Voltaj

Founded in 1982, Voltaj quickly proved to have a personality too strong for the communist regime of the time, to the point that some considered them a “danger” to society. Their first concert at the “Mihai Eminescu” House of Culture in Bucharest was marked by the song Nori de hârtie. Subsequent stage appearances featured songs such as Aceasta-i întrebarea as well as covers of AC/DC tracks.

The initial line-up—Horaţiu Rad (bass), Nikki Dinescu (drums), Gabi Nacu (guitar), Cristi Minculescu (vocals; future singer of Iris), and Adrian Ilie (guitar)—did not last. In October 1986 the band restarted with Cristi Ilie on vocals, Amadeo Bolohoi on guitar, Dan Mateescu on bass, Doru Istudor M.S. on drums, and Adrian Ilie as the only survivor from the first formula. New changes followed in 1988 with the arrival of guitarists Gabi Constantin and Cristi Luca, and Valeriu Ionescu on bass, while Cristi Ilie and Doru Istudor M.S. remained on vocals and drums, respectively.

The first discographic release came late, in 1995, with Nori de hârtie and Lumina on the compilation “Unplugged Romania”, featuring singer Tavi Colen. The first album, Pericol de moarte, was released in December the same year on the Roton label, with Adrian Sârbu replacing Cristi Luca. Compiling the band’s early successes, the album was well received by both fans and specialists; its unexpected, nonconformist release was followed by a promotional tour in all the country’s major cities.

A major turning point came in 1998 with the arrival of new singer Călin Goia and new drummer Paul Neacşu. For the first time, a line-up change went hand in hand with a noticeable evolution in the band’s musical style and image. The first single from this new formula was a cover of We Will Rock You, titled Asta-i Viaţa. The Asta-i Viaţa maxi-single, released on 12 February 1999, quickly became one of Voltaj’s first major hits, praised by the media as the best Romanian song of the beginning of the year. An intensive promotional campaign—concerts and TV appearances included—was then launched.

The group then began work on a new album, Risk Maxim 2, while considering a change of look. Initially a heavy metal band, Voltaj later shifted toward pop/rock after the major line-up changes of the 1990s. After releasing many successful singles and enjoying strong radio airplay, it became one of the country’s best-known pop groups.

Among the many members who have been part of the group over the years are also Dan Cimpoieru, Sorin Chifiriuc, Mircea Preda, Manuel Savu, Doru Borobeică, Alexandru Nuca, Mihai Stoica, Florin Ionescu, Eugen Sălceanu, Andy Nucă, Oliver Sterian, Constantin Sandu, Laurențiu Cristea, Cristian Ioniță, Cristi Marinescu, Bogdan Cristea, Adrian Cristescu, Marin Teodor, Virgil Ianca, Vladimir Negoescu and Sanda Lăcătușu.