Lev Leshchenko - biography, photo, personal life of the artist. Lev Valeryanovich Leshchenko. Biography and real name Biography of Lev Leshchenko and personal life

Lev Leshchenko is one of the masters of the Soviet, and later Russian stage. An outstanding singer, artist, talented teacher. A native Muscovite, whose birth fell on the harsh war years (02/01/1942).

Childhood and parents

Most likely, Lev Leshchenko inherited the talent of the singer. His grandfather was also famous for his voice, he sang in the church choir and played the violin superbly. His father successfully graduated from high school and became an accountant at one of the Moscow factories. In the Finnish war he was drafted into the Red Army, served and received an offer to continue his service in the NKVD.

In childhood

In those days, such appointments were not refused, and Valerian Leshchenko made a brilliant military career. He already met the Great Patriotic War, being the commander of a special purpose regiment. He served in the hottest sectors of the front, received many awards.

In the post-war period, he continued to serve in the state security, from where he retired. He died in 2004, a few months before his centenary.

Lev Leshchenko lost his mother early. She died at the age of 28 at the height of the war. The father had to take his little son to him and entrust the care of his adjutants. So the childhood of the future famous singer passed in a harsh military environment: in a soldier's uniform, rigor and discipline. Fortunately, the war soon ended, and the father moved the boy to a more suitable environment.

In youth

Music and singing were taught by his grandfather, with whom the boy had the warmest relationship until his death. He also instilled in his grandson a love for both folk and classical music. Playing the violin did not attract him too much - the mischievous and agile child simply did not have enough perseverance, but he studied singing diligently and very willingly.

Becoming a singer

Soon the father receives a new appointment and moves to Moscow. There, Leo has a stepmother, and after a while, a younger sister, Valechka. In Moscow, he goes to school, where he successfully combines his studies with many other interesting and creative activities: he attends an art school, sings in the Pioneers' Palace, plays in a brass band, and even actively goes in for swimming.

In young age

But in adolescence, the young talent succumbs to the persuasion of the choir leader and leaves all other hobbies to focus only on singing. He becomes a soloist and participates in all performances and concerts. Most of all, he likes the repertoire of the legend of the Soviet stage of those years, Leonid Utesov.

Leshchenko simply could not imagine his life without a stage. Therefore, it was decided to become an artist after school. He twice applied to Moscow theater universities, but did not pass the exams. In the breaks between admissions, he earned his own money as a stage worker, absorbing the atmosphere of the theater.

His plans were violated by conscription into the ranks of the Soviet Army. The dream of the future artist was the sea and a striped vest. But then his father intervened in his fate, helping to ensure that his son was assigned to serve in the tank troops stationed in the then GDR. There they quickly learned about his talent and were appointed soloist of the military ensemble. And so his army years passed.

Star Rising

After serving in the army, Lev Leshchenko returns to Moscow and again submits documents to GITIS. This time he is already much more confident in himself, as he managed to gain experience in performing on the big stage. And even the fact that the reception had already ended did not become an obstacle to being listened to and immediately included in the student lists.

Already in the second year of study, Leshchenko, on the recommendation of one of the teachers, was invited to work in the operetta theater. There he had the chance to learn acting from outstanding singers and artists. During the holidays, he toured the country as part of a troupe, and in parallel with his studies, he managed to earn extra money at the Mosconcert.

But the real fame for the young singer came in 1972, when he received awards from two international song festivals at once - Golden Orpheus and Sopot. Already by this time known in the Soviet Union, after these victories he became a real celebrity, moreover, of an international level.

After returning from festivals, he begins touring the country a lot in the most prestigious concert halls. Repeatedly speaks in the Kremlin Palace of Congresses before statesmen of the highest rank. Already in 1977 he became an honored artist of the RSFSR, and a year later he received the Lenin Komsomol Prize from the hands of Brezhnev.

Career Peak

The finest hour for Leshchenko was the recording of a song that sounded at the closing of the XXII Olympic Games, when the famous Olympic Bear soared over the Moscow stadium in Luzhniki, saying goodbye to Muscovites and athletes from all over the world. The song remained a popular hit for a long time and sounded from almost every window.

For the performance of the song and active participation in the cultural program of the Moscow Olympiad, Leshchenko will receive the Order of Friendship of Peoples.

For the next decade, he continues to actively tour, recording new records and songs on radio and television. He is a permanent participant in the traditional popularly beloved programs "Blue Light" and "Song of the Year". Many songs of those years were included in the "golden fund" of the Soviet stage, are still known and loved not only by older generations, but also by young people.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Leshchenko heads the state music agency, which actually takes over the functions of the former Mosconcert. It turned out that he had the talent not only of a singer, but also of a manager. He brilliantly oversees the process of organizing tours of famous performers and musical groups. Under his leadership, creative evenings of Soviet and Russian pop stars, music festivals and combined concerts are held.

There is practically no time left for solo touring activities, but he often appears on TV screens and performs at all important concerts. At the same time, Lev Leshchenko began an active teaching career. Thanks to his pedagogical talent, such young performers as Katya Lel and many others opened up to the country.

Personal life of Lev Leshchenko

Today Lev Leshchenko, despite his age, continues to teach. He writes songs for the largest Russian corporations and performs at their corporate parties, which he himself organizes. Now he closely cooperates with such giants as Lukoil, Gazprom, etc. Vagit Alikperov has been his close friend for many years.

All his life he has been actively involved in sports: playing football, basketball, swimming, running. By the way, he is the honorary president of the Triumph basketball club. Previously, he often took part in friendly matches between pop stars and football stars.

In the summer of 2018, Lev Valeryanovich became one of the mentors of the song show "Voice 60", to whom he gave a lot of strength, and in the fall he stood up for the rapper Husky, when he was arrested immediately after the performance.

The first marriage of Lev Leshchenko with the singer Albina Abdalova lasted 10 years and broke up due to the mutual jealousy of the spouses. And with his second wife, Irina Leshchenko, he lives to this day.

With wife Irina

The family is an example of sincere love, mutual respect and patience for the entire Russian stage. Unfortunately, God did not give Lev Valerianovich children.

But he was and remains a popularly beloved artist, dear to millions of Russian hearts.

The favorite of millions, the idol of many generations, Lev Valeryanovich Leshchenko was born on February 1, 1942 in the city of Moscow. For more than half a century, he has been pleasing fans with his work, and by the appearance of the singer you can never say that he is 76 years old. The artist's father was a regular military man, and his mother died a year after the birth of the child. The cause of the tragedy was an incurable sore throat. Dad married a second time, and the stepmother raised the boy as her own son, for which he is grateful to her to this day. Lev Leshchenko's wife became his lifelong reliable support and support, a real keeper of the hearth. In the photo: Lev Leshchenko in his youth

Lev Leshchenko's wife (photo)

The first wife of Lev Leshchenko met on his life path in his student years. Both of them were students of GITIS, only Alla Abdalova studied two years older and was considered one of the best and most promising students in her stream. Her plans included a career as a classical singer, but for the sake of her husband, she began to engage in pop singing. Lev Leshchenko and his wife went on tour together in their youth, gave joint concerts, their duet was a success. However, the family for Lev Leshchenko gradually began to fade into the background. The artist made a dizzying career, but his wife had to be content with only his shadow.
In the photo: Lev Leshchenko and Alla Abdalova

The reason for the divorce was the romance of Lev Valeryanovich and a young girl, which happened during his next tour in Sochi. Not without well-wishers, who immediately helped to ensure that Leshchenko's ex-wife found out about the adventures of her lover in all its glory. The personal life of Alla and Leo ended at the moment when the artist returned from the tour, and on the threshold a packed suitcase with personal belongings was waiting for him.
In the photo: Alla Abdalova

The second wife met the famous singer Lev Leshchenko when he was only 34 years old. He was just working out concerts in Sochi and was returning home when an amazing girl named Irina entered the elevator. She was younger than the artist by as much as 12 years, but even age did not become an obstacle to the rapid development of their relationship. Leshchenko's wife at that time was studying in Budapest, therefore she could not know that she was facing a famous performer. Initially, she mistook him for one of the local mafiosi. Literally the next day, she already went to Moscow, and her companion in love followed her.
In the photo: Lev Leshchenko with his wife Irina

Leo and Irina played a wedding a year after they met. The woman even left her career as a diplomat for the sake of her family in order to be able to devote herself entirely to her beloved spouse and home. She currently holds the position of assistant director at her husband's theater "Music Agency". The photo of Lev Leshchenko's wife is not so often seen on the Internet, however, even from the few pictures we can say that time has almost no power over her. She still looks as beautiful as she did many years ago.
In the photo: Lev and Irina Leshchenko

The children of the Leshchenko family never appeared. A year after the wedding, doctors diagnosed Irina with a disappointing diagnosis: infertility. However, this did not destroy the family and warm relations. Lev Valeryanovich remains faithful to his wife to this day and is deeply convinced that his life has developed very happily and successfully. The artist believes that kindness and love are the engines of progress.

Lev Valeryanovich Leshchenko - operetta artist, pop singer, teacher, producer, people's artist of the RSFSR

Date of Birth: February 1, 1942
Place of Birth: Moscow, RSFSR, USSR
Zodiac sign: Aquarius

“Sometimes I go to the mirror early in the morning and look at myself and say: “Man, you look fine! Let's not give up!"

Biography of Lev Leshchenko

The future singer was born in Moscow, in the Sokolniki metropolitan area. Mom - Claudia Petrovna - had to give birth to him at home, since all maternity hospitals were closed. After all, it was the military year of 1942 - the height of the battle for Moscow, the enemy approached the city. Dad - Valeryan Andreevich - was rarely at home, worked in the NKVD, fought. The childhood of Leo and his sister Yulia was poor and hungry.

And in 1943, a tragedy happened: my mother died from an incomprehensible throat disease. The father was left alone. He was kind, honest, modest and correct, was a self-taught musician and could play various musical instruments.

In 1949, Valeryan Andreevich again married Marina Mikhailovna Sizova, whom Lev Valeryanovich called mother. Another girl was born - Valya.

In 1953, the family moved to Voykovskaya and Lev went to play basketball at the Dynamo club.

Music and Leshchenko

When little Leva was in the second grade, adults, having heard how beautifully he sings, were sent to the choir. And in the tenth grade, a baritone appeared. Already at the institute, his voice turned into a bass-baritone.

However, Lev failed twice in the entrance exams at GITIS for the operetta department. Between admissions, he worked for a year as a props at the Bolshoi Theater. After the second failure at the university, he got a job at the factory as a fitter. And then for the third time I decided to try my luck at GITIS.

And, it seems, he entered, but since there was no military department at the institute, he had to undergo army service in Germany - in a tank company, in 1961. Then one day they heard his singing at a concert and invited him to become a soloist of the Song and Dance Ensemble. Alexandrova. Thanks to this, Leshchenko's service was three whole years.

And so it turned out that only after the end of the service, Lev Leshchenko began to study at GITIS, and from the 2nd year he already worked at the Moscow Operetta Theater. But the teacher and singer Anna Kuzminichna Matyushina took him to the radio, where he became a soloist and worked for ten years from 1970 to 1980.

In addition, Lev Valeryanovich began touring with Mosconcert and Soyuzconcert throughout the country, even visited Kamchatka and Sakhalin. Leo made so good money at concerts that he was able to save up for a cooperative apartment in Moscow.

Of course, the first iconic songs of Lev Valeryanovich were: "White Birch" and "Don't Cry, Girl." And after he sang “For that guy” at the international song festival in Sopot, Poland, in 1972, he became famous throughout the Soviet Union.

And only then did “Victory Day” (which, by the way, was banned), and “Goodbye, Moscow”, and “Gravity of the Earth”, “Parents’ House”, “Farewell!” other.

In the perestroika and post-perestroika years, Leshchenko was no longer shown on television, they didn’t film at all for three years, but the singer continued to give concerts, went on tour all over the country - the audience still loved him.

During this period, Lev Valeryanovich taught at the Gnessin Russian Academy of Music at the department of pop-jazz singing, which somehow kept afloat socially, this work did not give money as such.

In the early 1990s, the singer opened his own furniture manufacturing business, however, it developed poorly and the company did not come out with a plus. Now this business is well run by Leshchenko's nephew.

The second round of the singer's popularity came in 1992, when Leshchenko gave an anniversary concert at the Rossiya State Central Concert Hall (where the singer's star was laid in 1999). Then television was invited, and the TV rating at the concert turned out to be crazy.

In 2017, he celebrated his 75th birthday at the State Kremlin Palace and sang his hits to the audience.

Now Lev Valeryanovich continues to work, give concerts and record several songs a year.

Lev Leshchenko and TV

The singer did not let himself be forgotten in the 2000s either: in 2011 he decided to take part in the Phantom of the Opera show on Channel One. And today he often starred in various programs of Channel One, Russia 1 and TNT.

In 2018, he made his debut as a mentor in the Voice. 60+".

Personal life

Lev Valeryanovich Leshchenko himself considers his first marriage to opera singer Alla Abdalova unsuccessful, mainly due to the constant touring of both spouses and creative ambitions. They met while studying at GITIS: Lev was in his third year, and Alla in his fifth year. A beautiful student, a student of Maria Petrovna Maksakova. Their marriage was preceded by several years of meetings. But family life did not work out.

Leshchenko met his second wife Irina Bagudina in Sochi:

“Ira and I met in 1976. We were introduced by Efim Zuperman, the director of Valery Obodzinsky. He met with a friend of Irina. We go into the elevator, and there are two beautiful girls standing there, Yefim introduced us here.

Lev Valeryanovich considers Irina a strict but fair critic. She is the very first listener of his songs.
They have been together for over 40 years now. The only thing that violates the harmony of their marriage is the absence of common children.

1. Lev Valeryanovich has been friends with his friend Vladimir Natanovich Vinokur for about 50 years and have never quarreled during this time. And they met while studying at GITIS.
2. Leshchenko decided to make a film called "Overcoming", even he had already written the script. But the idea has not materialized yet.
3. The singer wrote two autobiographical books: "Apology of Memory" "The Songs Chose Me".

Discography

1971 - Don't Cry Girl
1974 - Melt Water
1975 - "Lev Leshchenko"
1975 - "Songs of Yuri Saulsky"
1976 - "Songs of Soviet Composers"
1976 - "Lev Leshchenko"
1979 - "Lev Leshchenko"
1980 - "Gravity of the Earth"
1981 - "Parent's house"
1983 - "In the circle of friends"
1987 - "Something for the Soul"
1989 - “Beloved. Songs of Vyacheslav Rovny»
1992 - "White bird cherry"
1994 - “Lev Leshchenko sings for you”
1996 - "Fragrance of Love"
1996 - "Memories"
1999 - "World of Dreams"
2001 - "Simple Motif"
2002 - "The Best"
2004 - "Mood for Love"
2004 - "Song for Two"
2004 - "Territory of Love"
2006 - "Be Happy"
2007 - “Names for all time. Nightingale Grove»
2009 - "Songs of Alexandra Pakhmutova and Nikolai Dobronravov"
2014 - Anniversary Edition. Unknown songs"
2015 - "I'll give you"
2017 - “I was waiting for a meeting ...”
2018 - "My Last Love"

Lev Leshchenko is a legendary Soviet and Russian pop singer. His sincerity and penetration always evoke sympathy from the viewer. There is probably no person on earth who would speak unflatteringly about Lev Valeryanovich. All his songs, without exception, are bright and kind, soulful and humane.

Family and early years

Lev Leshchenko: biography, whose personal life is unique from birth. Lev Leshchenko (Leshchev - real name) was born in the most difficult war years, namely on February 1, 1942 in Moscow. At that time there was a fierce struggle for the capital. Accordingly, maternity hospitals were closed, and the future singer was born in his own home. Births were taken by neighbor grandmothers. Despite such difficult conditions of the first years of life, the boy survived and grew up, became a popular singer.

Parents

Leshchev Valeryan Andreevich- the father of the singer, was educated at the Kursk gymnasium, later was a farm worker. In the 1930s he was sent to Moscow, where he began working as an accountant at a factory. My father took part in the Soviet-Finnish war, worked in the NKVD. During the next war, he held one of the high positions - the deputy head of the cavalry. Valeryan Andreevich received many awards. He died in 2004 at the age of 99.

Claudia Petrovna The singer's mother died at the age of 28. The little boy was then only a year old. Lev Valeryanovich recalls that she died either from cancer or from tuberculosis, which struck her throat. At that wartime, there was no treatment and they could not save Claudia Petrovna.

Soon the whole Leshchenko family moved to live in Bogorodsk, where the military unit was located.

Five years after the death of his wife, Leo's father married Marina Mikhailovna Sizova. A year later, his sister Valya was born. Lev Valeryanovich remembers his stepmother with respect and warmth, noting her care, patience and kindness.

Childhood and youth

In childhood Lev, along with his father, often visited the military unit. Colleagues made fun of him and called him "the son of the regiment." The child grew up active, so the father assigned a foreman Fisenko to him. The soldiers gradually replaced his relatives and became a big family for Leo. By the age of 4, Lyovochka had learned to walk in formation, wore a military uniform and dined in a soldier's canteen.

From an early age, the boy loved to listen to Utyosov's songs and already dreamed of a future creative career. Although he still could not decide who he would be a singer or actor, so he began to attend the drama circle of the Pioneer Palace. A few months later, the vociferous boy performed at various city concerts.

So, having received a certificate of graduation from school, Leo tried to enter many theater universities but failed all the exams. After there was a long army service in Germany. And after the army there was a second attempt to enter GITIS, which was crowned with success.

The creative path of Lev Leshchenko

Rapidly soared up in the 60s, at this time he performs at the Moscow Operetta Theater. After some time, the talented performer became famous on the USSR State Radio and Television. His powerful voice was recognizable not only in the Soviet Union, but also beyond its borders.

Theatre

Lev Valeryanovich got a job at the Bolshoi Theater immediately after he failed the entrance exams. He was an ordinary stage worker. The singer recalls that life in his youth was very eventful, from morning to night he disappeared in the theater. During the day he worked, but in the evening he hurried to the gallery to enjoy the performance.

Actor's career began at GITIS when he began working at the Moscow Operetta Theater. The sinner in the play "Orpheus in Hell" - the first role in which there were two words - "let him warm up."

He realized the dream of serving the theater in 1990, Lev Leshchenko founded his own theater "Music Agency". Two years later, the theater received state status. For all the activities of the theater, many musical programs and productions have been released, some of them:

• "Military field romance";
• "10 years of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Russian Federation";
• Star and young.

Music

The singer's voice is unique, velvety and soft, with an impressive range. Therefore, not only the older, but also the younger generation listen to him.

Song career Leshchenko originates on February 13, 1970 at the USSR State Radio and Television. The next serious song contest was at the Sopot festival, where he won first place with the song "For that guy". The very next day, the aspiring singer woke up famous.

The song “Victory Day” by David Tukhmanov brought even greater fame to the performer. Leshchenko performed it at the victory parade on May 9, 1975. So many years have passed, but he considers this song a fundamental achievement in his career.

During this period, his repertoire is constantly updated with new hits, which eventually become golden hits. . Here is just a small part of Lev Valeryanovich's hits:

• "Motherland";
• "Nightingale Grove";
• "The attraction of the earth";
• "Don't cry, girl";
• "Parent's house";
• "We can't live without each other."

A special place is occupied by the song "Goodbye, Moscow, goodbye", which was performed by him at the closing of the Olympics in 1980. In the same year, Leshchenko was awarded the Order of Friendship of Peoples, and in 1983 he was awarded the title of People's Artist of the RSFSR. Leshchenko received the Order of the Badge of Honor in 1985. The nominal star of Lev Leshchenko appeared in 1999 on the Square of Stars.

The first real video appeared for the song "Old tram" (1985). But clips began to be shot regularly only in the 90s. So, the first duet clips were with Lada Dance for the song “Why didn’t you meet me?”, With the Megapolis group for the song “No need” and others.

Throughout his creative career, Lev Valeryanovich recorded more than 10 albums and records, performed many author's songs. The singer's work is dominated by patriotic and military songs. The most famous compositions of this subject:

• "May Waltz";
• "Victory Day";
• "Don't cry, girl";
• "Motherland".

Leshchenko also successfully teaches at the Russian Academy. Gnesins. Many of its graduates have become famous singers, such as Marina Khlebnikova, Katya Lel, Varvara and others.

Cinema

For the first time in a movie, the singer starred in 1967. The role was small, episodic in the film "Sofya Perovskaya" and "The Way to Saturn". Leshchenko received his first major role in the film “Looking for the Dawn” (1975).

In the TV series "Doomed to become a star" Leshchenko starred in 2005. And after 5 years, the comedy “Zaitsev, burn!” came out, where he also took part.

Lev Valeryanovich very often starred in special music programs, probably the most popular project with Lev Leshchenko's video is “Old songs about the main thing”.

Personal life

In 2017, the singer turned 75 years old. Lev Leshchenko cannot be called small, his height is 180 cm. If we talk about weight, various sources claim that the singer weighs 67 kg, but some indicate a weight of 90 kg. But looking at the photo of Lev Leshchenko, it is difficult to see extra pounds.

Despite his already considerable age, Leshchenko still teaches, writes songs, performs at various events that he also organizes. Today he actively cooperates with Lukoil, Gazprom and other giant companies. Vagit Yusufovich Alekperov is a close friend of the singer.

Spends a lot of time in sports: plays football and basketball, swims, runs. Singer honorary president of the basketball club "Triumph". Previously, he often took part in a football tournament between football and pop stars.

Leshchenko met his first love at the age of 34. The singer toured in Sochi, it was there in the elevator that he ran into Irina, who is 12 years younger than him. At that time, she was studying in Budapest and had no idea that she was a popular singer. The next day, Irina flew to Moscow, and Lev Valeryanovich went after her.

At the same time, he was married to Albina Abdalova, whom he met at GITIS. But gossip about the singer's adventures in Sochi reached her, and when he returned home, there were packed suitcases at the doorstep.

Soon after the meeting in Sochi Irina and Leo got married. Irina left the diplomatic service and devoted herself to her home and husband. Now she works at the Music Agency as an assistant director.

Unfortunately, the couple has no children. After a year of marriage, Irina was diagnosed with infertility. But even this ailment could not destroy their strong union.

Lev Valeryanovich in spite of everything considers himself a very lucky person and infinitely devoted to his wife. When he signs an autograph, he signs "I wish you well", he believes that only kindness and love makes people better.

Lev Leshchenko

Lev Leshchenko is a golden baritone of the Soviet era, a singer whose biography and personal life have always become a topic for discussion.

Biography

The biography and personal life of Lev Leshchenko strikes with rapid rises and unexpected turns - from the stage worker of the Bolshoi Theater to the popularly beloved artist, full holder of the Order of Merit for the Fatherland.

https://youtu.be/nHvkhKxUbt0

Childhood and family

Lev Leshchenko was born in 1942 in Moscow. He inherited the gift of singing from his grandfather Andrei Vasilyevich, a Ukrainian by nationality. Grandfather had been involved in music all his life: he sang in the choir, played string instruments.

But father Valeryan Andreevich, born in 1904, connected his life with service in the NKVD troops, rose to high ranks in the KGB structure, was awarded many times and, not having lived just a year before his centenary.

Lev Leshchenko lost his mother early, and when he was six years old, her stepmother replaced her.

Lev's earliest childhood passed among the army barracks, he was considered something like a "son of a regiment" and a brave foreman was involved in his upbringing. And then the father was not up to the son.

Lev Leshchenko in his youth and now

The pioneer years of Leshchenko passed in a painful search for his true destiny: he tried himself in the dramatic field, dreamed of the theater, sang in the choir. It was the choirmaster of the House of Pioneers who advised him to focus on singing. The then repertoire of Leshchenko consisted mainly of popular songs by Utyosov.

The first attempt to break into theater universities was unsuccessful. I had to learn other professions: stage worker, fitter. He was drafted into the army and, under the patronage of his father, ended up in the GSVG.

Lev Leshchenko in the army

In the army, he joined the song and dance ensemble of the 2nd Guards Tank Army in Germany. In this team, he gained the necessary experience, and after demobilization he managed to enter GITIS.

A talented student was noticed, and already in his second year he was invited to the troupe of the famous Operetta Theater. The singing career has begun.

Carier start

After four years of work in the operetta, Leshchenko goes to work at the State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company and dramatically changes the repertoire: arias from classical operas begin to sound in his performance.

In the early seventies, Leshchenko collaborated with the Silantiev and Rozhdestvensky orchestras, performing works by Frenkel and Rodion Shchedrin. The first big success comes in the 70th: Leshchenko becomes a laureate of the All-Union Variety Artists Competition for performing songs by Oscar Feltsman.

In the 72nd year, international recognition comes: Leshchenko performs with brilliance at the Golden Orpheus competitions in Bulgaria and Sopot in Poland.

Lev Leshchenko career start

The popularity of the singer in the 70s becomes incredible. Fans are seriously interested in the biography and personal life of Lev Leshchenko, and collect his photos.

Leshchenko becomes the main performer of songs on patriotic themes, travels around the entire Soviet Union and the countries of the socialist camp with concerts, and receives Lenin Komsomol awards.

Of course, Leshchenko's main song of those years is "Victory Day" by composer Tukhmanov. It was first performed in the 75th year, and since then the words "holiday with tears in the eyes" have become winged.

Lev Leshchenko - "Victory Day" 1975

The most important songs of Leshchenko from the repertoire of the 70s:

• "For that guy"
• "Love, Komsomol and Spring"
• "Thank you for the silence"
• "I love you, capital"
• "Nightingale Grove"
• "Don't cry girl"
• "Parent House"
• "The attraction of the earth" and others.

Music and films

The 80s were a time of great changes in the biography and personal life of Lev Leshchenko - this is life with a new young wife, and new heights in song and musical creativity.

Duet Leshchenko and Antsiferova "Goodbye, Moscow!" became the farewell song of the Moscow Olympics, and the song quickly gained worldwide fame, and Leshchenko's photo hit the pages of international publications.

During these years, Leshchenko tries himself in a new role: he creates VIA Spektr.

Duo Leshchenko and Antsiferova at the Olympics 80

In 1990, another significant milestone took place in the biography and personal life of singer Lev Leshchenko - he headed the Musical Agency Theater, which later received state status. The theater is engaged in concert activities and organization of tours, as well as the production of television films such as "Military Field Romance", "10 Years of the Russian Emergencies Ministry", "On the Wave of My Memory" and others.

During his creative activity, Leshchenko released 28 discs of various formats. They are invariably in demand, netizens download them in itunes.

In total, Lev Leshchenko took part in 15 clips, including together with popular young performers: the Disco Crash group, Lada Dance, Anzhelika Agurbash and others.

Lev Leshchenko and Angelica Agurbash

During his creative activity, Lev Leshchenko starred in ten films, sometimes in the role of a cameo, that is, performing himself. The most famous of these paintings are:

• "Path to Saturn"
• "Old songs about the main thing"
• "Destined to Become a Star"

Lev Leshchenko Honored and People's Artist of the RSFSR, winner of many song awards, full cavalier of the orders "For Merit to the Fatherland".

Lev Leshchenko in the movie "Doomed to Become a Star"

Personal life

The biography and personal life of Lev Leshchenko so happened that he has no children. With his first wife, singer Albina Abdalova, Leshchenko met at GITIS. They got married in 1966 and were married for ten years.

For many years, 1 wife of Lev Leshchenko lived in seclusion, without giving any interviews and without revealing the details of her biography and personal life, and only in recent years she broke her vow of silence.

Lev Leshchenko met his new young wife on tour in Sochi, when they rode together in the same elevator. Amazingly, then Irina had no idea who was in front of her, and mistook Leo for some respectable gangster.

Lev and Irina Leshchenko

Albina became aware of her husband's stormy romance, and she offered to leave. For the sake of his future young wife, Lev Leshchenko decided on a sharp turning point in his biography and personal life, and filed for divorce from his first wife.

Since 1978, Lev and Irina Leshchenko have been considered one of the strongest and most harmonious families in Russian show business. Undoubtedly, the wife of Lev Leshchenko, then a young woman born in 54, dreamed of children, but her biography and personal life were predetermined by the diagnosis of doctors - “infertility”. However, this did not affect their future relationship.

Irina Leshchenko is one of the ascetic wives. For the sake of her family and husband, she gave up her own career. Leshchenko himself says that she skillfully manages the entire household, and at home he turns into a “henpecked man”. For him, his beloved wife is "a person to whom there are no complaints."

Lev Leshchenko and his wife Irina

Irina Leshchenko in an interview said that the secret of a long family life is that she never humiliated her husband with jealousy. Yes, he still has a whole army of fans, yes, young, beautiful backing vocalists always perform with him on stage. But this is part of his job, being jealous of this is stupid.

Perhaps the most interesting fact in the life of Lev Leshchenko is his long-term friendship with Vladimir Vinokur.

They met 48 years ago, when the young Vinokur, who had just returned from the army, came to enter GITIS. Leshchenko played him, introducing himself as a member of the selection committee and forcing him to sing, dance and read fables in front of him. In the future, mutual friendly pranks became an integral part of their lives.

Lev Leshchenko with friend Vladimir Vinokur

Over the years, there have never been conflicts and quarrels between friends. Vinokur is admittedly the best parodist of Leshchenko, but he never took offense, but began to parody in response, and it turned out to be no less funny.

When Vinokur miraculously survived a car accident in Germany in 1992, Kobzon and Leshchenko were the first to come to his aid.

Actors Lev Leshchenko, Vladimir Vinokur, Kobzon

A few more not so widely known facts from the life of the singer:

• Leshchenko's first role on the stage of the Operetta Theater consisted of one phrase: "Let me warm up"
• Leshchenko's first entertainer at the concert was Gennady Khazanov.
• On the square of stars near the concert hall "Russia" there is a star of Lev Leshchenko.
• Leshchenko himself writes lyrics for some of his songs.
• He was the guest of honor at the rock festival KUBANA.
• In 2001 he published the book "Apology of Memory".
• Leshchenko is an active sports fan.
• Lev Leshchenko wrote the text of the Lukoil corporate anthem.
• Leshchenko taught at the Gnessin School, and among his students are Katya Lel, Varvara, Khlebnikova and other famous performers.
• Leshchenko gave more than ten thousand concerts during his career.

Lev Leshchenko on stage

Lev Leshchenko now

In 2016, Lev Leshchenko, quite unexpectedly for himself, became a participant in an international scandal. Democrats used his image in the US presidential race. In the commercial, Leshchenko was introduced to Russian billionaire Aras Agalarov, who sponsors Donald Trump's campaign headquarters. Leshchenko took this news, rather, with irony, and refused the idea of ​​suing American PR people.

In 2017, Lev Leshchenko celebrated his 75th birthday. In honor of this date, a big concert "Me and my friends" was held in the State Kremlin Palace. In addition to the hero of the day, Vinokur, Soso Pavliashvili and many other Russian pop stars took part in the concert.

Stas Mikhailov congratulates Lev Leshchenko on his jubilee

The hero of the day heard many warm congratulations, including from the top leadership of the country. Lev Leshchenko was called a symbol of the era, an integral part of the country's history, and his songs were called the cultural code of the generation.

Last year, the premiere of the film "The Last Hero" was held with great success, in the recording of the soundtrack for which Lev Leshchenko took part.

In 2018, Lev Leshchenko became a confidant of a candidate in the presidential elections in the Russian Federation.

Lev Leshchenko took part in the last mournful events - farewells to Dmitry Hvorostovsky and Vladimir Shainsky. About Hvorostovsky, he said bitterly that he again gathered a full house.

Lev Leshchenko at farewell to Vladimir Shainsky

The secret of the unfading popularity of Lev Leshchenko is worthy of a separate study. Excellent texture, unique voice timbre, acting charm played a role, but there were other singers with no less good data, but where are they now? Their names have sunk into oblivion, they are forgotten.

Meanwhile, those who are familiar with the era of the 70s and 80s firsthand know that the attitude towards the work of Lev Leshchenko was ambiguous. Many critical arrows were fired at him.

Lev Leshchenko was reproached for his overly pretentious manner of performance, for his passion for performing loyal songs in the spirit of "love, Komsomol and spring." Among the intelligentsia, he was called a singer of officialdom and, in a sense, the antipode of Vladimir Vysotsky.

Lev Leshchenko

“Great is seen from a distance”, and now, after the lapse of years, it becomes clear that many of these reproaches were unfair. Few people know that in 1979 Leshchenko made the film "Rehearsal before the performance", which was simply banned by censorship. Lapin, head of the State Radio and Television, called this work an ideological diversion. In the film, Leshchenko appeared as a guy in jeans, and Vyacheslav Dobrynin, then unknown to anyone, wrote the music in the power of disco-rock.

In those days, many popular artists and performers faced a dilemma: either behave correctly and do what the authorities expect from you, or get blacklisted and disappear from the radio and TV screens, lose the opportunity to perform from the stage. Not everyone became dissidents, and therefore they made certain compromises.

Lev Leshchenko and Vyacheslav Dobrynin

If Leshchenko had behaved differently, the fate of Valery Obodzinsky could have awaited him, who, despite all his enormous talent, was simply “turned off the oxygen”, and he disappeared from the field of view of listeners for decades.

In the end, the viewer and listener are always right. And Lev Leshchenko has a listener even now. His CDs are bought, there are no empty halls at his concerts. And, therefore, he found his way to the hearts of people. For a singer, there is no greater reward than being in demand among the audience.

Lev Leshchenko

It's no secret that vocal abilities inevitably decline with age, but Leshchenko still has a “hoo-hoo” voice, and he will easily give odds to many young performers. He looks great, will keep an excellent physical shape, moves well on stage. Sometimes it seems that the years simply have no power over him.

I would like to hope that the best song of Lev Valeryanovich has not yet been sung. There will be more new concerts, and new unforgettable hits. Leshchenko himself taught us that almost every song he performed became a hit.

https://youtu.be/G6WZjuzl7Es