Valery Leontiev facts for kids

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Quick facts for kids Valery Leontiev
Валерий Леонтьев

Born	(1949-03-19) 19 March 1949 (age 76) Ust-Usa, Komi ASSR, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
Alma mater	Saint-Petersburg State University of Culture and Arts
Occupation	Singer songwriter actor
Years active	1972–present
Title	People's Artist of Russia (1996)
Awards	Order "For Merit to the Fatherland" (Russia, 3rd, 4th class) Order of Honour (Russia, 2009) Order of Friendship (Russia,2014) World Music Awards (1991)
Musical career
Genres	Pop Dance-pop Rock
Instruments	Vocals

Signature

Valery Yakovlevich Leontiev (Russian: Валерий Яковлевич Леонтьев; born on March 19, 1949) is a famous Russian singer, songwriter, and actor. He became very popular in the 1980s and 1990s. In 1996, he was given the special title of People's Artist of Russia.

Valery Leontiev has achieved great success in many countries, especially in Eastern Europe. He is considered a pop icon, much like the famous singer Alla Pugacheva. He has also won many awards, including the ZD Awards.

In 1993, Valery Leontiev was a main performer at the Voice of Asia festival. He shared the stage with international music groups like Boney M. and singer Gloria Gaynor. Throughout his long career, he has released over 30 albums. Many of these albums sold millions of copies. People in the media often call Valery Leontiev a "megastar" and a "legend" of Russian pop music.

Early Life and Beginnings

Valery Yakovlevich Leontiev was born on March 19, 1949. He was born in a small village called Ust-Usa in what is now Russia's Komi Republic. In 1961, his family moved to the city of Yuryevets.

His first big performance was in 1971 at a competition called "Song-71" in Vorkuta. He won second place with his song "Carnaval."

Musical Journey

In 1980, Valery Leontiev started performing in many concerts. He sang at famous venues like the Moscow Variety Theatre and Luzhniki. In 1981, he won a popularity award at the important music festival "Yerevan-81." American journalists at the event noticed his energetic style. They even compared him to the famous singer Mick Jagger.

In 1982, Valery Leontiev had a serious throat operation. This made his future singing career uncertain. But he recovered and continued to perform.

In 1983, he moved to work in the Voroshilovgrad Philharmonic in the Ukrainian SSR. A year later, he had a special part in a concert in Moscow for composer Raimond Pauls.

In 1986, he performed in Chernobyl for the people who helped after the nuclear power plant accident. Other famous artists, like Alla Pugacheva, also performed there. In 1987, he was named an Honored Artist of the Ukrainian SSR.

The early 1990s were a busy time for Valery Leontiev. He toured in many countries, including Germany, Israel, the USA, Canada, and India. In 1991, he won the "Best Selling Soviet Artist" award at the World Music Awards in Monte Carlo.

In 1994, he performed with the famous actress Gina Lollobrigida in Saint-Petersburg. In 1996, he received the high honor of People's Artist of Russia. A special star with his name was placed on the Star Square in Moscow in March 1998. In 1999, he received the "Living Legend Award" at the "Ovation" music awards.

In 2011, he was a judge at the Crimea Music Fest.

Concerts and Shows

Valery Leontiev has had a very active career with many concerts and shows.

1972 – His first solo concert was in Vorkuta.
1980 – He performed his first concerts in Moscow.
1981 – He participated in the "Yerevan-81" festival and the "Song of the Year" finale.
1983 – He performed 18 sold-out concerts in Leningrad with his show "I'm just a singer."
1985 – His concert program "Alone with all" was very popular. People waited in long lines for tickets in Leningrad.
1988-1989 – He had a huge tour across the USSR. For example, he gave 27 concerts in Novosibirsk and 33 in Almaty.
1988-1989 – He starred in the rock opera "Giordano," playing three main roles.
1990 – He performed at the Olympic Stadium in Moscow. He also had concerts in the USA, India, Germany, and Israel.
1991-1992 – He continued touring in India, Canada, USA, Germany, and Israel.
1993 – He presented "Full Moon," his first big "super-show" in Russia.
1994 – His show "Beauty and Casanova" was the first pop concert in Russia with a symphony orchestra.
1996 – He toured the US, Germany, Israel, and Canada with his show "On the road to Hollywood."
1999 – His "Photographer of Dreams" super-show toured Russia, Ukraine, Israel, the United States, Canada, Germany, and the Baltic states.
2001 – He toured with his "Unnamed Planet" super-show.
2009-2010 – He had an anniversary show called "I love you, miss you, I'm waiting." This tour included Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Latvia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, USA, Israel, and Australia.
2011-2012 – He performed "The best ever!" and "By popular demand..." shows at the Kremlin Palace of Congresses.
2014 – He held anniversary concerts in St. Petersburg and Moscow, and also performed in Geneva and Israel.
2015 – He had a special creative evening in Sochi and toured Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Germany.

Musical Awards and Honors

Valery Leontiev has received many awards for his music.

Golden Orpheus

1980 – He won the First Prize at the XVI International Festival "Golden Orpheus" in Bulgaria.

World Music Awards

1991 – He was named "Best-selling Soviet recording-artist of the year."

ZD Awards

He was named "Singer of the year" in 1980, 1984, 1985, and 1986.
His shows "On the road to Hollywood" (1996), "Photographer of Dreams" (1999), and "Nameless Planet" (2001) won "Best show of the year."
He received a "Legend" special prize in 2009.
In 2014, he received a special prize for his contributions to Russian pop music.

Ovation

1998 – He received the "Living Legend" award.

Golden Gramophone Award

He won awards for his songs "One ticket" (1997), "Everybody wants to love" (1999), and "Augustine" (2000).
In 2005, he received a special prize for his contributions to Russian pop music.
In 2008, he won for the song "Dove."

Song of the Year

1997 – He was named "Singer of the year" and received a prize for his great contribution to Russian pop music.

Muz-TV Awards

2003 – He received a special prize for his achievements in popular music.

Russian Music Awards

2015 – He received a special prize for his unique contribution to Russian pop music.
2019 – He received a special prize for his contribution to national culture.

Other Awards

1981 – He was named "Performer of the Year" by "Estrada-81."
1987 – His song "White Crow" was named "The best song of the year" in several countries.
1998 – A star with his name was placed on the Star Square in Moscow.
2005 – Valery Leontiev was included in the Russian Encyclopedia.

National Honors and Awards

Leontiev receives the Order of Friendship from Russian President Vladimir Putin, 31 July 2014

Valery Leontiev has received many important honors from Russia and other countries.

Orders

Order of Merit for the Fatherland, 3rd class (2022) – for his great work in national culture and art.
Order of Merit for the Fatherland, 4th class (2005) – for his big contribution to music.
Order of Honor (2009) – for his great work in national music and long creative career.
Order of Friendship (2014).

Titles

People's Artist of Russia (1996).
Merited Artist of Ukrainian SSR (1987).
People's Artist of the Republic of Komi (2009).
Honorary Citizen of Sakha Republic (2014).

Medals

Medal "For Faith and Good" (2010).

Awards

Lenin Komsomol Prize (1985) – for promoting Soviet pop songs and his great performance skills.
Prize of the Moscow Government (1996) – for his super shows "Full Moon" and "On the way to Hollywood."
Belarus president award "Through Art - to Peace and Understanding" (2009).

Discography

Valery Leontiev has released many albums throughout his career. You can find a full list of his albums on the Valery Leontiev discography page.

Songwriting and Film Work

Valery Leontiev has not only sung but also helped write songs. He composed several songs with Yuri Varum, including "Mongolia" and "Flower Seller." He also helped write lyrics for songs like "Birth Day" and "Touch."

He has also appeared in several films and musical productions:

1981: In a strange feast
1985: Do Not Marry, Girls
1985: Insurance agent
1992: Psychic

He has also been part of many musical films and musicals, such as:

1979: Crimean Dawns
1984: I do not say goodbye to you
1986: How to become a star
2002: Cinderella (Musical film)
2009: I have not lived. Valery Leontiev

Personal Life

Valery Leontiev is married to Lyudmila Isakovich, who is a bass guitarist. They have been together since 1972, but they officially got married in 1998. His wife lives in Miami, USA.

Eurovision Song Contest 1987 Idea

The Soviet Union never took part in the Eurovision Song Contest. However, in 1987, there was an idea for them to join. George Veselov, who worked for the Soviet Ministry of Education, thought it would be a good way to improve relationships between the Soviet Union and Western countries.

Valery Leontiev was suggested as the singer for the Soviet Union's first entry. But the leaders of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, including Mikhail Gorbachev, thought it was too big a step. So, the Soviet Union never entered the contest before it broke apart.

Real Estate

Valery Leontiev owns several properties:

A three-story apartment in Moscow, Russia, bought in 1993.
A villa in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida, USA, bought in 1996.
An apartment in Miami, Florida, USA, bought in 2002.
An apartment in Hallandale Beach, Florida, USA, bought in 2005.
A villa in Alicante, Spain, bought in 2008.