Tell us about the song with which you will go to Eurovision 2016. What will you sing about, what idea do you want to convey to the audience from more than forty countries?
The song is called You Are the Only One, and an international team of songwriters worked on it. Among them are the famous Greek composer Dimitris Kontopoulos, whose songs have repeatedly entered the top 3 Eurovision of different years, the singer, composer and producer Philip Kirkorov, as well as the authors of the text - the Englishman John Ballard and Ralph Charlie from Sweden.
In my opinion, this song has some incredible magnetism and power. The first time I heard it, I was amazed by the emotional intensity, power and its meaning. Actually, it was this song that influenced the fact that I eventually accepted the offer of the leadership of the All-Russian State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company to participate in Eurovision this year. A song about love, and the message there is very simple, but very important: each of us is the only one - unique and inimitable, and we must remember this.
You have already introduced those with whom you will take the stage of the Stockholm Ericsson Globe. Most of them are Swedish vocalists and dancers. Why was this choice made?
We have gathered a large and friendly international team of professionals from Russia, Greece, Sweden and England, because music unites. All dancers and vocalists already have experience of working at Eurovision, and this is certainly a big plus. We are all determined to work productively, to present the song and number in the most worthy way and represent Russia at this competition.
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In December 2015, you celebrated the tenth anniversary of your solo career. Don't regret having to complete the Smash story!! and go on stage alone?
Smash!! already far in the past. It was a wonderful period in my creative life, a great start, and I always speak of this group with gratitude and warmth. Just at some point, Vlad and I outgrew the boundaries of the group and decided to each go our own way. And now for more than ten years I have been quite comfortable working solo.
It seems that after the start of your solo career, they tried to reunite you with Vlad Topalov - just for the sake of Eurovision. Now reunion of your duet - at least in principle - is possible?
Yes, Channel One had such an idea about nine years ago, but I refused. And now I don’t see the point in reuniting, Vlad and I have moved too far away from each other both creatively and in a friendly way. Everyone has his own path.
You tried to get to Eurovision several times...
It is a myth. In fact, I participated in the selection only once - in 2008. Since then, every year my name appeared in the lists of applicants, although I did not send any applications and refused the offer to participate. And only now, eight years later, I agreed, because I felt that a very strong team had gathered and there was a song that hooked me.
The team that works with me has a lot of experience in Eurovision, and from the first meeting they told me that this competition will give me a lot as a creative person and that this is an absolutely unforgettable adventure. Now, after three months of preparation, I understand that they were absolutely right. Now I am not thinking about the final result and the place that I will take, it will be made up of too many factors, but my main task is to speak with dignity and represent the country in the most professional way.
It seems to me that a good song is at the head of everything. I do not think that at the moment of voting and choosing their favorite, the viewer remembers who won last year - a man or a woman.
Representatives of our country have been subjected to certain pressure over the past two years due to political events, although Eurovision traditionally eschews politics. Are you ready for this kind of pressure? What will you say to Western journalists if they ask you relevant questions?
There are always difficulties and peculiarities, at any international competition, I am ready for them. As for questions about politics, it seems to me that it is not entirely correct to discuss politics with a musician who understands little about it and can hardly comment and be responsible for the actions of politicians in a particular country. After all, I'm going to a song contest, not to a political and economic forum.
Ukraine this year sends the singer Jamala to the competition with the composition "1944", dedicated to the deportation of the Crimean Tatars. We heard calls to almost turn to the European Broadcasting Union with a demand to ban it, and the St. Petersburg deputy Vitaly Milonov suggested sending one representative from Poland and Russia to the competition with a song about the Volyn massacre. In your opinion, is it worth reacting to the Ukrainian choice, even if it seems controversial to someone?
It seems to me that I have no right to discuss or condemn any of the participating countries, because I myself am a participant and we are all on an equal footing. Each country independently chooses a song and an artist, and we have no right to criticize this. Only the organizers of the competition can decide not to allow one of the participants if serious violations of the rules are revealed.
Smash- Russian pop group that existed in 2000-2006.
Story
In 2000, Sergey Lazarev, together with his friend and longtime colleague in Fidget, Vlad Topalov, became a member of the Smash musical project. The idea to make their own duet project came to the guys during their work in the Neposedy ensemble. The idea turned into concrete execution when Vlad's mother invited the boys to record together a composition from the musical Notre-Dame de Paris as a birthday present for dad.
In April 2002, Smash filmed their first video for the song "Should have loved you more". And in August of the same year, the group won first place in the competition for young performers in Jurmala "New Wave".
In March 2003, the first album of the Smash group called Freeway was released, which became popular not only in Russia and the CIS countries, but also in Southeast Asia. The album was certified platinum and went through two re-releases.
In 2003 and 2004, Smash applied for participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. After the national selection in 2004, information was leaked to the media (including from members of the Tatu group) that it was Smash who had been elected to represent Russia, but ORT denied this statement at the last moment.
Sergey Lazarev: “They promised that we would go in 2003 with the hit Talk To Me. We canceled several tours, tuned in - then it was decided to send Tata, then they were at the peak of popularity in Europe. Now the same story. We changed our concert schedules, planned to “bring” a new song “Obsession” there, but… everything turned out strangely. Julia Savicheva was a complete surprise. Well. The one who sent it knew better.”
In December 2004, the last album of the group "Smash" was released under the name "2nite". Immediately after the release of the album, information appeared that the duet had broken up. The reason for this was the departure from the team of Sergei Lazarev. Leaving Smash, Lazarev promised to fulfill his obligations under the contract with Universal, according to which the group members (represented by Vlad Topalov and Sergey Lazarev) pledged to release three albums. By the time the duo broke up, two records had already been released by Sergey and Vlad together. After some time, Sergei refused to fulfill the terms of the contract. Therefore, the third disc had to be recorded by Vlad alone. All the songs included in this album were re-recorded by Topalov, after the departure of Sergei Lazarev. It was doubly hard for Vlad to work on this record, since his father left work on Smash. Mikhail handed over the direct management of the group to Ego Works in the summer of 2005.
Sergey Lazarev and Vlad Topalov realized on November 16 at Crocus City Hall the old dream of their fans and fans - the singers reunited for one evening to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Smash group.
Many years later, Vlad and Sergey performed together as in the good old 2000s. Forgetting old grievances, the former members of the group, or rather the duet, "Smash", decided to celebrate the anniversary of the team to which they gave their youth and which gave them the coveted "ticket" to the big show business as solo performers.
The festive reunion took place at the first solo concert of Sergei Lazarev in Moscow. The artist presented the program "Heartbeat" to the public, and for all fans of the main Lazerboy of the country, the appearance of Vlad Topalov on stage was a big but pleasant shock.
“This year, the Smash group turned ten years old. These emotions covered me with my head and therefore I would like to recall the work of this group, ”said Sergey Lazarev.
Having performed an accapella "cut" from operas, the hero of the occasion announced that "only today and only for the audience in honor of the group's anniversary, he will perform together with Vlad Topalov."
Together with Vlad, Sergey performed the "golden" hits of the Smash group - the song "Prayer" and the English-language single "Freeway". Of course, the audience was delighted with the surprise and, despite the fact that many years have passed since the rotation of the group, the audience knew the lyrics by heart.
It is worth noting that the creator of the popular duo, the father of Vlad Topalov, producer and businessman Mikhail Topalov, came on stage to congratulate Sergey with a bouquet of flowers.
After two duet songs, Vlad left the stage, wishing Sergey new creative achievements. “I am incredibly and sincerely proud of you. You have been going to this evening and this concert for many years. You are now standing on this stage, performing in front of this hall, and you really deserve the love of your audience. I am sure you will achieve a lot more,” said Vlad Topalov.
Recall that the Smash group existed from 2001 to 2005. During this time, the team released such hits as "Belle", "Freeway", "Talk To Me", "Prayer" and "Obsession". The group has dozens of music awards, as well as two full-fledged albums - "Freeway" and "2nite".
Duet (2001-2005)
- 2001-2005: Sergey Lazarev, Vladislav Topalov
Albums
- 2003 - Freeway. Photo and design: Studio..others..
- 2003 - Reissue. Photo and design: Studio..others..
- 2004 - 2nite. Photo and design: Studio..others..
Clips
- Belle (Freeway)
- Talk To Me (Freeway)
- Freeway (Freeway)
- The One To Cry (Freeway)
- Faith (2nite)
Singles
- Should Have Loved You More (Freeway)
- Belle (Freeway). Photo and design: Studio..others..
- Talk To Me (Freeway)
- Freeway (Freeway)
- Faith (2nite)
- In the teen series The Elephant and the Princess, the main character's group is also called Smash.
- The similarity of the song "Talk to me" performed by Smash to the song "Talk to me" by the Taiwanese group Fahrenheit is noted. However, the song Smash was released in 2003, and Fahrenheit did not appear in public until 2005.
Achievements
- 2002 - first place in the international music competition "New Wave" (Latvia)
- 2003 - Muz-TV award in the categories "Discovery of the Year" and "Best European Sound"
- 2003 - "Euro-hit" award of radio "Europe plus"
- 2003 - Golden Gramophone, Stopud Hit, LOVE RADIO, Sound Track awards
- 2004 - awards "Golden Gramophone", "Stopudov Hit", "Sound Track"
- 2004 - TV channel MTV Russia Music Awards in the nomination "Best Pop Project"
- 2005 - Golden Bee Award in the Best Group nomination
The collapse of the once popular duo Smash!! put an end to the friendship between Sergei Lazarev and Vlad Topalov. At least once they performed together then, but, according to rumors, they don’t talk outside the stage now.
Sergey and Vlad were asked the same questions separately in order to better understand how the former “smash” soloists are similar and how they differ.
Despite the fact that you sang in professional groups from childhood, everyone had attempts to “turn aside”: at the age of 16, Sergei opened the doors of the Moscow Art Theater School and became a certified actor, Vlad, after studying for 3 years in England, entered the law faculty of the Russian State University for the Humanities . What are such throwings connected with?
Lazarev: - And since childhood, I saw myself not only as a singer, - Sergey answers "MK". - And theatrical education is a good base, the foundation for an artistic career: both singing and acting. After all, these are classes in stage speech, and a literary base. And vocals can be practiced separately, for example, by inviting teachers. And for this it is not at all necessary to go to a music school. Yes, I do not play a musical instrument, but if I want to, I will do it.
Topalov: - I wouldn't say it's throwing. In childhood, we all try ourselves, we are looking for. I was sent to England because my parents always wanted me to be fluent in English. Ayuristic education is always useful.
Do you see yourself in the future only as singers?
Lazarev: - It is very important for me that in addition to my singing career, I also play in the theater. And when I received the “Seagull” award in two categories at once - “Breakthrough of the Year” and “Best Love Scene” - the play “Borrow the Tenor”, at first I didn’t even believe it. Then it seemed that they would not give me two statuettes. But when the second one was awarded for the “breakthrough of the year”, I was shocked. I thought it was my complete triumph. After all, directors, theater critics knew me more as a pop singer. But justice prevailed. And I showed that I am not only a pop performer, that four years at the theater institute were not in vain, I did not let down my teachers who believed in me.
Topalov: - Music takes almost all the time. I live it.
You both once said - though in different interviews - that you dream of playing at Wembley Stadium. Is Russia not enough anymore?
Lazarev: - No, Russia is definitely not enough for me. But understand correctly, I need Russia, just “Wembley” means some kind of international show, a huge number of Western fans. And I want a big colorful world tour. In general, now I dream of a good international career.
Topalov: - I don't remember that I said that. Dreaming is not bad. The main thing is that there is something to strive for.
How do you remember the time spent in Fidget?
Lazarev: - (Laughs.) Of course, bright. One such very bright multicolor stripe. It was childhood! Such a truly working, adult childhood. I've been in the real business since childhood. And I really liked it.
Topalov: - Cheerful and kind.
It's no secret that the former "fidgets" still continue to communicate...
Lazarev: - We often meet with Volkova. And she was one of the first to introduce me to her young man - together with Parviz, Yulia came to the first shooting of the “Circus with the Stars” program. We communicate less and less with Lenka Katina.
Topalov: - Yes, we communicate. But very rarely. Everyone has things to do. Everyone lives their own life.
Musically, do you criticize each other with the Tatu girls, give advice?
Lazarev: - We can suggest something, express our opinion. But Julia perfectly understands that I am a professional in my field, and I, in turn, understand that she is in the music of the dock. Therefore, from what I tell her, roughly speaking, nothing will fundamentally change. In general, we express our friendly opinions to each other and often argue.
Topalov: - No.
Can we say that you follow the careers of your girlfriends in a friendly way?
Lazarev: - We are watching one way or another, of course. (Smiling.)
Topalov: - Honestly, I don't follow!
Have you tried to sing a duet with Yulia?
Lazarev: - We often sing a duet with her, but only in karaoke. (Laughs.)
Topalov: - No, I haven't tried it. And there was a thought.
Smash!! hit hard in 2002, and you suddenly became famous. Why then, at the very peak of the duet's popularity, did they decide to leave? And the parting was not very friendly, what is the reason?
Lazarev: - Everyone has their own truth. We've made a lot of mistakes. You can recognize them for me, but it was also Vladik’s fault, because of his dad. In short, everyone was to blame! (Laughs.) I think that you can’t blame everything on someone alone ... There was just an internal explosion that did not allow us to continue working together. Unfortunately, this happened in public. And this is a big minus for us. There was a lot of dirt on the pages of newspapers, there were many invented things. By and large, everything that was written about the reasons for the collapse of Smash !! is an invention of journalists. And they showed me from the bad side, and Vlada. Many ridiculous reasons for my departure were discussed. But I believe that already at that moment our ceiling was visible. The fact is that we have matured very quickly, turning from kids into young people. And everyone's interests have changed.
Topalov: - All this is in the past. This question has been closed for me for a long time.
They say you haven't even spoken to each other for a long time...
Lazarev: - It's just that everyone needed to build their own world. And we distanced ourselves from each other. No wonder they say that in order to become independent, you need to leave your parents. Only then will you understand what independent living is. In our case, it was also necessary to understand your independence, to what extent you can or cannot work solo. To tell the truth, it was cruel enough for us not to communicate with each other for some time. But this helped everyone “acclimatize” faster in the situation of solo work. Time has passed, somehow it worked out for Vladik, somehow for me, so the relationship is now calm.
We really have nothing to share. Everything is already divided. There is no enmity. Conflict exhausted!
Topalov: - Each of us has our own way. And I don't want to remember the past.
Do you follow each other's successes and adversities?
Lazarev: - And how can I not follow, this is a person close to me. That Yulia and Vladik are friends since childhood. But I can’t say that I’m specifically typing his name in an Internet search engine: “What is happening with Vladik there?” If I see materials with him, I read them.
Topalov: - No.
How do you feel about various ridiculous rumors about yourself?
Lazarev: - People are always interested in loud headlines. We fall for it, we buy the publication, and there is nothing about it in the article. “Sounding” caps are placed so that people buy the publication so that the circulation is larger. We still have nothing, but in America it has already become prohibitive. It's a shame that it is very easy to trample a person into the dirt, nullify his work, pass off his unprofessional opinion as an axiom. For example, I recently read: “Lazarev sings badly, and everyone agreed with this!” The loss is small, but a certain label has already been hung.
Then it is very difficult to get rid of them. But the fate of the artist sometimes depends on the fantasies of journalists.
Topalov: - No way.
As I understand it, now you are already reacting to such materials calmly ...
Lazarev: - Here is a story that happened after my performance with a panther at the Circus with Stars show.
One journalist wrote that the cat was without teeth, claws, was under the influence of sleeping pills. And in general, she is not a wild beast, but a tame pet. Say, my work with her is a hack, they say, anyone present could repeat my number in the arena with her. That's why I wanted to fill this man in the face. Because such things offend my work. For three months I went every day to rehearsals for this panther. The work was hard. And you can’t just take it and unfoundedly nullify it with the words “anyone can do it!”.
In the same way, some critics write, after listening to a few songs of the album or not putting it in the player at all, that the artist's disc is full of shit. There were many times when a person wrote about my concerts without coming to them. Or they wrote about my fans, based on the generalized image of a fan in general. They say they are crazy and stupid, and Lazarev is the idol of crazy youngsters. And if so, then what can these girls do, according to the conjectures of the scribbler? Just throw panties and bras on stage.
By the way, about panties. It was the same “yellow” journalists who put it in the subheading that my fans go to the performance and also throw bras and panties, only now on the theater stage. What the hell?! And already a certain attitude among theatrical people develops: “Oh, I won’t go to this performance. There, crazy Lazarev fans are throwing their underwear on the stage!” Maybe some have exactly such fans, but you can’t treat everyone with the same brush. So there are a lot of rumors about me. (Chuckles.)
Topalov: - I am always calm!
At one time, you kind of wanted to go to Eurovision, but now?
Lazarev: - About three years ago I really wanted to go there. Now it's burned out. There is no inner desire. The same Bilan last year, for example, he wildly WANTED to go there! His eyes were on fire too! Dai at that time, the young man was not doing well with his career. Perhaps there was a real chance to “give with all the dope”! Well, he did, in fact. (Laughs.) The result is obvious! He was lucky, he performed well, so now he has no problems. As for me, I have already gone the other way. And I don't quite like the level of the competition. On the other hand, they say to me: “Come on, defend the honor of Russia!” I don’t know if Russia needs this competition? And if it does, then why? Unclear.
Topalov: - I didn't even think about it.
Is it true they say that you guys are funny, like jokes and practical jokes?
Lazarev: - I like to make fun, laugh at someone, but in a kind way, without offending people.
Topalov: - Yes, it is. A smile helps to live and cope with difficulties.
And the appointed date of Lazarev's wedding is also a good joke? And you, Vlad, also kind of named the exact date?
Lazarev: - I said that everyone loves loud headlines: “Lazarev appointed a wedding day!” But I just said in an interview that maybe in six years, when I'm thirty, I'll be ready to consider some candidates more specifically. But it was half a joke, half a laugh.
Topalov: - I hear it for the first time.
Now, after the lapse of time, you, Sergey, do not regret that you agreed to participate in the project “Circus with the Stars”? And why was Vlad never seen in similar projects?
Lazarev: - No way! I'm glad that I agreed and that everything worked out. I really liked everything, but now I don’t know how to apply in life the skills that I got in the circus. It is unlikely that this can somehow be used.
Topalov: - Unfortunately, I did not take part in the TV show “Stars on Ice”, there was no time at all.
Busy schedule, so it was not possible to participate. I didn't participate in boxing either. He prepared, but he never entered the ring. I did not find an enemy. I continue to do noboxing to this day.
If you are invited to such projects, would you agree?
Lazarev: - In such - this is already commonplace. This should interest me. But if I am offered tomorrow to participate in a new project, I will refuse, no matter how interesting it may be. Two projects in a year is a lot. Yes, and marvel at your professional activities! (Laughs.) It is clear that for people I opened up in a different role, on the other hand, but the main thing for me is the stage.
Topalov: - I'm really looking forward to the offer.
Participation in such events is an adventure. Is adventurism in your blood?
Lazarev: - Yes, I'm interested in plunging into the unknown from time to time. The main thing is that the organizers do not deceive, so that the action really captures. These are new emotions, impressions, which are then manifested in creativity! And although in life I think more with my head before doing something, I still agree to such adventures.
Topalov: - No. I'm just curious. And I always do what I enjoy.
But after all, such ventures are associated with injuries that can interfere with a career?
Lazarev: - That's all there is. But injuries always happen when it comes to sports. It doesn't scare me. Injuries were on ice, and here, in the circus. And all just because in a short time it is simply impossible to learn how to do everything professionally.
Topalov: - You should always take risks.
And finally, answer, friends, that's the question. Here you are - professional singers, in the sense that you earn a living by doing this. Do you sing in karaoke? Can you be seen in any club singing your own hits?
Lazarev: - In the circus, I had a party in a cafe. There were probably fifty people. There was simply no strength for a certain skit. I just wanted to relax, eat, drink, relax. The only thing we sang karaoke. But it ended quickly. Karaoke always have a limited repertoire. And he clearly did not fit our mood.
Yes, I made circus artists sing songs. I just thought that lately I have been constantly immersed in their profession, and then let them try to be in my shoes! But they were kind of shy at first, so the songs ended and the dancing began. They played until the morning. But do not sing your songs in any case.
Topalov: - I'm not a fan of this kind of rest. Sometimes I go out with friends. But I don't sing my own songs.
In the last decade, the annual European song contest has been in the center of attention of all residents of our state. In the spring, all the media and ordinary citizens, together with them, begin a heated discussion of the future vocal competition, in May everyone freezes in anticipation, but after the final for a few more months, the whole country is excited by the results. How many of our talented performers in history have performed at the Eurovision Song Contest? The list of participants from Russia, all successful and not so good numbers will be described below.
Historical reference
For the first time, Eurovision was held in Switzerland, and its goal was to unite Western Europe, trying to recover from the war. Despite the fact that the European vocal competition dates back to 1956, the Soviet Union, for obvious political reasons, never sent its representatives there. The competition gained popularity and became one of the most important annual events for Europe. In 1991, the Union collapsed, and Russia, like other former republics, began to establish ties with the West, so the presence of representatives of our country at such an event was only a matter of time. Eurovision participants from Russia appeared at the contest already in 1994.
Getting started and some stats
The first test of the pen was a fairly well-known blues performer who performed under the pseudonym Judith. Maria was chosen for such an honorable mission among 10 applicants for "Program A". Her song "The Eternal Wanderer" took ninth place at the competition in Dublin, the start was not the worst, at least she got into the top ten, which the Eurovision participants from Russia could not achieve until 2000. Although there were more than enough attempts. Since 1994, only three times our country has not participated in the final, but all three times in the 90s. Eurovision participants from Russia have reached the final 19 times in all the years to the present. In 1996, Andrei Kosinsky could not pass the qualifying round to the final, in 1998 he was not allowed in due to a low rating, and ORT did not broadcast the competition live, which caused a second refusal in 1999. The channel was able to draw conclusions, in 2000 our country triumphantly returned to the European singing competition.
"Eurovision". Russia: participants and places in the 90s
After a rather good start at ORT, they decided that venerable performers, well known in their homeland, should represent our state at the European competition. Therefore, in 1995, the future pop king of the national stage, Philip Kirkorov, recovered again to Dublin. According to the artist, he had only 10 days to prepare after he was taken aback by the news. This, perhaps, can explain the failure of the song "Lullaby for the Volcano", which took 17th place. Or maybe the reason was the fact, revealed a little later, that the composition was not original, like most of Kirkorov's repertoire. But, one way or another, after his failure, Philip repeatedly helped many Russian and not only young performers at Eurovision. And the prima donna of the national stage with the song of the same name Alla Pugacheva in 1997 was able to take only 15th place, and again in Dublin. Europe could not understand and accept the manner and style of Alla Borisovna, so her performance can be safely considered a failure.
Shock five-year plan
After a short two-year break, our country triumphantly returned to Eurovision. The list of participants from Russia in the first years of the new millennium was very diverse. In 2000, a young Tatar woman went to Stockholm, who conquered Europe with her song "Solo" and thus earned the first silver for Russia. The well-deserved second place in the competition became a real sensation, and Alsou became a national heroine. Intoxicated with success, in 2001 ORT producers sent a rather extraordinary rock band Mumiy Troll to Copenhagen. Not everyone could understand him in his homeland, and even more so the Europeans could not, so the group took only 12th place. The song of the boy band "Prime Minister" called "Girl from the North" was sung by the whole country, and its English-language counterpart did not resonate with Europeans in 2002 in Tallinn. Probably, the reason for the 10th place was also too much excitement of the performers. The most controversial among those who were sent to Eurovision by Russia, participants of all seasons, are the infamous Tatu girl group. Incredibly, in 2003 in Riga it was they who took 3rd place with the song "Do not believe, do not be afraid, do not ask", thereby bringing the first bronze to their country. For the next two years, the Eurovision participants from Russia were graduates of the Star Factory. In Turkish Istanbul in 2004, Yulia Savicheva performed very worthily. But difficult choreographic steps prevented the artist from focusing entirely on vocals, and the result was 12th place. The performance in Kyiv in 2005 by Natasha Podolskaya was the biggest failure since the time of Pugacheva, because the "manufacturer" also took 15th place.
Light streak and real victory
Be that as it may, domestic artists continued to perform at Eurovision. Participants from Russia for 10 years were very different. From popular stars to unknown bands. And their age ranged from young stars of a children's song contest to representatives of the oldest generation. In 2006, the conqueror of young hearts, Dima Bilan, went to Athens for a vocal competition. His number was interesting, and the song would definitely have won, if not for the outrageous Finnish rock band Lordi, who overtook Dima. Europe, fed up with standard good numbers, craved spectacles, so Bilan was in second place. Nevertheless, it was another silver in the piggy bank of our country. What turned out to be symbolic was the little-known female pop group "Silver" with "Song No. 1", which went to conquer European audiences in Helsinki in 2007, but received, however, bronze, although third place turned out to be a very unexpected, but pleasant result. But 2008 was a real sensation for Russia, because he promised to return to Eurovision and win, he kept his word. A delightful number, accompanied by violinist Edwin Marton and figure skating star Evgeny Plushenko, as well as a stunning vocalist's voice and a touching song did their job - they conquered Europe, and Russia took first place.
Fall from the top of the pedestal
The Eurovision participants from Russia for all the years have been representatives of the Federation itself, so for many it still remains a mystery how in 2009 a native of Ukraine passed the qualifying round and represented our country at the competition in Moscow. The song "Mamo" in Ukrainian and Russian took only 11th place, which was a crushing defeat after the previous victory. The next Eurovision participants from Russia, the new and unknown to a wide audience, the Musical Group of Peter Nalich, again took 11th place in Norway in 2010, probably because the song was frankly boring and clearly not in the format of a European competition. Such a deafening failure, like that of Alexei Vorobyov in 2011 in Germany, the Russian representatives have not had since the 90s. The artist took 16th place, and even several high-profile scandals were associated with his name.
Unexpected decisions
After three failures in a row, the producers had to come up with something obviously new and unusual, and they decided to make the most unexpected move that Russia had ever made at the Eurovision Song Contest. The participants of all seasons were more or less young artists, which cannot be said about the Buranovsky Babushkas that hit Europe in 2012. The fervent team of Russian old women took second place, which no one could have guessed for sure. And in 2013, Russia sent a young and talented winner of the Voice project to the competition, who took 5th place and entered the top ten, which was also a pretty good result.
Prejudice
All participants of the Eurovision Song Contest in Russia over the past 10 years have not experienced such pressure as the domestic representatives of 2014 and 2015 due to the aggravation of the situation in the world and the general political situation. Despite the fact that music is out of politics, Europe perceives our country in the last two years more hostile. Perhaps this factor influenced the fact that the Tolmacheva sisters last year took only 9th place at the Eurovision Song Contest in Denmark, although their song and number as a whole were quite strong. But Polina Gagarina this year managed to get silver and take second place, which the whole country was very proud of, because now they are especially worried about their representatives in Russia.
Vlad Topalov's father and group producer Mikhail Topalov explained Lazarev's departure simply: supposedly Sergey suffers from "star disease" and demands to pay him more money. But Lazarev has his own point of view regarding what is happening.
"It's just that soloist Sergei Lazarev no longer works with the band for the banal reason of skipping a concert and in full compliance with the Labor Code," Topalov Sr. explained at the time. live" music and started rehearsing a new solo program..."
The fact is that Mikhail Topalov considers all instrumentalists and vocalists to be an integral part of the group and generally avoids the term "duet", writes Moskovsky Komsomolets.
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"Everywhere in the world they call it 'session musicians,'" Sergei Lazarev objects. "These artists did not even participate in the recording of the album. What is Smash!!? Smash!! has always been a duet, and not just a duet of boys, but a duet of specific people. There can't be Smash!! with Vlad and Petya or with Serezha and Petya. Smash!! is Vlad and Sergey."
Sergei categorically disagrees with Topalov's words about "star disease", indiscipline and demands to raise wages. "That's not true," he says. "It wasn't like that."
Lazarev believes that "because of Topalov Sr.'s policy" in Smash!! there was a "suffocating atmosphere, far from creativity and creativity."
“The spiritual and family cohesion that has always distinguished our relationship from the very beginning, when Vlad and I signed up Belle for his dad’s birthday, began to be lost,” Sergey says. “Probably, this happened after Topalov decided to say goodbye to producer Simon, whom recommended by our publishers, and take everything into their own hands. Simon kept saying to Vlad's dad: "Misha, don't kill the creativity in them, they have something to say." Simon used to make Wham! and understood very well which way he should go Smash!!. However, as a result, a bunch of people appeared on the stage, and the aura of Smash!! began to disappear. Live sound is very cool, but the atmosphere is more important. We argued, clashed, we were called jerks who do not understand anything and do not really understand anything done for Smash!!. At some point, I began to feel an openly hostile, alienated attitude towards myself ... I did not demand any fees, I did not skip anything. It’s just that in Kiev, Vlad’s father threw a newspaper in my face, where some -something rumors about my supposedly solo project and personal life, rudely cursed in the presence of many people and hit me in the face. We returned to Moscow. I expected from Topalov not exactly an apology, but at least a conversation. There was a week of silence, and it became clear that most likely they did not need me. And then I found out that I had already been fired. I think now I will definitely start work on a solo album, go back to the theater for one or two productions. If necessary, I will record and shoot a video for Smash!!. But the group will no longer be a priority for me."
xxx
mari
2006-02-18 08:07:12
sergej ti prosto klasny paren
Well done!
Lychiano
2006-04-06 23:30:09
Well done Seryozha. If everything happened as you said, then I am completely on your side, since I myself got into such a situation. I am a journalist by profession and I would really like to describe the breakup of the group from my point of view. I fully support your decision to work solo and wish you great success in this. I am completely on your side. I would just like to know Vlad's opinion about your departure from the group, otherwise the question arises: is it really so many years of working with you, having such a stunning success and friendship, he remained indifferent to this situation or could not appreciate the loss of such a person like you. Still, the producer of the group is Vlad's father ...
