered about life in Poland during the same time period in which I grew up in America. (the 50's and 60's.)

I remember in 1966 meeting a young Polish girl, Ewa, who moved to NYC from Gdańsk. I was 16 at the time, and she a bit younger. I was crazy about the Beatles. She seemed to have very little knowledge or love of rock and roll, and enjoyed classical music. At first, that was puzzling for an American teenager. I had to learn more about why that would be the case.

But then, I went to Poland for the first time in 2000 and the friend I was visiting was 29 years my junior, and just wild about the Beatles. Despite the huge age gap, we had lots in common and had been emailing for about 8 months, and having a wonderful time. I stayed with his family in Gdańsk, and his folks were about my age. One night his Dad took out the guitar and he and his wife played and sang songs. And I really enjoyed it and felt like they had experienced something similar to my teen years, maybe just a bit later. I think my friend Ewa who moved to NYC had just missed what was about to happen in Poland. So, liked watching these two videos very much. Thanks!

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Nov 17, 10, 06:46 #3

Softsong,

You have some interesting stories.

Are you interested in Polish American Singers?

I like Pat Benatar a lot. She did not sing Polish rock per se, but she is of Polish ancestry and was a very popular Rocker in the 80's and 90's. I have most of songs still.

Pat Benatar
http://www.benatarfanclub.com/biopat.shtml

Love is a Battlefield
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPmMQfRmJH8
Shadows of the night
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66aqcOsnP2E&feature=related
Invincible
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8lJYN3FfC0
You better run
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvSbQB6-UdY&feature=channel
Hell is for children
http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=US&feature=related&hl=uk&v=s5ATj0DG-W4
Heartbraker
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vy-QmgdUVTI&feature=related

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Edited by: Softsong Nov 17, 10, 08:43 #4

ThanksMedia Watch. Yes, I am interested in Polish American singers. *hides from Delph* ;-)

Always liked Pat Benatar. Appreciate the links. I am not a big jazz fan, but I like Basia (but I believe she lives in England). Never was too keen on Bobby Vinton. Although, I did learn to say "I love you" in Polish.

I just got done watching all eight parts of the "Beat of Freedom" and found it fascinating how music, and rock in particular has changed cultures and society. I can only imagine how hard it was to defy Communism in Poland. Very proud about how once again, Poland found a way to be a country, and to be free. We always heard about Solidarity here in the States, but it is wonderful to see the music and its influence.

I notice that many people in Europe who were raised under Communism tend to be very anti-liberal. They associate hippies with the left, and seem to equate Socialism in any form to Communism. The hippie movement at least in America was rather liberal. I guess it goes without saying that the hippie movement (and rock and roll) was really against the established order where ever you lived, and for Poles, the established order was Communism. (She said realizing there must be some controversy on PF to get attention to a thread).

Nowadays there are very conservative rockers, too. Any thoughts?

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