Andrey Kusmenko Ukrainian singer, writer, TV presenter, producer, actor. Leader of the Skryabin group. Date of Birth: 17.08.1968 Country: Ukraine

Biography of Andriy Kuzmenko

Andriy Kuzmenko (Kuzma) was a Ukrainian singer, writer, TV presenter, producer, and actor. He was born on August 17, 1968, in the city of Sambir in the Lviv region. His mother was a music teacher and his father was an engineer. He was the only child in the family and had a cousin named Tatyana and two cousins named Mikhail and Yaroslav. Kuzma described himself as a confident and charismatic person since childhood.

Kuzma's personality was mainly shaped by his mother. Since the second grade, his mother encouraged him to attend a music school, where he studied piano. As a child, Kuzma had a dream of becoming a garbage truck driver. His first creative performance was at the age of three when he went on stage in kindergarten to recite a poem but started crying when he couldn't find his mother in the audience. Another early memory was when he was given a plywood "electric guitar" by his parents and he would sing the song "Chervona Ruta" when guests came over. This song became a hit at the time.

Kuzma's passion for music was sparked when he heard The Beatles' song "Lady Madonna" on a foreign music compilation in 1979. It amazed him how simple yet powerful the music was, and it inspired him to start creating his own melodies. He realized that anyone could come up with something that thousands or even millions of people could relate to if they put their heart and mind into it.

During his teenage years, Kuzma developed an interest in disco music, particularly Boney M. He would spend hours listening to the latest music on Polish radio and watching Polish television, as he was fluent in the Polish language. This passion for Polish music and culture still exists today.

In high school, Kuzma was considered an egotistical person due to being an only child. He admitted that he had a decline in academic performance after the eighth grade but had fond memories of playing music during that time.

In 1983, Kuzma discovered punk rock through an American band called The Exploited, which he heard on Polish radio. This music transformed him and ignited his love for punk rock. He started dancing, going to discos, and spreading punk among the youth. He formed his first band called "Tsepnaia Reaktsiia" and performed at school dances, singing in Ukrainian, English, and Russian languages.

In 1987, Kuzma joined the underground music scene, participating in various rock bands and projects. He played guitar, sang, and became the face of these groups. During this time, he was heavily influenced by new wave and new romantic styles, particularly bands like Depeche Mode and The Cure.

In 1989, Kuzma formed the band Skryabin, which went through several lineup changes over the years. The band gained popularity in Ukraine, and Kuzma became known as a charismatic and talented musician. Skryabin's music was a fusion of different genres, incorporating elements of punk, new wave, and rock. They released several albums and became one of the most successful bands in Ukraine.

Kuzma's personal life had its ups and downs. He got married in 1994 to a woman named Svitlana, but their relationship faced challenges, and they eventually separated. Kuzma moved to Kyiv with band members Roy and Shura, where they continued their musical career. Despite the hardships, Kuzma found solace in his music and dedicated himself to his craft.

Kuzma was known for his love for cars and bicycles. He owned different vehicles over the years, spending much time repairing them. He enjoyed the thrill of driving fast and always carried a selection of Polish new romantic music in his car.

In 1996, Kuzma briefly appeared on the television program "Bomba," which he later regretted as it did not align with his musical goals. He realized that he preferred to focus on his music and professionalism rather than seeking popularity.

Kuzma was a superstitious person and had various rituals to ward off bad luck. He had a strong belief in fate and trusted his instincts in making decisions. Although he had a successful music career, Kuzma remained humble and down-to-earth, valuing his fans and enjoying the simple pleasures in life.

Tragically, Andriy Kuzmenko passed away on February 2, 2015, in a car accident. His death was a great loss to the Ukrainian music industry, and his legacy as a talented and influential artist continues to live on.