<P> Hippie culture emerged in the late 60s and early 70s . Although very similar in terms of aesthetic to their western cousins, Soviet hippies were more passive . The Soviet hippie movement did not develop the same radical social and political sensibilities as did the New Left in the United States . Elsewhere in the eastern bloc, however, rockers and hippies were quite politically active and in the Prague Spring of 1968 numerous concerts were held in support of greater liberalization . </P> <P> The major development for rock behind the Iron Curtain in the 1970s was original songs written in the authors' native language . Bands like Illés in Hungary, the Plastic People of the Universe in Czechoslovakia, and Time Machine in the Soviet Union adapted their native languages to rock . They managed to enjoy a steady following, unlike similar attempts by other bands in the 1960s, although they were mostly underground . The mainstream was dominated by VIAs (vocal instrument ensembles) which were officially sanctioned rock and pop groups whose lyrics were vetted and whose music was considerably tamer than the underground groups . The East German government even established a bureau for rock, indicating their desire to gain control of the movement . </P> <P> Although the Seventies were mainly a doldrums for Soviet rock fans, resistance to official policy would still erupt from time to time elsewhere in the bloc, particularly East Germany . Even in places where rock's suppression did not produce violent reactions, like Czechoslovakia and the Soviet Union itself, the underground continued to flourish, creating a "second culture", which would have dramatic effects in the future . </P> <P> In 1980, the Tbilisi Rock Festival was held . The festival was significant because the bands that generated the most "buzz" were not official VIA groups but underground acts like Aquarium . As the 80s progressed, more authentic and "street" oriented groups would gain popularity . Mike Naumenko upset the status quo of even the underground with frank lyrics about life in the Soviet Union; he even addressed taboo subjects such as sex in songs like "Outskirts Blues" and "Ode to the Bathroom". A result of this greater enthusiasm for a genuine native rock scene was a burgeoning home - made album movement . Bands would simply make their own albums; many artists would record copies by using personal reel to reel machines . The finished products were often complete with album art and liner notes, bringing a greater level of quality and sophistication to amateur recordings . By the mid-eighties, under pressure from the Composers' Union and out of concern for the negative effects of rock, the underground and rock music were effectively outlawed . Clubs were closed, rock journalists were censored, popular underground bands were criticized in the press, and official bands were forced to play songs written by the Composers' Union . Elsewhere in the Eastern Bloc, punk was beginning to take hold due to dissatisfaction with political and economic situation for the youth in Czechoslovakia and East Germany . </P>

First western band to play in soviet union