Vytautas Kernagis (May 19, 1951 - March 15, 2008) was a Lithuanian singer-songwriter, actor and television announcer. He is considered a pioneer of Lithuanian singing poetry. Vytautas Kernagis has died on Saturday following a gastric cancer. He was 56 years old.

Vytautas Kernagis attended M.K.Ciurlionis and Vilnius 23rd schools. In 1973, he graduated from the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre. He was a member of the pioneering Lithuanian big beat bands ,,Aisciai" (1966-1968) and ,,Rupus miltai"(1969-1972). Kernagis recorded his first album of singing poetry in 1978. Kernagis also took part in the first Lithuanian rock opera ,,Velnio nuotaka", first Lithuanian musical ,,Ugnies medziokle su varovais" (1976), and first Lithuanian musical for dolls theatre ,,Sokantis ir dainuojantis mergaites vieverselis".

I wish he had some songs in english, so you could all hear and understand what made him such a great person in my and others eyes. Listening to his songs isn't the same as listening to any other Lithuanian artist. And I was not one of those who loved him before the cancer got him.

A month ago I watched singing contest on TV called "Zvaigzdziu Duetai" ("Duets of Stars"), only that time everything was different. Show was dedicated to Vytautas Kernagis. All the duets (2 people group made of famous and ordinary person) were singing Vytautas Kernagis songs, making them sound a little bit different. I just sat in front of TV and spent all the evening listening and thinking. As the show was coming to an end, 2 members of the committee and one of the best Vytautas Kernagis friends Ilona Balsyte and Andrius Kulikauskas performed a song called "Milzinai" ("Giants"). I have to say I almost cried myself. And I'm very close to that now, since I only got the news about his death.

Spent nearly all day listening to "Giants" and can't stop. It's beauty totally got me. Spent few spare minutes and translated song lyrics from lithuanian to english. Tried to do my best but realised that it will never sound or look in any other language as it does in lithuanian.

Rest in peace, Vytautas Kernagis. We love You.

P.S. Lyrics - Dalia Saukaityte, author of music - maestro Vytautas Kernagis, translation - Justinas "Justafa" Vebra