Memories of the band - years later

      The band Bezimienni ("The Nameless") was active in the years 1964 - 1966.
This account is based on the memories of its members: the founder Kazimierz Koźma, Wiesław Szerla and his girlfriend of the time Anna Matlach, now Górnisiewicz.

     The first line-up was formed at the Telecommunications Technical and Vocational School in 1964, on Łobzowska Street in Kraków, and played at the House of Culture on Grunwaldzka Street.

     The band's programme included covers of: The Shadows, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Animals, The Ventures, The Byrds, as well as songs by: Czerwone Gitary, Czerwono-Czarni and Niebiesko-Czarni .
The pieces played most often were: Paint It Black, I Can't Get No Satisfaction, Tell Me Why, The Last Time, The House Of The Rising Sun , and also the songs of Polish big-beat bands that were popular at the time.

      Rehearsals were held in the private flat of one of the members on Józefa Street, and sometimes in the club room at Solvay. The band took part in contests and won second place in one of the music competitions. It played most often at "Szopa" on Rakowicka Street, at Zarabie in Myślenice, at "Geolog", at "Pinokio" , in fire stations, community rooms and clubs on various occasions, and wherever it was invited.

      The band came to an end in 1966, when Kazimierz Koźma received his call-up papers for the army and the other members began their studies at universities. After the band broke up Wiesław Szerla continued his studies at the AGH, and at the same time earned on the side by playing in the café upstairs at Jubilat and in various student clubs. Before he joined Bezimienni he had played with Wiesław Żakowicz and Jurek Wójcik , who later played in the band Zdrój Jana .

     After graduating he left, for personal reasons, for the USA, where he lives to this day. Kazimierz Koźma after completing his military service returned to Kraków and went back to making music, which he made his profession and his living. He played in various venues in Kraków, such as: Cracovia, Francuski, Kaprys, Feniks.. He ended his music-making not long ago, shortly before retirement. He lives in Kraków, in his beloved Kazimierz.

      The band tried to keep its earlier repertoire, adding new foreign and Polish numbers. The lack of good instruments, equipment, microphones and an organ was felt. We played in restaurants, clubs and cafés in Kraków, and also in Bochnia, Gdów, Wieliczka, Proszowice and other places. The halls were full of young people, who took to our performances with delight.
      In 1969, after his military service, K.Koźma came back for a short time, because T.Chrzanowski had health problems. The band received a good offer to play from July to September in Szczawnica, in the café HALKA .
      As they could not get a longer leave from work, our friends R.Kerschner, A.Bednarz and Wiesiu Szerla could not play with us. To stand in for them, two new members were taken into the band: the bass player Olek Stanisławski and the drummer Edward Skoczeń

      In this line-up the band played all summer in Gdów, in the café Słoneczna, on Saturdays and Sundays from 5 to 9 p.m. The atmosphere was very friendly, the young people enjoyed themselves with spirit but with good manners. We also played there on New Year's Eve 1969.

      The holidaymakers took to our music with great delight; we brought a new sound, and at our performances there were no empty seats. Our guests included very well-known people, such as the actors Ryszard Pietruski and the famous Kloss - Stanisław Mikulski , the well-known radio announcer Jerzy Rosołowski and Mrs Maria Koterbska.
     After 3 months we returned to Kraków and again played in various clubs and at dances for special occasions. At that time the band was left by K.Koźma , who took a job with Estrada Krakowska.
      MINI KRAK changed its line-up once again. T.Chrzanowski came back and a new, professional drummer joined, a native Silesian - Bernard Cudok.

      The band got its next, year-long engagement in Krynica, in the café HAWANA . Here we played a modern repertoire, and all the tickets for the dance evenings were sold out two weeks ahead.
      The earnings were very good, and in a short time Włodek acquired a two-manual organ, Tadek a good amplifier and a brand-name guitar, and I (Leszek) a transistor amplifier with a built-in echo unit and good US-made speaker cabinets. The drummer bought a good Szpaderski drum kit..
     The band had its own wardrobe, with various costumes, wigs and hats, thanks to which we could dress up as Mexicans and cowboys, and so we also played hits connected with those characters.
      After a year of musical work at the HAWANA, the band ended its activity. Włodek Szerla returned to Tarnów, because he had started a family there, and there he played in entertainment venues. Wiesiek Szerla left for the USA, and contact with him, as well as with Rysio Kerschner , was lost. Andrzej Bednarz found work with the military, and my wife and I ran a solarium.
     Sadly, two of our friends have passed away: Tadziu Chrzanowski died, and in October 2017 we buried at the Rakowicki Cemetery Włodek Szerla.
     They were very good friends and musicians and will remain in our memory for ever. Those were beautiful moments in our lives and, sadly, they have passed. Beautiful memories remain..