In 1978, three young basques, Jose Luis Anabitarte (Gorri), Javier Iturrioz and Jose Antonio Santamaria landed on the island of Ibiza and bought a rustic garden known as the "Club San Rafael". The garden was renamed KU, after their already existing discotheque in San Sebastian. KU is the Hawaiian God of prosperity and war. A bloodthirsty yet, generous and benevolent God, who emphasizes that all hu
man beings are children from a single source. KU is a masculine force that frees one from their faults and errors but, it is only by living in love for the land that he grants peace, prosperity, good health and abundance. This was the symbol of the KU disco. Gorri, along with his creative team of magic makers, including Brasilio (Coco Loco Bar/parties), Faruk (Bar Privé/parties), Pino (live concerts), Tirso (decoration and lighting) and many more, would soon discover that a legend was born. The innovative parties, contests and live groups all gained momentum and flair during the early 1980's. These unique gatherings of free spirits were fuelled by the Balearic Beat (a mix of all musical tendencies with an emphasis on Synth-Pop and New Wave genre) playing on until sunrise. By the mid 1980's, this secret garden had become the melting pot for international millionaires, aristocrats, movie stars, pop stars, top sports men, famous designers, native ibicencos, people from Ibiza, transvestites, hippies, homosexuals, extravagant clubbers and eccentric creatures of the night, all mixed together to experience surreal sessions of nocturnal euphoria. The 1980's at KU were a time of creativity, innocence and freedom. Under the moon and the stars all the elements united. People from diverse walks of life gathered in this utopia to welcome the coming of the new age in human evolution. KU grew exponentially and was deemed by the press to be the world's most prestigious night club and, was subsequently named by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's biggest discotheque. The generosity of the KU people, who worked with open hearts to create this ecstatic atmosphere, ironically painted their own demise. The original KU feeling soon vanished in the midst of business minded opportunists. Also, with the arrival of the law forbidding open air discotheques and the invasion of the island by foreign promoters toting mainstream music, the magic was siphoned out, leaving a generation of disillusioned dreamers with out a home. After 1990, the KU was closed for repairs and following the tragic death of Santamaria in 1993, the mythical discotheque changed hands in 1993 and was renamed Privilege in 1995. In the image of the KU God, who rises up with the sun in the east to shed light upon the earth, the purpose of this website is to cast light upon the best years of the KU of Ibiza, undeniably the 1980's. We welcome all those who want to discover or to revive this period, to contribute with their memories, pictures and comments in an effort to restore that enchanted feeling that was "KU Ibiza Best Years". Thanks to all, with love, peace and unity,
The KU Ibiza 80's Team
