Kertukai

Big-Beat band Kertukai was formed in Kaunas, Lithuania, in 1966. Officially they were called Vokal & Instrumental Ensamble of Kaunas Polytechnic Institute (Kauno Politechnikos Institutas or KPI).


Rhythm guitarist and vocalist Vydmantas Juronis formed Kertukai in the first place, wrote music and texts to all original songs. The music leader was Gediminas Jurgilas. He played on keyboards. Other members are: Saulius Lukošius - vocal & lead guitar, Feliksas Tulčinas – bass guitar, Alius Tatarskis – drums. Also, Simas Taršys and Gražina Akstinaitė on vocal.

Never being officially released on vinyl, Kertukai gained a great popularity in Lithuanina. Their tapes (usually recorded live on concerts) were famous among the youths. They played on dances and travelled all over Lithuania, were regular on radio.

The repertoire contains instrumental numbers (like "The Rise & Fall Of Flingel Bunt"), cover songs ("Long Tall Texan"), original songs ("Lopšinė" ("Lullaby")), folk tunes.

In the late 60's they appeared in Lithuanian motion picture "Ave vita".


Here you can hear the tracks that were digitilized from old tapes – both instrumentals and vocal numbers. Kertukai usually sang in Lithuanian. For example, an old rockabilly hit "Long Tall Texan" became "Ilgas plonas techasietis".


If you have more records (or better quality) - contact me, please!

Big thanks to Vydmantas Juronis for the information!!!

:-)