They started just like other school bands of the communist era. The band was put together by Vašo Patejdl, who did not even know the band was to become a legend. They used to play in clubs and on local stages in early and mid-seventies. Then came the first breakthrough with a song called “Kaskadér” that hit the first rank in “Bratislavská lyra“ contest. The band’s popularity started to rise immediately. With their hits on the radio and on the TV, one success was following the other. Their songs dominated the top positions in all pop-music charts. The band’s albums became blockbusters that actually broke all the sales records in former Czechoslovakia. Four times during the eighties, the band has won the highest pop-music award “Zlaty Slavik”. With no difference between the kids and adults, the hits performed by Elán are well known to the listeners of all ages. Their melodies and lyrics have become widely popular, so that everybody knows them.

Then suddenly, Jožo Ráž has suffered a serious motorbike crash, as he was hit by a slack car driver. This was a fatal turnover for Jožo himself, but also for the band and of course for the hundreds of thousands of fans in both Slovakia and Czech Republic. The crowds of people were praying for Jožo’s healing. And then the miracle came. Finally, after a longer break, Jožo and Elán made it back to stage.

On September 2007 Elan get down the famous Carnegie Hall on the knees during the performance that never to be forgotten.

Source : www.elan.cz