Prague rocker Michael Kocáb turns 70
Rocker Michael Kocáb, who turned 70 on Sunday, is known as front man of Pražský výběr but also oversaw the departure of Soviet troops from Czechoslovakia.
Prague-born Michael Kocáb founded Pražský výběr (Prague Selection) in 1976. The band, who switched over from jazz rock to new wave, were banned by the Communists between 1983 and 1986 before being allowed to return in the second half of the 1980s, with Kocáb becoming a major name in Czech culture.
Alongside his band activities, the famous rocker has also created music for scores of films.
In early 1989 Kocáb and Michal Horáček founded Bridge, an initiative aimed at building a communication channel between the Communist regime and the opposition. When the Velvet Revolution came later that year the pair were active in organising talks with the soon-to-depart leadership.
From 1990 to 1992, Kocáb, who was close to Václav Havel, was a member of the Federal Assembly. His most notable achievement in politics was overseeing the departure of Soviet soldiers from Czechoslovakia, decades after their occupation began.
From 2009 to 2010 he held the position of minister for human rights and national minorities in the Czech government.
