Jiří Valenta, Keyboardist for Czech Rock Band Olympic, Dies
Jiří Valenta, a former keyboardist for the renowned Czech rock band Olympic, has died, according to announcements made by the band and Petr Janda, the group’s longtime leader. The news was shared on social media on February 28, 2026, prompting an outpouring of grief from fans and fellow musicians.
Olympic’s History and Valenta’s Contribution
Founded in Prague in 1962, Olympic has been a cornerstone of the Czech music scene for over six decades. Led by Petr Janda since 1963, the band has seen numerous musicians pass through its ranks, including František Ringo Čech and Jiří Korn. Valenta was a member of Olympic for a period of time, contributing to the band’s rich musical legacy.
As of 2025, Olympic has released 24 studio albums, alongside five English-language albums, and a substantial collection of live recordings, and compilations. The band celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2012.
Recent News and Reactions
The announcement of Valenta’s death was met with sadness by Olympic and its fans. Details surrounding his passing have been limited, but the band expressed deep sorrow over the loss of their former colleague. Further information regarding the circumstances of his death was reported by news outlets, including details about the location where he died.
Petr Janda shared his grief on social media, reflecting on the impact of Valenta’s passing.
About Olympic
Olympic began as a band called Karkulka in 1962, evolving into Olympic a year later. The band’s early sound was rooted in substantial beat, a style popular in Eastern Bloc countries that blended rock and roll, jazz, and twist. Throughout its history, Olympic has explored various genres, including hard rock, pop rock, rock and roll, and heavy metal.
Current members of Olympic include Petr Janda, Milan Broum, Martin Vajgl, and Pavel Březina. Past members include Miloslav Růžek, Petr Kaplan, Jaromír Klempíř, Pavel Sedláček, Josef Smeták, Pavel Bobek, Miki Volek, František Ringo Čech, Pavel Chrastina, Miroslav Berka, Yvonne Přenosilová, Josef Laufer, Jiří Laurent, Jan Antonín Pacák, Ladislav Klein, Jan Hauser, Jiří Korn, Petr Hejduk, Ladislav Chvalkovský, Pavel Petráš, Milan Peroutka, Jiří Valenta, and Jiří Valenta.
More information about Olympic can be found on their official website: kupina-olympic.cz.