Livi
Encyclopedia
Līvi is a Latvia
n hard rock
band, that was influential in forming the Latvian rock music culture. Their signatures are poetic lyrics and guitar solos.
The band debuted in 1976, when it was founded in Liepāja
by Ēriks Ķiģelis and Juris Pavītols. They started out as a pop-rock band and played in various gigs around Latvia, whilst trying to find their own specific style. Thus the period of 1977-1985 was largely a chaotic time in the group’s music – it varied from pretty pop to heavy rock. But one thing never changed – their anti-soviet propaganda, their patriotism and their monumentalism.
After the death of Līvi leader Ēriks Ķiģelis in 1986, Ainars Virga joined the band, thus starting a new era – the era of anthemic ballads, hard hitting heavy rock tunes and rebellious philosophy. Virga composed some of the best-known Latvian hard rock songs. Līvi have recorded a total of 9 albums.
The band’s songs include "Dzimtā valoda", "Dzelsgriezējs", "Meitene zeltene", "Saldus saule", "Piedod man", "Zīlīte", "Tikai tev un man" and "Pāri visam".
. Although their characters varied a lot, they had one common thing on their minds, that is, to form the basis of a new genre, which they referred to as "Latvian rock".
Ķiģelis (vocals, guitar), Pavītols (vocals, guitar), his wife Ingrīda (vocals), drummer Andris Krūmiņš and "the dinosaur of rock" Jānis Grodums (bass) formed a band, taking the name of Pavītols’s first band. "Līvi" were actually a Latvian tribe living in the vicinity of Liepāja
and making their living by pirating and fighting with foreign oppressors. The first years of the band's existence were spent in small-time gigs. Līvi mostly played sad songs written by Pavītols and sung by his wife, but sometimes the band surprised its listeners with some faster, more harder songs, composed by Ķiģelis.
Līvi have had a troubled history, beginning in 1978 when Ēriks Ķiģelis left the band, stating that his and Pavītols’s artistic differences were impossible to overcome. He then formed his own band, Corpus and tried to distance himself from his former musical partners. Meanwhile Līvi hired guitarist Modris Šterns.
In 1980, Ēriks Ķiģelis came back together with three new members – the 17-year old singer Rodrigo Fomins, drummer Vilnis Krieviņš (Krūmiņš had left the band a bit earlier) and band’s life-long sound engineer Juris Jakovļevs. Šterns, on the other hand, felt oppressed and had left the band some months earlier. That didn’t slow the band down, though, and Ķiģelis immediately started writing new songs, so Līvi suddenly became popular, appearing in many music festivals and slowly starting to record their first album – the self-titled Līvi, which was released in 1983.
Latvia at that time was a part of the Soviet Union
, and Latvian rock bands were oppressed by the Communist party. The Red Regime saw a potential enemy in the rebellious Latvian hard rockers and in 1981 used its power to ban Līvi from playing any concerts. At that time many fans considered this to be the end of Līvi, but to everyone’s surprise Ķiģelis and Co. emerged in 1982 with a new hit single "Zīlīte".
Šterns came back to the band, but founder Juris Pavītols still couldn’t settle his differences with Ķiģelis and left the band forever. So did his wife, who just didn’t fit in the band’s new hard-hitting style, though songs recorded with her were used in Līvi second album Aprīļa pilieni (April’s Raindrops). For a short period the band was joined by keyboard player Tālis Pusbarnieks. Together they successfully record another album – Iedomu pilsēta (Phantasm City) and became the most popular band of that time.
Pusbarnieks, Fomins, Šterns and Kreiviņš left the band in 1984, because of wanting to start their own musical projects. Ķiģelis was forced to save the band by hiring vocalist Aivars Brīze (later to become known as “the voice of Latvian rock”), keyboardist Guntars Mucenieks and drummer Valdis Štarks. With new members and Līvi all-timer Grodums by his side, Ķiģelis was confident of his chances to remain on top. He started work on new songs and prepared for another tour the following year.
1985 turned out to be a difficult period for Līvi, the first of many. After a concert, Ķiģelis was involved in a car accident and died.
, Scorpions
, Deep Purple
and Led Zeppelin
, so, when joining the band in 1986, he had already visualized a new path for the band – a harder, guitar-solo oriented and rebellious. His first song was "Dzimtā valoda", an emotional ballad, and an appraisal of Latvian language and culture.
In 1987 Štarks was replaced by Ainars’s younger brother Dainis and in 1989 Tomass Kleins joined the band as a regular guitar player. Thus, when the Soviet Union broke up, Līvi had recorded a dozen of hits and formed their longest-standing lineup, consisting of Aivars Brīze (vocals), Ainars Virga (guitars), Tomass Kleins (guitars), Jānis Grodums (bass) and Dainis Virga (drums).
In 1994 Līvi released the studio album Karogi (Flags), their first recording since the death of Ēriks Ķiģelis in 1985. The album sold double platinum. The release of Karogi was immediately followed by a tour across Northern Europe and Latvia.
In December 1994 Līvi recorded an album in just one night. Spoku Koks (The Ghost Tree) was recorded, cut, mixed and delivered to stores in just one night.
Two years later Līvi released K.M.K.V.P or Kas Mums Var Ko Padarīt (Who Can Do Anything Against Us?). Singles included "Meitene", "Bize" and a jazz version of Līvi's old hit "Dzelsgriezējs". In 1997 Līvi recorded their best-selling album Bailes par ziņģēm (Fear about Songs); an album dedicated to the memory of Ēriks Ķiģelis. The album was successful and remained in fans memories for “Piedod man” – a hard-rockers confession written by bassist Jānis Grodums.
Shortly after the release of Bailes par ziņģēm long-time vocalist and “the voice of Latvian rock” – Aivars Brīze left the group. Two years later Līvi recorded their 7th album Viva. For two years band played without their leader and struggled in the artistic department, by not writing a single song.
In 2000 Virga came back and Līvi recorded an homage to the old millennium – an album entitled 2001. Virga added some punk-rock tunes to their compositions. In 2003, while driving back from a gig, the car driven by Ainars was involved in a car accident. Ainars and Jānis survived, but drummer Dainis and sound-engineer Juris Jakovļevs died from their wounds.
Ainars Virga was accused of being responsible for the accident. Līvi recorded a new album, called Pāri visam (Over everything); a recording dedicated to all rock musicians, who have died in accidents. Krieviņš and Mucenieks returned to the band.
When Ainars Virga was found not guilty of his charges, Līvi were approached by an interesting offer to do a concert accompanied by a symphonic orchestra. Originally an idea by band’s deceased drummer Dainis, the arrangements of songs was done by Ainars and conductor Jēkabs Ozoliņš. The result – a grandiose concert for fans, that was later released on a DVD.
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
n hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
band, that was influential in forming the Latvian rock music culture. Their signatures are poetic lyrics and guitar solos.
The band debuted in 1976, when it was founded in Liepāja
Liepaja
Liepāja ; ), is a republican city in western Latvia, located on the Baltic Sea directly at 21°E. It is the largest city in the Kurzeme Region of Latvia, the third largest city in Latvia after Riga and Daugavpils and an important ice-free port...
by Ēriks Ķiģelis and Juris Pavītols. They started out as a pop-rock band and played in various gigs around Latvia, whilst trying to find their own specific style. Thus the period of 1977-1985 was largely a chaotic time in the group’s music – it varied from pretty pop to heavy rock. But one thing never changed – their anti-soviet propaganda, their patriotism and their monumentalism.
After the death of Līvi leader Ēriks Ķiģelis in 1986, Ainars Virga joined the band, thus starting a new era – the era of anthemic ballads, hard hitting heavy rock tunes and rebellious philosophy. Virga composed some of the best-known Latvian hard rock songs. Līvi have recorded a total of 9 albums.
The band’s songs include "Dzimtā valoda", "Dzelsgriezējs", "Meitene zeltene", "Saldus saule", "Piedod man", "Zīlīte", "Tikai tev un man" and "Pāri visam".
The Early Days (Ķiģelis era)
The birth of Līvi is usually associated with year 1976, although a band with this name existed for a short time before that. The only common thing is that both bands were founded by Juris Pavītols – a well known guitarist in the 1970s. Līvi were founded in the summer of 1976, when two people first met – Pavītols and Ēriks Ķiģelis, a young guitarist from the city of SaldusSaldus
Saldus is a Latvian town located in Courland and is main town in Saldus District. As of 2005, the town has a population of 12,707.The year 1856 is considered as foundation of Saldus town when the board of Domens' decided to establish a trade center...
. Although their characters varied a lot, they had one common thing on their minds, that is, to form the basis of a new genre, which they referred to as "Latvian rock".
Ķiģelis (vocals, guitar), Pavītols (vocals, guitar), his wife Ingrīda (vocals), drummer Andris Krūmiņš and "the dinosaur of rock" Jānis Grodums (bass) formed a band, taking the name of Pavītols’s first band. "Līvi" were actually a Latvian tribe living in the vicinity of Liepāja
Liepaja
Liepāja ; ), is a republican city in western Latvia, located on the Baltic Sea directly at 21°E. It is the largest city in the Kurzeme Region of Latvia, the third largest city in Latvia after Riga and Daugavpils and an important ice-free port...
and making their living by pirating and fighting with foreign oppressors. The first years of the band's existence were spent in small-time gigs. Līvi mostly played sad songs written by Pavītols and sung by his wife, but sometimes the band surprised its listeners with some faster, more harder songs, composed by Ķiģelis.
Līvi have had a troubled history, beginning in 1978 when Ēriks Ķiģelis left the band, stating that his and Pavītols’s artistic differences were impossible to overcome. He then formed his own band, Corpus and tried to distance himself from his former musical partners. Meanwhile Līvi hired guitarist Modris Šterns.
In 1980, Ēriks Ķiģelis came back together with three new members – the 17-year old singer Rodrigo Fomins, drummer Vilnis Krieviņš (Krūmiņš had left the band a bit earlier) and band’s life-long sound engineer Juris Jakovļevs. Šterns, on the other hand, felt oppressed and had left the band some months earlier. That didn’t slow the band down, though, and Ķiģelis immediately started writing new songs, so Līvi suddenly became popular, appearing in many music festivals and slowly starting to record their first album – the self-titled Līvi, which was released in 1983.
Latvia at that time was a part of the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
, and Latvian rock bands were oppressed by the Communist party. The Red Regime saw a potential enemy in the rebellious Latvian hard rockers and in 1981 used its power to ban Līvi from playing any concerts. At that time many fans considered this to be the end of Līvi, but to everyone’s surprise Ķiģelis and Co. emerged in 1982 with a new hit single "Zīlīte".
Šterns came back to the band, but founder Juris Pavītols still couldn’t settle his differences with Ķiģelis and left the band forever. So did his wife, who just didn’t fit in the band’s new hard-hitting style, though songs recorded with her were used in Līvi second album Aprīļa pilieni (April’s Raindrops). For a short period the band was joined by keyboard player Tālis Pusbarnieks. Together they successfully record another album – Iedomu pilsēta (Phantasm City) and became the most popular band of that time.
Pusbarnieks, Fomins, Šterns and Kreiviņš left the band in 1984, because of wanting to start their own musical projects. Ķiģelis was forced to save the band by hiring vocalist Aivars Brīze (later to become known as “the voice of Latvian rock”), keyboardist Guntars Mucenieks and drummer Valdis Štarks. With new members and Līvi all-timer Grodums by his side, Ķiģelis was confident of his chances to remain on top. He started work on new songs and prepared for another tour the following year.
1985 turned out to be a difficult period for Līvi, the first of many. After a concert, Ķiģelis was involved in a car accident and died.
Resurrection (Virga takes on Līvi)
Ķiģelis protégé Ainars Virga took on the role of being the band’s new leader. Virga was a fan of bands like Black SabbathBlack Sabbath
Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
, Scorpions
Scorpions (band)
Scorpions are a heavy metal/hard rock band from Hannover, Germany, formed in 1965 by guitarist Rudolf Schenker, who is the band's only constant member. They are known for their 1980s rock anthem "Rock You Like a Hurricane" and many singles, such as "No One Like You", "Send Me an Angel", "Still...
, Deep Purple
Deep Purple
Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. Along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, they are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although some band members believe that their music cannot be categorised as belonging to any one genre...
and Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
, so, when joining the band in 1986, he had already visualized a new path for the band – a harder, guitar-solo oriented and rebellious. His first song was "Dzimtā valoda", an emotional ballad, and an appraisal of Latvian language and culture.
In 1987 Štarks was replaced by Ainars’s younger brother Dainis and in 1989 Tomass Kleins joined the band as a regular guitar player. Thus, when the Soviet Union broke up, Līvi had recorded a dozen of hits and formed their longest-standing lineup, consisting of Aivars Brīze (vocals), Ainars Virga (guitars), Tomass Kleins (guitars), Jānis Grodums (bass) and Dainis Virga (drums).
In 1994 Līvi released the studio album Karogi (Flags), their first recording since the death of Ēriks Ķiģelis in 1985. The album sold double platinum. The release of Karogi was immediately followed by a tour across Northern Europe and Latvia.
In December 1994 Līvi recorded an album in just one night. Spoku Koks (The Ghost Tree) was recorded, cut, mixed and delivered to stores in just one night.
Two years later Līvi released K.M.K.V.P or Kas Mums Var Ko Padarīt (Who Can Do Anything Against Us?). Singles included "Meitene", "Bize" and a jazz version of Līvi's old hit "Dzelsgriezējs". In 1997 Līvi recorded their best-selling album Bailes par ziņģēm (Fear about Songs); an album dedicated to the memory of Ēriks Ķiģelis. The album was successful and remained in fans memories for “Piedod man” – a hard-rockers confession written by bassist Jānis Grodums.
Shortly after the release of Bailes par ziņģēm long-time vocalist and “the voice of Latvian rock” – Aivars Brīze left the group. Two years later Līvi recorded their 7th album Viva. For two years band played without their leader and struggled in the artistic department, by not writing a single song.
In 2000 Virga came back and Līvi recorded an homage to the old millennium – an album entitled 2001. Virga added some punk-rock tunes to their compositions. In 2003, while driving back from a gig, the car driven by Ainars was involved in a car accident. Ainars and Jānis survived, but drummer Dainis and sound-engineer Juris Jakovļevs died from their wounds.
Ainars Virga was accused of being responsible for the accident. Līvi recorded a new album, called Pāri visam (Over everything); a recording dedicated to all rock musicians, who have died in accidents. Krieviņš and Mucenieks returned to the band.
When Ainars Virga was found not guilty of his charges, Līvi were approached by an interesting offer to do a concert accompanied by a symphonic orchestra. Originally an idea by band’s deceased drummer Dainis, the arrangements of songs was done by Ainars and conductor Jēkabs Ozoliņš. The result – a grandiose concert for fans, that was later released on a DVD.
Memorian Jānis Grodums
1958|06|10 - 2010|06|15. When Jānis Grodums dead Līvi issued album "Nezāles neiznīkst(weeds persist)" and Līvi band speakers Memorian event. In the album is Jānis Grodums best song. And Līvi bend leader Ainars Virga suspended Līvi bend operation.Members
- Ainars virga: guitar,vocal, vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
- Guntars Mucenieks: keyboards,vocalKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
- Vilnis Krieviņš: drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
Former members
- Ēriks Ķiģelis (deceased): guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments... - Dainis Virga (deceased): drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
- Aivars Brīze: vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
- Tomass Kleins: guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
- Māris Zīlmanis: drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
- Juris Pavītols: guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments... - Ingrīda Pavītola: vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
- Rodrigo Fomins: vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
- Valdis Štarks: drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
- Valdis Skujiņš: guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
- Andris Krūmiņš: drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
- Tālis Pusbarnieks: keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
- Mārtiņš Bērtulis: guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
- Edijs Šnipke: guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
- Jānis Grodums (deceased): bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
Discography
- Aprīļa pilieni, EP (1985)
- Iedomu pilsēta (1986)
- Līvi aka Kurzemei - saules ceļš (1988)
- Karogi (1994)
- Spoku koks (1994)
- K.M.K.V.P (1996)
- Bailes par ziņģēm (1997)
- Viva (1998)
- 2001 (2000)
- Līvi Zelts 1 (2002)
- Pāri visam (2004)
- Līvi 1995-2005 (2005)
- Nezāles neiznīkst (2010)
Videography
- Līvi & Liepājas simfoniskais orķestris: Koncerts bildēs 2004 DVD (2005)
- Līvi & Sinfoniskais orķestris: Nacionālajā operā 2006 DVD (2010)