Igor Talkov facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Igor Talkov
Игорь Тальков |
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Talkov in 1991
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Igor Vladimirovich Talkov |
| Born | 4 November 1956 Gretsovka, Shchyokinsky District, Tula Oblast, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union |
| Died | 6 October 1991 (aged 34) Saint Petersburg, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union |
| Genres |
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| Occupation(s) | singer-songwriter, film actor |
| Instruments |
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| Years active | 1973–1991 |
Igor Talkov (Russian: И́горь Влади́мирович Талько́в; born November 4, 1956 – died October 6, 1991) was a famous Russian rock singer, songwriter, and actor. He became very popular in 1987 with his hit song Clean Ponds, which was written by David Tukhmanov.
Igor Talkov's songs often talked about love. But many of his songs also shared his thoughts about the government of the Soviet Union. He wanted to see changes in his country. Sadly, Igor Talkov's life ended tragically in 1991.
Contents
Early Life and Music Career
Igor Talkov was born in a place called Gretsovka, in the Tula Oblast region of the Soviet Union. This was on November 4, 1956. He spent his childhood growing up in the town of Shchyokino.
After serving in the army, Igor began his music career. He started by singing in restaurants in big cities like Moscow and Sochi. In 1986, he joined a music group called Electroclub. His big moment came in 1987 with the song Clean Ponds. This song quickly became a huge success.
While many people loved his songs about love, Igor Talkov also wrote music with strong messages. He often sang about his feelings regarding the Soviet government. He believed that the country needed real changes. Because of his outspoken songs, the government wasn't always happy with him. Even though he was a very popular singer across the Soviet Union, he lived in a small apartment. People even said he wrote his songs "on top of the washing machine in the bathroom."
Igor was not satisfied with the changes happening in the country, known as Perestroika. He felt it was just the same old system with a new name. In his later songs, he even made fun of these changes, saying they were not real. Igor loved reading about Russian history from before the revolution. This history gave him many ideas for his songs. He even promised at his last concert that he could prove his song lyrics with historical facts.
Acting and Musical Style
Igor Talkov also had a short career in movies. He acted in films like Behind the Last Line and Tsar Ivan the Terrible. However, he didn't like the film Tsar Ivan the Terrible. He even apologized to the audience for being in it. Because he refused to finish recording his voice for the movie, another actor had to speak his character's lines.
Igor Talkov's songs also shared a lot with a style of music called Russian bard music. This type of music often features singers who write and perform their own songs, usually with a guitar.
His Final Days
According to Igor Talkov's wife, Tatyana, and his son, Igor Jr., the singer received threats in the months before he passed away.
On October 6, 1991, Igor Talkov was at a concert in St. Petersburg. Many performers were there. Another singer, Aziza, asked Igor if he could perform earlier. She wasn't ready for her own turn yet. Igor Talkov then called a security guard, Igor Malakhov, to his dressing room. They had an argument.
After this, Igor Malakhov was escorted out of the dressing room by Talkov and two guards. Igor Talkov started getting ready for his performance. But a few minutes later, his manager, Valery Shlyafman, ran to him. He shouted that Malakhov had a gun.
Igor Talkov quickly grabbed a gas pistol he carried for safety. He ran into the hallway. Seeing his guards facing Malakhov with a gun, Talkov fired three shots at Malakhov. Malakhov ducked, and the guards tried to stop him. Malakhov then fired two shots, but they missed. The guards began to fight Malakhov, and he dropped his gun. Moments later, another shot was fired. This shot hit Igor Talkov in the chest. An ambulance arrived about an hour later, but doctors said he had already passed away.
Investigation and Legacy
The police started an investigation into Igor Talkov's death. Igor Malakhov, who was wanted by the police, turned himself in 10 days later. In December 1991, the charge of planning the murder was dropped against him.
After more investigations in April 1992, it was believed that the final shot was fired by Valery Shlyafman, Igor Talkov's manager. However, in February 1992, Shlyafman left the country and went to Israel. At that time, Russia and Israel did not have an agreement to send people back for crimes. So, the case was put on hold. In November 2018, the investigation into the singer's death was started again.
Valery Shlyafman is still in Israel and says he is innocent. Some people, including Shlyafman and his supporters, have suggested that the KGB (a former Soviet security agency) might have been involved in the murder.
In 1999, Igor Talkov was honored with his picture on a Russian postage stamp. There is also an Igor Talkov Museum in Moscow, where fans can learn more about his life and music.
Popular Songs
- Clean Ponds (Russian: Чистые пруды)
- Summer Rain (Летний дождь)
- Russia (Россия)
- My Love (Моя любовь)
- Ex-Podesaul (Бывший подъесаул)
- At Your Window (У твоего окна)
- My Homeland (Родина моя)
- KPSS (КПСС)
- Scene (Сцена)
- Memory (Память)
- An Exemplary Boy (Примерный мальчик)
- Stop! I Think to Myself (Стоп! Думаю себе)
- Kremlin Wall (Кремлёвская стена)
- The Lifebuoy (Спасательный круг)
- Gentlemen Democrats (Господа демократы)
- Mr. President (Господин президент)
- I'll Be Back (Я вернусь)
See also
- List of unsolved murders
