View source for Vitacit

{{short description|Czech heavy metal band}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2023}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| background      = group_or_band
| name            = Vitacit
| image           =
| image_size      =
| landscape       = <!-- yes, if wide image, otherwise leave blank -->
| caption         =
| origin          = [[Roztoky]], Prague, Czechoslovakia
| genre           = {{hlist|[[Heavy metal music|Heavy metal]]|[[hard rock]]}}
| years_active    = 1973–present
| label           =
| website         = {{url|vitacit.eu}}
| current_members = Luděk Adámek<br />Honza Bouška<br />Petr Eda Kocour<br />Dan Horyna<br />Fany Stehlík<br />Honza Nezval
| past_members    = Karel Adam<br />Jiří Voldřich<br />Jiří Kadlec<br />[[Ladislav Křížek]]<br />[[Miloš "Dodo" Doležal]]<br />Radek Kroc
}}
'''Vitacit''' is a Czech hard rock/heavy metal band founded in [[Roztoky|Roztoky U Prahy]], a town within the Prague district, in 1973.<ref>{{cite web|title=Vitacit |url=https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Vitacit/31109 |website=metal-archives.com |date= |access-date=7 February 2021}}</ref>
==History==
===Early years: 1973–1985===
The formation of Vitacit began in 1973, under the name Smetiště, in Roztoky U Prahy. The founding members were Karel Adam on drums, Jiří Voldřich on bass, and Jiří Kadlec on guitar and vocals. The name Smetiště, meaning "junkyard", was unpopular, and the band eventually picked Vitacit, a popular brand of [[Drink mix|drink crystals]], instead. During these early years, Vitacit saw limited success.
===Halcyon days: 1985–1991===
The band underwent a number of lineup changes since their formation, and in 1985, they were joined by vocalist [[Ladislav Křížek]] ([[Kreyson]], [[Citron (band)|Citron]]) and guitarist [[Miloš "Dodo" Doležal]]. The duo led the band during the height of its popularity, co-writing some of its biggest hits.<ref>{{cite news|title=Miloš Dodo Doležal: Jít s proudem mě nebaví |url=https://www.denik.cz/hudba/milos-dodo-dolezal-jit-s-proudem-me-nebavi20110426.html |newspaper=Deník.cz |date=26 April 2011 |access-date=7 February 2021 |language=cs |trans-title=Miloš Dodo Doležal: I don't enjoy going with the flow|last1=Kapinus |first1=Oleg }}</ref> Křížek left in 1987, having only released the bootlegged live album ''Poslední Barča'' with the group. After the singer's departure, Doležal became the new frontman, taking over on vocal duties in addition to handling guitars. He helped record the debut Vitacit album, ''Vzhůru přes oceán'', in 1990, before moving to the United States a year later, thus leaving the band without a vocalist and lead guitarist.
===Doldrums and breakups: 1992–1998===
In 1992, Vitacit recorded their second album, ''Máte se hnout''. Miloš Doležal returned in 1994 and the band recorded a new album, ''Navostro'', the following year. They also opened for [[Iron Maiden]] during their October 1995 Prague concert, part of the band's [[The X Factour|X Factour]] with Blaze Bayley.<ref>{{cite web|title=The X Factour |url=https://maidenfrance.fr/iron-maiden-tour-the-x-factour/ |website=maidenfrance.fr |date= |access-date=7 February 2021 |language=fr}}</ref> 1996 saw the release of another album, titled ''Zaživa mrtví'', which was recorded at Doležal's studio Hacienda in [[Žirovnice]]. The same year, Vitacit contributed a cover of [[Metallica]]'s "Fight Fire with Fire" to the tribute album ''10 Years After...A Tribute to Cliff Burton''.<ref>{{cite web|title=10 Years After...a Tribute to Cliff Burton by various artists |url=https://secondhandsongs.com/release/90365 |website=secondhandsongs.com |date= |access-date=19 April 2020}}</ref> In 1997, the group opened for [[Alice Cooper]] in the Czech Republic, and the following year, they disbanded.
===Old friends return: 2009–present===
In 2009, [[Ladislav Křížek]] brought Vitacit back together. He left again in 2015, however, returning to the band [[Citron (band)|Citron]], who had drawn him away from Vitacit once before, in 1987. In 2012, vocalist Dan Horyna, who had been active with the band from 1978 to 1985, rejoined the project. Fany Stehlík, another vocalist, who sang on the band's 1992 effort ''Máte se hnout'', also returned.
As of 2021, Vitacit is composed of Horyna and Stehlík, who share vocal duties; Honza Bouška and Petr Eda Kocour, both on guitar; Luděk Adámek on bass; and Honza Nezval on drums.
==Band members==
'''Current'''
* Luděk Adámek – bass
* Honza Bouška – guitar
* Petr Eda Kocour – guitar
* Dan Horyna – vocals
* Fany Stehlík – vocals
* Honza Nezval – drums
'''Past'''
{{Incomplete list|date=February 2021}}
* Karel Adam – drums
* Jiří Voldřich – bass
* Jiří Kadlec – guitar, vocals
* [[Ladislav Křížek]] – vocals
* [[Miloš "Dodo" Doležal]] – guitar, vocals
* Radek "Reddy" Kroc – guitar
==Discography==
'''Studio albums'''
* ''Vzhůru přes oceán'' (1990)
* ''Máte se hnout'' (1992)
* ''Navostro'' (1995)
* ''Zaživa mrtví'' (1996)
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
* {{official|vitacit.eu}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Czech heavy metal musical groups]]
[[Category:Czech rock music groups]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Prague]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1973]]
[[Category:1973 establishments in Czechoslovakia]]