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Sankt-Peterburg 2Rock band
Date of Birth: .
Country:  Russia |
Content:
- Origins and Early Success
- International Acclaim
- Global Tours and Recordings
- Rebirth and Later Years
- Hiatus and Reunion
- The reconstituted band comprised:
Origins and Early Success
Formed in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg), the rock band "SAINT-PETERSBURG" emerged as a beacon of the popular Glam-rock (melodic rock) genre at the time. Under the mentorship of producer Vladimir Kiselev, the band's inaugural lineup comprised young, highly skilled musicians with extensive experience on the professional stage. The aim was to achieve widespread success and international recognition, necessitating an exceptional level of musical proficiency.
After a brief rehearsal period, the band's talent became evident, propelling them to the forefront of the Soviet rock scene within half a year. Their first hit, "Russians," resonated deeply with audiences due to its poignant lyrics questioning the need for adversity. The band's triumph continued with their victory at the prestigious "Song-89" and "Steps to Parnassus" competitions in 1989.
International Acclaim
In 1990, "SAINT-PETERSBURG" extended their success to the international stage by winning the "Sopot-90" festival in Poland. Their performance also marked the honor of closing the festival. The same year, they released their breakout hit, "Ocharovana, Okoldovana" (Enchanted, Bewitched), which remains an enduring classic even today, with a span of 12 years of continuous airplay on numerous radio stations.
Between 1990 and 1995, the band embarked on over 1000 sold-out live concerts, touring extensively throughout the USSR and abroad. Their geographical reach extended from Namibia to Japan, showcasing their remarkable popularity. Their performances were not limited to clubs or restaurants; they graced stadiums and prestigious concert halls worldwide.
"SAINT-PETERSBURG" actively participated in various cultural initiatives, including benefit concerts for reconstruction efforts in Armenia alongside renowned Russian entertainers like Iosif Kobzon, Alexander Rosenbaum, and Gennady Khazanov.
Global Tours and Recordings
From 1989, the band's international presence grew steadily, with performances in Austria, Poland, Germany, Spain, Italy, Japan, Namibia, and more. Notably, they made six successful appearances at Japan's prestigious "Pan Pasific Festival" in Tokyo, collaborating with Japanese, South Korean, and American bands. Following their first concert, the band was hailed as the festival's headliner.
This tour led to a lucrative contract with Japanese record label "Jimco-Records," resulting in the release of "SAINT-PETERSBURG"'s first album in Japan. The band later returned to Japan for another two successful tours, performing in major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto.
In Spain, they performed at the massive "Centrum Madrid" stadium alongside popular heavy metal band "Barricada." In Prague, they featured in the Czech version of the popular Saint Petersburg TV program "Musical Ring" (Arena), collaborating with renowned Czech rock groups. In Namibia, they became the first Russian band to perform at the "Vindhuk Central" stadium during the country's Independence Day celebrations, witnessing the raising of the Namibian flag.
Rebirth and Later Years
In 1992, "SAINT-PETERSBURG" amicably parted ways with producer Vladimir Kiselev and continued as an independent unit. In 1994, upon the invitation of the Vice-Speaker of the South Korean Parliament, they toured the country, resulting in a recording session in Seoul and the release of a single in Korean.
The band's lineup underwent several changes over the years, with the exception of its perpetual leader and vocalist, Vladimir Trushin, who also contributed to the music and most of the lyrics. These changes were primarily attributed to the grueling physical demands of their extensive touring. In 1996, Trushin collaborated with renowned Russian songwriters Igor Kornelyuk and Roman Lisits to create the song "Druгая" (Another) for the "Eurovision" contest. However, Russia did not participate in that year's competition.
Due to contractual obligations with their German, Japanese, and South Korean labels, the band was unable to release albums in Russia until 1996, when "Azarh-Records" (which ceased operations in 1998) issued a small print run of "Ocharovana, Okoldovana." Unfortunately, the album did not receive the promised promotional support.
Hiatus and Reunion
In 1996, amidst a genre crisis, the band suspended its extensive touring activities, without officially announcing a disbandment. Members participated in various projects as session and studio musicians. Trushin pursued solo performances and a program featuring the band's past lyrical works alongside guitarist Oleg Chinyakov.
After an extended creative break, former members of "SAINT-PETERSBURG" reunited in September 2002, launching the "second" chapter of their legendary career. The new program, titled "Russkaya Zvezda" (Russian Star), included both classic and newly written songs.
The reconstituted band comprised:
Vladimir Trushin - vocalsOleg Chinyakov - guitar
Sergey Boldakin - keyboards
Valery Sudakov - bass guitar
Andrey Vdovichenko - drums
