Valeriu Sterian

Biography

Valeriu (Vali) Sterian (Romanian pronunciation: [vaˈlerju steriˈan]; 21 September 1952, in Știubei, Buzău County – 16 September 2000, in Bucharest) was a Romanian folk and rock musician.

Studies

He studied at the University of Bucharest and obtained a BA in psychology.

Musical activity

Valeriu Sterian started as a drummer during secondary school in the music band Copiii Florilor (Flower Children). His official debut was in 1973 at the Ballads' Spring Festival (Festivalul Primavara Baladelor) (where he received the Best Song Award for the single Nopți (Nights). At that time he was performing with Carmen Marin as Vali și Carmen.
He played for many years within the Cenaclul Flacăra. In 1979 he founded a music band called Compania de Sunet (Sound Company), with which he toured all over the country and also in Bulgaria, Hungary, USSR, Poland, Norway, France, United Kingdom, and in the United States.
In 1993 he founded a record company called B'Inișor ("Pretty well"). He collaborated with other Romanian musicians, such as: Alexandru Andrieș, Nicu Alifantis, Doru Stănculescu, Maria Gheorghiu.

Personal life

In 1999 he was involved in a road traffic accident on Gheorghe Magheru Avenue in Bucharest in which two people were killed. He was arrested on 4 October on suspicion of homicide and driving under the influence of alcohol.
Within a month he was bailed and died of cancer the following year.