Easily one of the most respected and long-lived popular Czech pop stars, Lucie Bílá was born Hana Zanáková on April 7, 1966, in Otvovice. Bílá initially got her start in the pop music biz as a member of two groups, Rock-Automat and Arakain, before being noticed in 1980 by promoter, producer, and songwriter Petr Hannig, who would give her her famous stage name and pen many of her early successes. In addition to being a popular recording star in her home nation, Bílá also made a name for herself in a number of musical stage appearances, such as Dracula, Romeo & Juliet, and Excalibur. ~ Chris True