Wojciech Gąssowski – musician who played at all parties

A musician who has been on stage for 62 years. His character became iconic, and the song “Gdzie się podziały tamte prywatki” has become a permanent staple in Polish homes. How did such an experienced artist start and what made him achieve such success?

Wojciech Gąssowski was born in 1943 in Warsaw. He lived in a musical family, although neither of his parents was recognized for their work. His first interest in music took place at the turn of the 1950s and 1960s. He liked Rock and Roll the most, which drew him into the musical world. He acquired knowledge and shaped his musical taste by listening to the radio, especially Radio Luxembourg, which played his favorite music genre. Although Gąssowski’s parents preferred different music, they were the ones who particularly contributed to the future star’s debut. They bought him a guitar, which he quickly fell in love with. He also attended a music school in his youth, where he acquired valuable skills. Thanks to the persuasion of his friends, he decided to take part in the We Are Looking for Young Talents competition, which he won ex aequo with Roman Hoszowski. The victory qualified him for the finals of the Young Talents Festival, which took place in 1962. Gąssowski did great and was among the top ten winners of the competition. Apart from him, the following artists were honored: Czesław Niemen, Karin Stanek, Helena Majdaniec.

In the meantime, Gąsowski was invited by the Czerwono-Czarni band to various concerts, but it was only the success at the festival that led to him being offered full-fledged cooperation in the form of being a soloist. After a year, he left the band. In 1964, he joined the Chochoły band, however, he did not stay there for long. In 1965 he joined Tajfuny. In 1966 they released the song “Żal”, and a year later the song “Zielone Wzgórza nad Soliną”. These were his musical debuts – his first songs. The latter was well received and added to Gąssowski’s recognition. Over the next years, he collaborated with such music bands as Polany and ABC.

In 1971, Gąssowski, together with ABC musicians, created the Test band. It was his first such project. Together they released one EP – Antonina (1971) and an album – Test (1974). The most famous song from this album is “Adventure without Love”. From that time, Gąssowski began to do his own thing.

Wojciech Gąsowski’s Albums:

Antonina (1971) – 4 songs

Test (1974) – 11 songs
Love Me Tender (1988) – 14 songs
Party (1988) – 16 songs
Gdzie Się Podziały Tamte Prywatki (1991) – 13 songs
Test reedycja (1991) – 16 songs
Złota Kolekcja: Zielona Wzgórza Nad Soliną (1999) – 24 songs
Złota Kolekcja: Przygoda Bez Miłości (2000) – 19 songs
Co Przed Nami (2000) – 14 songs
Gąssowski Świątecznie (2007) – 12 songs
I Wish You Love (2010) – 14 songs

Gąssowski is the author of the famous song “Gdzie się podziały tamte prywatki”. This piece was placed second in the Concert From Opole to Opole competition at the 25th National Festival of Polish Song in Opole. In 1967, at the Jazz nad Odrą Festival, he won the first prize in the jazz vocalist category. The musician received the Golden Microphone Award in 1992. In 2005, he was awarded the Bronze Medal for Merit to Culture – Gloria Artis. He also appeared in episodic roles in the films Dwa Żebra by Adam Janusz Morgenstern, Molo by Wojciech Solarz, and Piłkarski poker by Janusz Zaorski. He recorded two songs for the TV series Wojna domowa. The album Love me tender was awarded a gold record, while the albums Party and Gdzie się podziały tamte prywatki – platinum. He is a musician with long experience, many achievements and, above all, a beautiful voice. Currently, he doesn’t play many concerts (he has one planned for October 2024), but if anyone has the opportunity to listen to this eighty-one-year-old musician – it is certainly worth taking a chance.

Wojciech Gąsowski – Fun facts:

• 1. Gdzie się podziały tamte prywatki was composed by Ryszard Poznakowski, who initially wanted the piece to be performed by Zbigniew Wodecki, but he refused.
  2. Gąssowski and the band Czerwono-Czarni played as many as five concerts in one day, a record for the artist.
  3. He is the author of the song “M jak Miłość” which was played as the intro of the series of the same name.
  4. The song “Tylko wróć” appeared on the album Cocktail Młodości in 1967. He sang it together with Roman Hoszewski, with whom he had won the competition ex aequo a few years earlier. Access to this performance is limited and you can only listen to it on the Internet in the form of gramophone recordings.
  5. Gąssowski and the Test band appeared on Polish television in the 1970s. The musicians were excited about the distinction of appearing on screens, but were disappointed when they were ultimately cut for their “too American appearance”.
  6. Gąssowski took part in the project Albo inaczej, in which he presented a new version of the song “Normalnie o tej porze” by Kaliber 44.
  7. The first song Gąssowski sang in front of the audience was Love Me Tender. It was at the Congress Cafe in Warsaw.
  8. Gąssowski was one of the hostages of the MS Achille Lauro ship hijacked by Palestinian terrorists.

Author: Paweł Skarzyński
Translate: Paulina Lewandowska

Fot. http://www.wojciechgassowski.pl/pl/galeria

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