Singer and painter Karel Gott was born in Pilson, Czechoslovakia, but has made his home in Prague since he was six years old. He first began singing in public in 1958, and in 1960 began studying opera and voice at Prague Conservatory. He released his first single in 1962, followed a year later by a Czech version of Henry Mancini's "Moon River." He subsequently ended his official studies at the conservatory, quickly building an impressive career as a singer and composer. In 1967 he signed with Polydor/Deutsche Grammophon and has remained with the label ever since, releasing an astounding 125 albums and some 72 singles. ~ Steve Leggett