| Background: | person |
| Big Boss | |
| Landscape: | yes |
| Birth Name: | Jiří Valter |
| Birth Date: | 6 February 1952 |
| Birth Place: | Brno, Czechoslovakia |
| Occupation: | Musician |
| Years Active: | 1987–present |
Jiří Valter,[1] (born 6 February 1952) better known as Big Boss, is the vocalist for the Czech black metal band Root, the progressive metal band Equirhodont, and Big Boss Band, which mainly performs ballads.
Valter was born in Czechoslovakia in 1952[1] [2] to pianist and professor Milan Valter.[3] He started out as a blues vocalist before moving on to hard rock and eventually metal. According to him, "[a]ll these styles are mixed, either in some of my songs or singing. Mostly in my singing".[4] In late 1987, he founded the black metal band Root together with guitarist Blackie.[5]
Big Boss launched his side project Equirhodont with Root bandmates Ashok and Igor in 2002. In addition to his activities with these two bands, he has also recorded four solo albums.
Valter founded the Czech branch of the Church of Satan[1] [4] in 1991.[6] He claims[7] to have been appointed a High Priest in the Church of Satan by Anton LaVey. He still lives his life according to Satanism[1] [4] but delegated the branch's leadership to younger members around 2004[1] and now believes that "everything that smells of organization is shit".[4]
Rumours have frequently circulated about him being gay. He has denied this and stated: "...if they say that I'm homosexual, it is their problem, not mine. Perhaps it is their wishful thinking. Perhaps when they masturbate, they fantasise about me and I'm an unattainable idol for them... really I don't know."[3]