In a tribute befitting his legacy, Metallica played his famous "Wehikuł czasu" ("Time machine") during their 2018 Kraków concert, with the audience passionately singing along. The Rolling Stone magazine hailed him posthumously as "the last hippie of our times."
A rock legend honored
During their WorldWired Tour, Metallica paid homage to local musical legends in each country they visited. In Kraków, the American band chose to perform "Wehikuł czasu," with the crowd singing along.
Riedel's memory remains vibrant in Tychy, where he spent most of his life, and where he is commemorated with a statue and mural. He moved to Tychy as a teenager and soon after joined Dżem ("Jam"), captivating the band with his voice at just 17 years old.
The rise of Dżem
Dżem's debut album, "Cegła," ("Brick") released in 1985, featured some of their biggest hits, including "Czerwony jak cegła" ("Red as a brick") and "Whisky." Riedel's son, Sebastian, recalls fans knocking on their door for autographs after the album's release.
Riedel's songs often had an autobiographical touch. In a TVP documentary, his mother Krystyna recounted how young Rysiek asked her when she was happiest. Her response, "In life, only moments are beautiful, and the most beautiful was when you were born," inspired the Dżem hit "Naiwne pytania" ("Naïve questions"), with its iconic refrain: "In life, only moments are beautiful."
Riedel was known not only for his unique voice but also for his distinctive style. His cowboy hat, boots, and colorful scarves made him a standout figure in the drab neighborhoods of communist-era Poland. His performances were intensely expressive, leaving him drenched in sweat and exhaustion backstage.
Rysiek’s dark side
Riedel's life was marred by his heroin addiction, which began in the late '70s. His health deteriorated, leading to his hospitalization in Chorzów, where he died of heart failure on July 30, 1994.
Despite the loss of their frontman, Dżem continued to perform. Founding members Adam and Benedykt Otręba remain with the band, and in 2024, Riedel's son became the new vocalist.
Special tribute concert
On September 21, Sebastian Riedel, along with the AUKSO Chamber Orchestra of Tychy, will host a special concert at the Spodek arena in Katowice to mark the 30th anniversary of his father's death.
The concert, titled "Rysiek Riedel. Wehikuł Czasu," will feature guest performances by Dżem members, Anita Lipnicka, Maciej Maleńczuk, Adam Nowak, and Józef Skrzek.
(jh)
Source: PAP
