Ruja
Ruja was one of the foremost Estonian rock bands of the 1970s and 1980s.[1] The name of the band comes from a neologism "ruja", for science fiction, though there are people who believe that "ruja" is actually made up of the first letters of the band's important members (R – Rein Rannap, U – Urmas Alender, J – Jaanus Nõgisto and A – Andrus Vaht). The band released their first and self-titled album in 1979. Many of the original melodies of Ruja were composed by Rein Rannap.
Ruja | |
---|---|
Origin | Estonia |
Genres | Progressive rock Rock Folk rock Hard rock Rockabilly Psychedelic rock |
Years active | 1971–1988 |
The band was created by Rein Rannap in 1971 while in the 11th grade. Ruja's 3 first members were Rein Rannap, Urmas Alender and Andrus Vaht.
On September 28, 1994, the band's lead singer, Urmas Alender, died in the sinking of passenger ferry M/S Estonia. After Alender's funeral concert a couple of days later, the remaining members of the band decided never to perform under the name of "Ruja" again.
Members
1971–1975
- Urmas Alender (vocals)
- Jaanus Nõgisto (guitar)
- Tiit Haagma (bass)
- Rein Rannap (keyboards)
- Andrus Vaht (drums)
- Toomas Veenre (guitar)
- Andres Põldroo (guitar)
1975–1978
- Urmas Alender (vocals)
- Jaanus Nõgisto (guitar)
- Tiit Haagma (bass)
- Priit Kuulberg (bass 1978–1980)
- Margus Kappel (keyboards, 12-string guitar)
- Andrus Vaht (drums)
- Ivo Varts (drums 1978–1980)
1980–1983
- Urmas Alender (vocals)
- Jaanus Nõgisto (guitar)
- Tiit Haagma (bass)
- Rein Rannap (keyboards)
- Jaan Karp (drums)
1985–1988
- Urmas Alender (vocals)
- Indrek Patte (vocals 1987)
- Jaanus Nõgisto (guitar)
- Tiit Haagma (bass 1985–1986)
- Igor Garšnek (keyboards)
- Toomas Rull (drums, vocals 1985–1986)
- Rein Joasoo (drums,1986–1986)
- Arvo Urb (drums 1987–1988)
- S.P. Gulliver (bass 1987–1988))
- Nevil Blumberg (guitar 1988)
- Raul Jaanson (guitar 1988)
Discography
- Ruja (EP) (1979)
- Ruja (LP) (1982)
- Kivi veereb (1987)
- Pust budet vsjo (1989)
- Must lind (1994)
- Need ei vaata tagasi... Osa 1 (1999)
- Need ei vaata tagasi... Osa 2 (1999)
Videos
- "Rujavisioon" (1999). Video cassette (VHS)
References
External links
- Ruja discography at MusicBrainz
- Estonian progressive rock website
- Ruja.ee (in Estonian)