Biografie

As a fixture in the '70s New York rock scene, Ivan played with many notables, including Debbie Harry/Blondie, Patti Smith, Iggy Pop, glam band Luger, David Peel and the Lower East Side, John Cale, Chris Spedding, Band of Outsiders and various underground artists.

Some of Ivan's work with the Andy Warhol scene are captured in the films "The Foreigner", "Subway Riders", "Night Lunch", "Unmade Beds", and "Blank Generation".

Ivan co-wrote with Patti Smith for her debut album, Horses*, and remained with her for 4 albums, and over 15 tours. In 1980, he collaborated with Iggy Pop for 2 albums, and 10 tours which included Glen Matlock of Sex Pistols, and Brian James of the Damned.

In 1982 Ivan shed his punk label, and wrote songs with Babys singer, John Waite, including the hit, "Every Step of the Way". Other works from this era included music for the Barry Levinson film, "Diner", recordings by U2, David Bowie, and a song "Ce soir et le Soir" for France's Telephone.

As of 2009, Ivan alternates between his homes in Europe and America, mostly composing at his home studio near Ann Arbor, Michigan.

With the lure of many creative projects, Ivan returned to his native Prague to help launch the new post-communist music scene. He writes, produces, performs and tours for the Czech Republic's top Acts who now have freedom to express themselves. Ivan continues his role as Film Composer, Producer and Artist. Although he released 5 solo albums on Universal, and 3 solo albums on BMG, he mainly focuses on his role as Songwriter for other artists. Ivan's Grammy awards for Best Producer, Best Writer, Best Album Art and Best Video are mainly in the pop or rock category. However, there exists a large pool of his work in other genres, including reggae, worldbeat, ambient, folk, cabaret, jingles and film scores.

Ivan Kral was exiled in the USA after his father's denouncement of the Russian invasion of Czechoslovakia during the "Prague Spring" of 1968. His new life in America revolved around English lessons, American college and the New York rock scene.