Big Boss (musician)

Big Boss
Jiří Valter wearing a black t-shirt with Satanic print, standing onstage, singing into a microphone
Big Boss in 2014
Background information
Birth nameJiří Valter[1]
Born (1952-02-06) 6 February 1952 (age 72)
Brno, Czechoslovakia
Genres
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)
Years active1987–present
Member of
  • Root
  • Equirhodont
  • Big Boss Band
Websitebigboss.mysteria.cz

Jiří Valter,[1] (born 6 February 1952) better known as Big Boss, is the vocalist for the Czech black metal band Root, the progressive metal band Equirhodont, and Big Boss Band, which mainly performs ballads.

Biography

Valter was born in Czechoslovakia in 1952[1][2] to pianist and professor Milan Valter.[3] He started out as a blues vocalist before moving on to hard rock and eventually metal. According to him, "[a]ll these styles are mixed, either in some of my songs or singing. Mostly in my singing".[4] In late 1987, he founded the black metal band Root together with guitarist Blackie.[5]

Big Boss launched his side project Equirhodont with Root bandmates Ashok and Igor in 2002. In addition to his activities with these two bands, he has also recorded four solo albums.

Beliefs

Valter founded the Czech branch of the Church of Satan[1][4] in 1991.[6] He claims[7] to have been appointed a High Priest in the Church of Satan by Anton LaVey.[citation needed] He still lives his life according to Satanism[1][4] but delegated the branch's leadership to younger members around 2004[1] and now believes that "everything that smells of organization is shit".[4]

Rumours have frequently circulated about him being gay. He has denied this and stated: "...if they say that I'm homosexual, it is their problem, not mine. Perhaps it is their wishful thinking. Perhaps when they masturbate, they fantasise about me and I'm an unattainable idol for them... really I don't know."[3]

Discography

with Root

Further information: Root (band) § Discography

with Equirhodont

  • Grandiose Magus (2003)
  • Black Crystal (2004)

Solo

  • Q7 (1994)
  • Belial's Wind (1998)
  • Doomy Ballads (2009)
  • Sbírka černých růží (2017)

Selected guest performances

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Christian Wachter: Root. Hoffen auf eine rosigere Zukunft. In: Legacy, no. 76, p. 158f.
  2. ^ Diana Glöckner: Root. Satans Söhne. In: Metal Hammer, January 2012, p. 94.
  3. ^ a b Maciek: Roots Of Evil Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine.
  4. ^ a b c d Chris D.: Big Boss (Root) Interviewed, 21 December 2011, accessed on 20 December 2012.
  5. ^ Root biography Archived 4 September 2018 at the Wayback Machine, accessed on 16 December 2012.
  6. ^ Martina Dvořáková: Malé děti nepožírám Archived 19 June 2007 at the Wayback Machine.
  7. ^ "in014". Bigboss.mysteria.cz. Retrieved 6 October 2020.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jiří Valter.