Щурците

Shturcite (Bulgarian: "Щурците", English "The Crickets", sometimes romanized as Shturtsite) were a Bulgarian rock group. They were one of the most successful bands in Bulgaria during the 70's and 80's and still have many fans. The band broke up once in 1990, reformed in 1997, and disbanded again in 2013. The group has been characterized as "Bulgaria's answer to The Beatles". The band was formed in the fall of 1966 by members of "Бъндараците" and "Слънчеви Братя". In the following year the group won first prize at the festival "Златният Орфей" (The Golden Orpheus) with the song "Бяла Тишина" performed together with Георги Минчев. During these years, the group performed songs influenced by The Beatles. In the '70s their work was more oriented towards progressive rock and this required the inclusion of keyboards. The band released several EP and SP, but it was not before 1976 they record their first LP with its hit single "Дай ми малко нежност" ("Give Me A Little Tenderness"). The next decade was the most successful for the group. In 1987 they made a great national tour for the 20th anniversary of the group, which involved all former members of Щурците and was also shot on film. A triple Live LP was recorded on that tour. In the late '80s the group terminated their concert activity and consequently have occasional gatherings on various occasions. The journalist Румен Янев issued two biographies books about Щурците - "Зимата на Щурците" (1998) and "Вкусът на времето" (2007).