Iris (Romanian band)

History

Iris began in 1976 with Emil Lechiteanu, Nelu Dumitrescu, Nutu Olteanu. Through the years, the band has experienced many line-up changes. In 33 years of activity, Iris became one of the biggest names in Romanian music history. At the beginning of the 1980s, Cristi Minculescu and Nelu Dumitrescu, who are still present in the current line-up, played with Nutu Olteanu (guitar), Florin Ochescu (guitar) and Marty Popescu (bass guitar). Together they released a debut-album, Iris I, which included songs that became some of the most popular Romanian rock songs: "Doar Pentru Voi" ("Only for You"), "Trenul Fără Naș" ("The Train without a Ticket-collector"), "Pe Ape" ("On Water"), and "Cei Ce Vor Fi" ("The Ones to Come").

In 1987, Iris II was released with an extravagant cover depicting the communist regime, a cover which represented one of Cristi's idols, Angus Young, "in action". The band's line-up was Cristi Minculescu (vocal), Nelu Dumitrescu (drums), Valter Popa (guitar), Mihai Alexandru (guitar, vocal) and Doru "Boro" Borobeica (bass guitar). On this album, notable songs included "Strada Ta" ("Your Street"), "În Parc" ("In the Park"), and "Zi Și Noapte" ("Day and Night").

One year later, Iris released its third album, Nu Te Opri ("Don't Stop"), which featured the same line-up as Iris II. The disc contained eight tracks, but the most important are "Floare De Iris" ("Iris Flower"), "Uită Tot Ce-a Fost" ("Forget all that was"), "Eu Și Cu Tine" ("Me and You"), "Ploaia De Vise" ("The Rain of Dreams").

In December 1989, when the downfall of the Romanian communist regime began, Iris recorded the album Iris IV in Tomis Studio, without Mihai Alexandru, but with Cristi, Nuțu, Boro and Valter. The hits from this album include "De Ce Oare Ai Plecat?" ("Why Did You Leave Me?"), "Vino Iar" ("Come Again"), "Rock And Roll", and "Cine Mă Strigă În Noapte?" ("Who Is Calling Me in the Night?").

In 1992, Iris held an anniversary concert called Iris 15 ANI ("Iris 15 years") at Sala Polivalentă in Bucharest in front of 10,000 people. This was a record audience for a Romanian band, unequalled since that time. That same year, at the Cannes Festival, Iris won second place in the rock section and they appeared on MTV.

The fifth Iris album was named 1993 and was recorded with the Iris IV line-up, plus guitarist Dan Alex Sârbu. Iris played in Italy and on the Malboro Tour, in the big cities of Romania. In July 1996, following Dorian Ciubuc's idea, Iris signed a contract with Polygram for 6 years. In this time, Iris recorded 6 albums. In October 1998, they released Mirage, an album with a union of tracks and orchestration. The album was co-authored with Mihai Godoroja.

In 1997 on October 17, Iris celebrated 20 years of existence with a live performance in Bucharest, featuring both active and former band members. Three weeks later, the band released a celebratory album entitled "20 DE ANI" (20 years). The album has 13 tracks from the live concert: "Pământul îl cuprind", "Călătorul", "Trenul fără naș", "Speranța", "Iris, nu pleca", "Pe ape", "Mirage", "Cine mă strigă în noapte", "Valuri", "Floare de iris", "Tot zbor", "Baby", "Somn bizar".

In 2000 the band began the largest tour ever undertaken by a Romanian band. The "mega-tour", as it was known, was named ATHENAEUM. The band also released an album of the same name. Two years later, DIGITAL ATHENAEUM, a DVD featuring recordings of concerts on the tour, was released. In 2002, the "Iris 25 Years" concert gathered thousands in the biggest concert hall in the country. The next album, Matase Alba ("White Silk") featured ballads, such as "Iubire fara de sfarsit" ("Endless Love") and a cover version of "Lady in Black" by Uriah Heep, which won an MTV Music Award. This album was followed by 4Motion and, in 2005, Iris Maxima. The most notable ballad on Iris Maxima is "Vino pentru totdeauna" ("Come back for always").

On October 5, 2007, the band was honored by Romanian president Traian Băsescu for 30 years of contributions to Romanian culture. On the same day, the band performed in a live show in the front of over 15,000 fans.

In 2009, frontman Cristi Minculescu underwent a liver transplant. The costs of the surgery was partly covered by the Romanian Ministry of Health. The minister of health at the time, Ion Bazac, stated: "It is a sign of respect and gratitude for an artist who has delighted our souls".

On October 8, 2009, the band performed in the first big concert after the liver transplant. On the occasion of this live performance, Integral Iris, a boxset comprising the band's entire discography, was released.

On 22 June 2012 Iris held an anniversary concert in Piața Constituției, marking release os album "Iris 35". At spectacle was presented multimedia projections with moments from band history, and soprano Felicia Filip sang Iris melody “De vei pleca”.

On September 3, 2012, Minculescu, who had been with the band since 1980, stepped down and was replaced by Tony Șeicărescu. On 25 June 2013 Toni Șeicărescu left the group, on the background of some disagreements with Nelu Dumitrescu, being replaced by Rafael Cătălin Paul Ciobotaru. In April 2015, Cristi Minculescu returned to Iris.

Current members

Former members

Awards