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In the first recordings of VIA “Jolly Fellows” his wonderful voice and the sound of the violin are clearly audible
He is Soviet and Russian singer and rock musician. At the first “Moscow Chanson” festival, listeners were simply stunned by the power of his voice and professionalism. You need to hear this... And see: tall, broad-shouldered, elegant, with noble gray hair and a stylish beard - a real Apollo!
Anatoly studied at the electrical technical school, but early realized that his calling was music. Graduated brilliantly music school violin class. I learned to play almost everything musical instruments, but showed himself more clearly as a vocalist.
Studied at Gnesinsky music school, was a musician and lead vocalist of many domestic cult groups and VIA - “Jolly Fellows”, “Flowers”, “Araks”, “Sniper”, “Kinematograph”... His bright creative period is associated with legendary group"Araks", where the violinist and singer came in 1979. It was this group that recorded the songs for the popular rock opera “The Star and Death of Joaquin Murrietta.”
The musician created the music for the song “The Rains Are Noisy” and played hard rock. In the 90s, when the Tender May group reigned in the country, he left for the USA, where he spent 11 years and further improved his musical skills.
In 2002, the musician and singer returned to Russia, and is now successfully going solo.
Anatoly Aleshin
Anatoly, you are a very stylish man, and with age you have become even more impressive. What does the concept of “style” mean to you?
Style is as inseparable a part of a person as his character. Probably this quality was inherent in me. And besides everything else, a whole 39 years professional activity left their mark. I have always had a constant need to monitor my form - the stage demands it! That's all my style secrets.
Some of your peers became drunk and broke down, unable to bear it turning points complex musical life... After all, the life of an artist involves great stress and stress. And you are in excellent stage shape. Many people admire you while looking at TV. And it turns out you are even more beautiful live!
You know, for any professional, life lies in the formula: subordination of all your habits to the profession. This is our secret. If you constantly remember this, then all the pitfalls that haunt a person through life can be avoided. As a result, you can live to an “old age” in excellent shape.
Anatoly Aleshin
- Anatoly, you are a man in the prime of his life! Do you order or buy your elegant clothes?
Yes, I'm like Carlson! (laughs) When you keep yourself in shape, standard sizes from the store fit. I don't have anything specially made.
- You probably work out in a fitness club?
Definitely and definitely! Fitness club is the only place, where I go with great pleasure. No, I’m lying, my home and stage come first.
Anatoly Aleshin
“I’ve never seen anyone have such a stylish beard like yours.” Who “made it” for you?
It was created by a stylist. But not a glamor star, just an employee of an ordinary hairdressing salon. They had some kind of special promotion there. At first my wife said to me: “Maybe you should grow a beard?” I grew it... She was horrified and carefully asked: “Maybe I should give this beard some shape?” Yes, women know what to do! She and I went to the nearest hairdresser and asked: “Do you have any young barber here?” Precisely young, with a fresh look at the image. And they recommended a 20-year-old boy to us. I asked him: “Make me something alternative!” So he made me such an original beard and I’ve been wearing it ever since. She got used to me, and I got used to her. We have been inseparable for six years now.
- Yes, interesting color combination - White hair and a black beard. Are you painting it?
Certainly!
- And it looks natural. What style is your wife’s style in and what attracted you to her in the first place?
At one time, I was probably attracted to her by her youth. And now we’ve been together for more than 30 years - we’re used to it!
Anatoly Aleshin
What's her specialty? After all, many of your colleagues get married, divorced, get married and break up again, falling under the hood of young predators. And you remain faithful to a successful marriage.
It seems to me that the trick lies more in the man than in the woman. I grew up in full family. Since then, this is how I imagine my family - husband and wife. My parents were always together, never divorced - my father did not change his wife. Apparently this affected me too.
Wise! Horses are not changed at the crossing... And if any problems arise conflict situations in relationships, how do you get out of them? What is the secret of a long-term successful union?
Anatoly Aleshin and Lyudmila Nikolaeva (photo by the author)
Over the years, spouses get used to each other's manifestations. But if they want to live together, they find ways to overcome the difficulties and obstacles that arise. I always said that family life- this is a compromise. The main thing is to go to it on time.
- Would you like your wife to change her image, or do you always like her anyway?
Compromise is also important here. I think that the woman you love should be allowed to be what she wants. You shouldn’t “customize” it to suit yourself.
- What should a woman do to always please the man in her life?
Ladies, often remember yourself as your husband loved you! And try to stay the same. If not externally, then internally...
Photo from personal archive Alexandra Aleshina
The City Day celebrations ended with a concert by the soloist of the popular groups “Veselye Rebyaty” and “Araks” Anatoly Aleshin. There was nowhere for an apple to fall in the stands of the stadium, and the people kept coming and coming. And he joined in the general performance of Soviet hits. Well, it was impossible to just watch and listen to how two Anatolys sing (Aleshin performed together with the lead singer of the Cheboksary group “Palitra” Anatoly Gordeev).
The head of the Novocheboksarsk administration, Alexander Sirotkin, who came out to congratulate the townspeople, used the microphone provided and sang one of the songs with them from the stage. “What a spring it has been, what days have come! What are you offended by? Why did we break up?” - the audience picked up, going wild. And Aleshin and Gordeev explained in the pauses between verses that anything had happened, but this was the first time they were singing with the mayor of the city.
Aleshin put a spectacular point in the concert with his most famous song British group“Queen” and rock star Freddie Mercury’s “The show must go on!”, which turned out even more spectacular thanks to the festive fireworks suddenly shining in the sky.
All this happened last Saturday evening. And a few hours before the concert, in the afternoon, Anatoly Aleshin said that this was not his first time in Chuvashia. He is connected with Cheboksary by friends, “the musicians are very high level, you don’t often see such people in Moscow” - this is the group “Palitra” and singer Anatoly Gordeev. He said that he had already given several concerts with them and would come to perform again on October 22. And having found out that we have a Palace of Culture, I remembered that it had already been in Novocheboksarsk, in 1975, together with the “Jolly Fellows”.
— Anatoly, on the Internet you are presented as a legend of Russian rock...
- Well, I would say Soviet. Because Russian rock is a slightly different phenomenon. In the Soviet Union, rock existed as an underground until the 1980s, albeit under the auspices of the Komsomol. I remember in 1966 or 1967 the first rock club in Moscow was organized under the auspices of the Moscow Komsomol committee, and it was based in a rock cafe called “Molodezhnoe” on Gorky Street (now Tverskaya) , and all progressive musical youth gathered there for sessions (concerts) once a month. Sasha Gradsky, today a gray-haired veteran, took part in this fatal movement Soviet rock, Alexander Buinov, he also started in those years, played in one of the Moscow underground bands, and was considered one of the best keyboard players in Moscow.
A Russian rock it's already decided Musical direction, in which rock elements are present very, very fragmentarily. Basically this is an author's song, which is performed to electric guitars instead of acoustic ones.
— How long have you worked with “Merry Fellows”?
- Six years. From 1973 to 1979. I think that this was almost the most stellar period of “Jolly Fellows”, because it was then that both Alexander Buinov and Vyacheslav Malezhik worked there. And Alexander Barykin, now deceased, but then a young, rosy-cheeked, handsome young man who had just come from the army. And Alla Pugacheva. We sang a duet with her. Even the song “Cherry” was released on the record, which we perform together. It was a great time, but maybe it’s a little nostalgia talking to me.
— And Pugacheva, not yet a prima, what was she like?
— If I could characterize him in two words, I would say my boyfriend. But times are changing. You know, now they say: Pugacheva, a prima donna, a complex character. I would look at any of us if... Just imagine, since 1975 she has been pursued by nationwide love and popularity. Almost forty years. Any person in her place would probably break under such a heavy load as fame. She's holding on, well done.
— Have you ever experienced popularity?
— Personally, in such a volume as hers, I didn’t have the chance. But as part of the groups... When I came to the “Jolly Fellows”, there was the same kind of popular love, then in the “Araks” group. I would wish any artist to try his finest hour, because this is why many of us go on stage. I experienced it and am grateful to fate for it.
— In which team did you feel truly happy?
— More likely to be in the “Araks” group than in “Jolly Fellows.” Although the period of work there was shorter, only three years, from 1979 to 1982, it was more eventful with creative events. In “Araks” at that time I was the only soloist, and all the songs were mine. Sasha Barykin, Slava Malezhik, and Sasha Lerman sang in “Jolly Fellows.” I only got part of the songs, sometimes not the best. Although I sang most of the program at the concert, I was less involved in the recording than Sasha Barykin.
Why are you all talking about me? Let's talk about Novocheboksarsk. I really liked the town. So clean and cozy. I'm really surprised by the stadium, it's so neat, the stands are so interesting. Everything is so well organized, everything is on time, the reception is good.
- And still about you. I’m sure many people at “Araks” will remember such a unique “thing” as the rock opera “The Star and Death of Joaquin Murrieta.” Were you involved in it?
— It was the first rock opera released on a double album. I arrived a little later, so I only got the stage part, in the theater. IN theatrical version all the main arias were sung by actors, at that time Nikolai Karachentsov and Alexander Abdulov. The ensemble played the role musical accompaniment and extras, we put on costumes, went on stage...
- What was going on in the hall?
- Always sold out, always applauded at the end of the performance. And then the same “fate” befell the next rock opera “Juno and Avos”. It still plays to full houses for more than 30 years (an amazing phenomenon!).
— Why did you leave for America?
— In order to understand the reasons that pushed me there, we need to remember what country we lived in. And what is it for us, for Soviet people, even the word “abroad” meant. Not to mention capital countries, it was even possible to travel to Bulgaria, Poland, and other states of the socialist camp a big problem. The inaccessible fruit is also sweet.
The first time I went to America was in 1989; my wife’s relatives lived there. It turned out to be so easy to buy a ticket and go. This ease of leaving was so captivating, and I wanted to live in a different social environment. I didn’t leave today’s Russia, I left the Soviet Union. Although perestroika began there, everything remained almost the same. That is, there is a shortage on the shelves, constant conversations over a glass in the kitchen about the social system, about when all this will finally end. And suddenly they offer me a job in New York. Well, I went. This dragged on for twelve years. Then I got fed up, of course... Honestly, it was an adventurous move to go back. I didn’t know what I would do here, what kind of country Russia is now. I was already completely adapted to American life.
- What were you doing there?
- He also sang.
- Where?
— In Russian restaurants. There are about half a million Russians in New York... But there was no creative satisfaction. Maybe I came back for this? Because from the point of view of everyday life, life there is comfortable. But maybe this convenience, comfort and predictability at some point becomes boring and boring. And you begin to feel ten years older. And here you are always in good shape!
—Have you returned to another country yet?
— The elements of capitalism that are present here are familiar to me from America. Elements of Soviet-era traditions have also not gone away. That is, life has changed little compared to what it was in the Soviet Union. It’s just that capitalism entered into it: there was abundance on the shelves and... the problem arose of where to get the money to buy it all. Life here is not so comfortable. Certain social strata, of course, live very comfortably, but for the general mass, little has changed.
— A Russian is different from Soviet man?
- Certainly. New features have appeared. But they are not the best. Still, the absence national idea, which was, affected the consciousness, had a destructive effect. Many live only for today and only for their own interests.
- Did you find yourself here?
- It was difficult, but I found it. I record new songs, participate in various television projects. For example, in “Superstar”.
— Is rock present in your activities now?
— Fragmentary. Because throw it out of yours musical history an entire page called the “Araks” group is impossible. But an artist must have an audience, and Soviet-era rock today does not provide an audience. Well, maybe two or three performers. Kipelov today works in rock and, perhaps, “Alice” (Kinchev), everything else is more an author’s song.
— Young people are passionate about rap. What do you have to say about this?
— In my time, young people were fond of metal. Without exception. Everyone played metal rock and just wanted to listen to it. Where is he now? The same will happen with rap. Rap is new form poetry, street poetry. Rhymed not according to the rules, where there is iambic, trochee, dactyl, but subordinate to rhythm percussion instruments style. Rappers say “reading”. Each new generation is looking for its own way of self-expression, its own pedestal on which it can establish itself. Rap is their pedestal. This is not clear to us. And for them the only possible form, not even musical, is poetic, to express themselves. Among the rappers, there are also talented and untalented ones, but today everyone reads them, just as 25 years ago everyone played metal rock.
-What are you listening to?
— I try only contemporary music, and I approach it professionally. And so I read more. I love modern science fiction, modern detective, something that doesn’t overload the brain and is well written. This is probably a way of self-isolation from the outside world. Because some people prefer TV, but I hardly watch it, I get my news from the Internet. In my free time from music, I go to a sports club. I try to do this regularly.
— You can ask a question about personal life?
- Yes. I've been married for thirty-three years. I have a son, he lives in America.
- Have a dream?
- There is a guiding star. For me, this is like a goal - to be in demand. In general, for any man to be needed by someone: family, work, children, grandchildren - this is life. As soon as the demand ceases, the man leaves. And if it’s hard, then he dies right in the process. Of course, it’s sad to say: not even six months have passed since Sasha Barykin died. After the heart attack that happened in January, he needed to undergo a rehabilitation course. And he immediately rushed to concerts. But I know that he has complete dedication on stage, his heart simply couldn’t stand it. And in contrast to him, Sasha Monin, the lead singer of the “Cruise” group, died a year ago from lack of demand. One burned out at work, the other killed himself due to her absence (alcohol). So he said: “I don’t want to live, I’ll die soon.”
So for me, the guiding light is to be needed.
Styles to which the performer can be classified:Metal, Heavy metal
Anatoly Aleshin brilliantly graduated from music school in violin class. He was predicted to have a great future, but he entered electrical engineering school. True, after finishing it, I realized that I couldn’t imagine life without music. The first group he organized was called “Wind of Change.” Having played almost all the instruments, Anatoly first tried himself as a vocalist. To improve his performing level, he entered the Gnessin School. I received my first lessons in professional skills in the “Jolly Guys” group. With his participation, “Jolly Fellows” recorded the most famous album in their history, “Love is a Huge Country,” which is still considered a “classic of the genre.” But the brightest, star stage creative biography Anatoly is associated with the legendary group "Araks", famous for its participation in Lenkom's performances - "Til" (1974), "Autograd XXI" (1975) and, of course, "The Star and Life of Joaquin Murietta" (1978). Violinist and singer Anatoly Aleshin joined the group in early 1979. After the decree of the Ministry of Culture of the RSFSR was issued in the summer of 1982 on the disbandment of the Araks group, Aleshin created the semi-underground group Stayer, which played a little archaic, but brilliant professional hard rock.
But in the late 1980s, the star of “Tender May” rose on the stage. The whole country sang the tearful songs of the new idols. It felt like other song genres were dead. Many rock bands have gone underground. Anatoly, who cannot imagine life without a stage, tried to adapt to pop music, but, realizing that this was not his path, he left for the USA in 1990.
Anatoly himself considers the “American period” of his work, which lasted 11 long years, as a kind of second school, a real “master class” of rock and roll. Working in New York with professional rock musicians, he gained vast experience in everything related to rock as part of show business. I learned a completely different approach to working with sound, which did not exist before and still does not exist in the entire post-Soviet space. In America, having rethought many things, Aleshin found his place in modern music, having developed own style, which he defines as “a symbiosis of Russian song and modern hard rock.”
In 2002, Anatoly Aleshin returned from America and created new group. The rise was rapid: within a year, a repertoire was selected that included several remakes of the classic “Araksov” repertoire and songs that fit into the updated concept of the musicians. Two songs (“Separation Blues” and “ Strange night") was presented to the group by Sergei Trofimov, the author, according to Anatoly Aleshin, who is most sensitive to the aesthetics of traditional Moscow rock music of the 80s. Musical experience Anatolia and enthusiasm, supported by the professionalism of the young group members, made it possible to create a program that is relevant both in sound and in repertoire.
Anatoly Aleshin brilliantly graduated from music school in violin class. He was predicted to have a great future, but he entered electrical engineering school. True, after finishing it, I realized that I couldn’t imagine life without music. The first group he organized was called “Wind of Change.” Having played almost all the instruments, Anatoly first tried himself as a vocalist. To improve his performing level, he entered the Gnessin School. I received my first lessons in professional skills in the “Jolly Guys” group. With his participation, “Jolly Fellows” recorded the most famous album in their history, “Love is a Huge Country,” which is still considered a “classic of the genre.” But the brightest, stellar stage in Anatoly’s creative biography is associated with the legendary group “Araks”, which became famous for its participation in Lenkom’s performances - “Til” (1974), “Autograd XXI” (1975) and, of course, “The Star and Life of Joaquin Murietta” ( 1978). Violinist and singer Anatoly Aleshin joined the group in early 1979. After the decree of the Ministry of Culture of the RSFSR was issued in the summer of 1982 on the disbandment of the Araks group, Aleshin created the semi-underground group Stayer, which played a little archaic, but brilliant professional hard rock.
But in the late 1980s, the star of “Tender May” rose on the stage. The whole country sang the tearful songs of the new idols. It felt like other song genres were dead. Many rock bands have gone underground. Anatoly, who cannot imagine life without a stage, tried to adapt to pop music, but, realizing that this was not his path, he left for the USA in 1990.
Anatoly himself considers the “American period” of his work, which lasted 11 long years, as a kind of second school, a real “master class” of rock and roll. Working in New York with professional rock musicians, he gained vast experience in everything related to rock as part of show business. I learned a completely different approach to working with sound, which did not exist before and still does not exist in the entire post-Soviet space. In America, having rethought many things, Aleshin found his place in modern music, developing his own style, which he defined as “a symbiosis of Russian song and modern hard rock.”
In 2002, Anatoly Aleshin returned from America and created a new group. The rise was rapid: within a year, a repertoire was selected that included several remakes of the classic “Araksov” repertoire and songs that fit into the updated concept of the musicians. Two songs (“Separation Blues” and “Strange Night”) were presented to the group by Sergei Trofimov, the author, according to Anatoly Aleshin, who is most sensitive to the aesthetics of traditional Moscow rock music of the 80s. Anatoly’s musical experience and enthusiasm, supported by the professionalism of the young group members, made it possible to create a program that is relevant both in sound and in repertoire.
