Childhood and family of Alexander Gradsky
When Alexander was born, the family lived beyond the Urals in the Chelyabinsk region. Dad was an engineer; he was assigned there after graduating from college. Mom was an actress, but having gone to Kopeisk to pick up her husband, she was forced to give up the stage and career at the Moscow Art Theater, where she, as a young actress, was invited after theater. In Kopeisk, she directed an amateur theater at the local Palace of Culture.Only in 1957 did the family from Kopeisk move back to the capital. For some time I had to live with my grandmother near Moscow, and later my parents moved to the city to a small room in the basement, Sasha stayed to live with his grandmother. Only when he had to go to school did he move in with his parents. At the age of nine, his mother and father took their son to a music school, where he studied without much desire, learning to play the violin. He liked music, but the fact that he had to play at home for several hours every day depressed him.
Alexander Gradsky - How young we were
At school he preferred the humanities, but the exact ones interested him little. The boy read a lot and already at fourteen wrote his first poem. My mother’s brother often toured abroad with the Moiseev Theater, including to the USA. Thanks to these trips, my uncle acquired records with modern Western music, which Alexander also listened to.
As a schoolboy, Gradsky began to try his hand at performing at school evenings, where he sang with a guitar or piano. He also attended a theater group.
The first songs of Alexander Gradsky
At the age of fourteen, the teenager took part in a number of concerts with the Polish student group “Cockroaches”. “The Best City on Earth” is the first song performed by Gradsky as part of this group.When Alexander was fifteen, the family moved to a nice apartment. At this age, the teenager decided that he would become a musician and singer with the name Alexander Gradsky. He himself says that his serious passion for The Beatles prompted him to decide to continue his musical education.
Alexander Gradsky and musical groups
In 1965, the group “Slavs” appeared, which was organized by Alexander together with Mikhail Turkov, later they were joined by the rest of the guys who became members of the musical group. A year later, the ensemble “Skomorokhi” appeared, which performed songs in their native language, mostly Gradsky’s own songs. The calling card of the aspiring singer was his song “Blue Forest”. At the same time, Alexander performed with the group “Scythians”, and then with “Los Panchos”.There was always not enough money for equipment, so the musician and his friends began working at the Philharmonic. Having accepted David Tukhmanov’s offer, he went on tour around the country. Performances with “Los Panchos” continued, in addition, he played lead guitar for VIA “Electron” for some time. During these few years, while performing, Alexander never sang, for fear of being exposed. The idea was to collect the required amount for decent equipment over several years of performances, and then perform in Moscow with Russian rock and roll.
Alexander Gradsky - Song about the Olympics in Sochi 2014
In 1969, Gradsky became a student at the Gnesinka solo singing department. His teacher was L. Kotelnikova. While studying, he performed solo concerts, where he sang with a guitar. Gradsky was among the first singers and musicians who experimented with Russian-language lyrics in rock. Around that period, the first experience of sound recording appeared. The songs of “Skomorokhs” began to be heard throughout the country.
The best songs of Alexander Gradsky
After graduating from the Gnessin Institute, Alexander began touring, his career quickly went up. During Gradsky's concerts the halls were always full. It happened that he gave four solo concerts a day, each of which lasted at least two hours.In 1975, Alexander entered the conservatory, and at the same time he was working on several films. In 1976, the musician began working on the first part of the “Russian Songs” suite, and in 1978 – on the second. An album with the same name was released in 1980. It was a significant work in rock music at the time. The musician continued to tour, performing mainly with songs of his own composition. Soon he began teaching, first he taught at the Gnessin School, after a while at the Gnessin Institute, and then at GITIS, where he headed the vocal department.
The 1980s became a turning point for Alexander’s work; he became a “Protestant”; his rock music contained both tragic satire and dramatic lyrics. His talent and voice were always taken into account, therefore, if troubles happened, they were minor, but for the first time he went abroad only in 1988. It was a conference attended by film, political and artistic figures.
Soon the musician reduced the number of tours and concerts. His desire was to create a Theater of Contemporary Music, for which he was given a building in the center of the capital, which required reconstruction. Gradsky often traveled abroad and worked in joint projects with Kris Kristofferson, Sammy Davis, Liza Minnelli and others. He released a number of discs in Russia and two discs were released in Japan.
The show “The Voice” was released on Channel One, where Gradsky was one of the mentors. In both 2012 and 2013, a member of his team won. The musician’s wards included such contestants as Sharip Umkhanov, Sergei Volchkov, Yazilya Mukhametova and others.
Personal life of Alexander Gradsky
Alexander was left without his mother early. She died when he was only fourteen years old. In memory of her, he took his mother’s surname and became Alexander Gradsky.Gradsky's first marriage lasted only three months. His chosen one was Natalya Smirnova. The second official wife was Anastasia Vertinskaya. The wedding took place three years after the first marriage. They lived together for only two years, although the divorce was finalized only four years later. Immediately after the divorce, a third marriage followed. Alexander married Olga Fartysheva. The marriage lasted twenty-three years. They had a son and a daughter.
Alexander Gradsky currently
Now Gradsky has been living in a civil marriage for more than ten years with model Marina Kotashenko, who is more than thirty years younger than him. The relationship between Gradsky’s current wife and his adult children can be called smooth.In 1964, Gradsky, having learned that they were looking for a guy who could play the guitar well for the movie “The Elusive Avengers,” went to audition. They didn't take him.
There he met Misha Turkov, who also unsuccessfully participated in the auditions. They talked and after some time decided to create the group “Slavs”.
It is known that after graduating from school, Gradsky worked for some time at Mosfilm as a loader, then worked in the same position at a cardboard factory and even worked as a laboratory assistant, where his father got him a job.
Alexander Gradsky is a singer, composer, guitarist, poet, musical and He is a People's Artist of Russia and a State Prize laureate. Created together with Mikhail Turkov, the group “Slavs” was the third rock group in the Soviet Union. As a true creative person, he constantly needs a wonderful muse. Perhaps that is why he was married several times.
Alexander Gradsky. Biography. Childhood and youth
Born in Kopeisk (Chelyabinsk region) on November 3, 1949. His mother was a dramatic theater actress. From her he inherited a penchant for creativity. My father was a mechanical engineer by profession.
In 1957, the family moved to Moscow. His father got a job at a factory, and his mother became the head of theater clubs. She was also part of the literary staff of a popular magazine. His parents were too busy with work, so Alexander Gradsky lived with his grandmother (on his mother’s side) in the village of Rastorguevo, Butovo district (in the Moscow region).
From 1958 to 1965, Sasha attended music school and studied violin with V.V. Sokolov. The boy took great interest in his music lessons. However, he did not like doing long hours of exercise at home.
In secondary school he is interested in humanities. Literature and history become his elements. He read prose and poetry with great pleasure. At the age of thirteen, Sasha wrote his first poem. He became acquainted with Western music early (E. Presley, L. Armstrong, B. Haley, E. Fitzgerald). From the Soviet stage I preferred to listen to songs performed by L. Ruslanova, K. Shulzhenko,
Alexander Gradsky, a young music lover, had the opportunity to listen to rare records with amazing music. His uncle brought them from abroad.
During his school years, Sasha performs as a singer at school parties, accompanying himself on the piano or guitar. As an actor, he tries his hand at a theater group.
Family of Alexander Gradsky
- The musician’s mother is Tamara Pavlovna Gradskaya (actress, director, literary contributor to the magazine).
- Grandmother (on my mother’s side) - Maria Ivanovna Gradskaya (Pavlova), was a housewife.
- Grandfather, Pavel Ivanovich Gradsky, is a leather goods sewing master.
- Uncle, Boris Pavlovich Gradsky - dancer, ensemble artist, accordion player, composer.
- Dad - Boris Abramovich Fradkin (mechanical engineer).
- Grandmother (on the father's side) - Rosa Ilyinichna Fradkina (Chvertkina), worked as a secretary-typist for fifty years.
- Grandfather - Abram Semenovich Fradkin, worked as a house manager in Kharkov.
- Aunt - Irina Abramovna Fradkina (Sidorova).
Until the age of fourteen, Sasha bore his father's surname. After the death of his mother (in 1963), he took her last name in memory of her.
Concerts, performances, musical groups
Gradsky's successful career as a musician began in 1963. Together with the group “Cockroaches” (which included Polish students), he performs at several concerts.
In 1965, Alexander Gradsky, together with Mikhail Turkov, created the group “Slavs”. After some time, their team was joined by Vyacheslav Dontsov (drummer) and Viktor Degtyarev (bass player). After about a couple of months, Vadim Maslov (electric organist) joins them. “Slavs” is the third Soviet rock band that has captivated a large number of listeners. Their repertoire included songs by The Beatles.
In 1966, the group “Skomorokhi” was organized. The author of the songs was Alexander Gradsky himself and composed them in Russian.
At the same time, he does not stop working with Dontsov and Degtyarev. Their group "Scythians" repeatedly changed its performing line-up.
While traveling, musicians earn money for high-quality and expensive equipment. Their group “Los Panchos” conquers Moscow.
In 1969 he entered the GMPI named after. Gnessins and improves vocal skills. At the same time, he begins a solo career and performs with a guitar. He continues to compose musical compositions. These are “The Ballad of the Poultry Farm”, “Spain”, “Song of Fools”, and a small rock opera “The Tsokotukha Fly”.
“Skomorokhs” win six first prizes at the All-Union festival of beat groups “Silver Strings” in Gorky. Three of them were received personally by Alexander Gradsky: “For vocals”, “For guitar” and “For composition”.
In 1972, “Skomorokhs” toured different cities (Kuibyshev, Donetsk and many others).
In 1973, the following compositions were published: “Blue Forest”, “Spain”, “Buffoons”, “Coal Miner’s Girlfriend”.
Participation in films. Music for cinema
Gradsky was noticed by director Andrei Mikhalkov-Konchalovsky and offered to take part in the film “Romance of Lovers.” At first, Alexander was invited as a singer. He was then commissioned to write the songs, some of the poetry and all the music. At that time, it was a very rare case: a young musician who was not a member of the Union of Composers received an order from one of the most talented and popular directors in the country.
The film was released in 1974. In the same year, it was Alexander Gradsky who received the title “Star of the Year”. A photo of the already famous musician is presented below.
After this, Alexander’s career goes up rapidly. He tours the country. At his concerts, the halls are constantly crowded with audiences who greet him with incredible excitement.
In 1975, Gradsky fruitfully worked on several films at once. In the meantime, he continues to record music and participates in projects of various authors. In the same year he entered the Moscow Conservatory with the wonderful teacher T. Khrennikov in the composition class.
In 1988, he wrote music for such films as “The Art of Living in Odessa” and “The Prisoner of the Chateau d’If.”
Touring and teaching activities
Since the late 70s, the musician has been actively touring. His repertoire is replenished with songs for which he writes the lyrics himself. Some of them are very brave. He writes articles in defense of rock music. Actively polemicizes with retrogrades. In this way he makes enemies for himself.
At this time he began teaching. For several years he has been working at the Gnessin School, graduating students. Then he teaches at the institute. This stage of activity ended with two years of heading the vocal department. Gradsky believed that further work could only be done if he had his own class.
Creativity of the 70s, 80s, 90s
From 1976 to 1980, Alexander composed and recorded two parts of the suite “Russian Songs”. This is the first rock record in the Soviet Union, which was released in 1980.
Alexander Gradsky releases one studio recording after another. Photos of the musician in the process of work can be seen below.
His vocal suites: “Star of the Fields”, “Concert Suite”, “Nostalgia”, “Life Itself”, “Satires”, “Utopia AG”, “Flute and Royale”. The collection of recordings “Reflections of a Jester” confirms the possibility of singing in different rock styles in Russian. The artist also works with more complex genres. He writes the opera “Stadium” (libretto by A. Gradsky and M. Pushkina), the ballet “Man” based on a libretto of his own composition.
Vladimir Vysotsky died in 1980. Alexander delves into tragic satire and dramatic lyrics. He writes the compositions “Song about Television”, “Song about a Friend” and others.
In 1988, Gradsky performed the role of the Astrologer from the opera by N. A. Rimsky-Korsakov. This is an extremely complex part of the world operatic repertoire. He received a long standing ovation from the Bolshoi Theater auditorium.
Musical projects. Foreign trips
Under the leadership of Alexander, numerous complex projects took place. This is the organization of solo concerts in Moscow with the participation of orchestras of Russian folk instruments, symphony orchestras, choirs and rock groups; release of thirteen CDs with a complete collection of his own compositions and recordings; creation of musical films (“Anti-perestroika blues”, “Live in Russia”).
Foreign trips give good results. Alexander Gradsky works in joint projects with Liza Minnelli, John Denver, Diana Warwick and many others. He visited Greece, Germany, USA, Spain, Sweden. In 1990, he entered into a contract with the leading Japanese company VMI (VICTOR) and released two CDs under its brand.
Latest works
These are real eventful moments in musical life. The “Chrestomathy” CD is stylistically reminiscent of the “Reflections of a Fool” suite. Here again there is an attempt to speak out in Russian in modern genres. His opera “The Master and Margarita” (based on M. Bulgakov) with a unique cast of participants is also being published. The author worked on it for more than thirty years. It is beautifully and originally designed - in the form of an old book. Includes four discs and a complete libretto.
Concerts and tours are currently ongoing. For several seasons now, Gradsky has been a member of the jury of the “Voice” project. And it is his contestants who reach the finals and become winners. In 2012 - this is in 2013 - Sergei Volchkov.
Alexander Gradsky: personal life
His life partners changed several times. The first wife was Natalya Mikhailovna Gradskaya. He calls this marriage a “youth act.” The relationship with his second wife, actress Anastasia Vertinskaya, did not last long.
From 1976 to 1978 they were together. The official divorce took place in 1980. The longest was with his third wife, Olga Semyonovna Gradskaya. Their marriage lasted about 23 years. They have two children. Son Daniel was born on March 30, 1981. He followed in his father's footsteps and became a musician, but this does not stop him from being a businessman. Daughter Maria was born on January 14, 1986. She graduated from Moscow State University. Works as a TV presenter and art manager.
So, Alexander Gradsky was married three times. The musician’s personal life continues to rage to this day. In 2003, he won the heart of the charming Marina Kotashenko. They met on the street. But it was an original acquaintance in its own way. Gradsky managed to attract the attention of the spectacular beauty. A fun and immodest question: “Would you like to touch history?” - will at least bring a smile to every girl’s face. Of course, with such a legendary personality it is very interesting and exciting, in addition, the artist knows how to love and pamper. Therefore, Alexander Gradsky and his young wife have been happy together for more than ten years.
Like her common-law husband, a creative person. She starred in various TV series, comedies, and detective stories.
A great happy event recently happened in their family. On September 1, 2014, the son of Alexander Gradsky was born, who was named Sasha in honor of his father. Marina Kotashenko gave birth in New York. Time will tell whether the son will follow in his father's footsteps and become a famous musician.
Conclusion
Thus, Gradsky Alexander is revealed to us from different sides. First of all, he is a talented musician (composer, guitarist, singer) and poet, musical and public figure. Secondly, he is quite a brave and purposeful person. He was not afraid to write satirical compositions with pronounced sarcasm, and actively stood up for rock music, without fear of making enemies. And thirdly, this is a rather loving person who has been looking for his one and only muse for a long time. He probably found her in Marina Kotashenko.
Musician Alexander Gradsky is seriously ill. In addition to obesity, diabetes and frailty, a broken leg has recently been added. But still, the 67-year-old artist did not refuse to participate in the filming of the new season of the super project “The Voice”.
ON THE TOPIC
In order for Gradsky to easily occupy the chair of a jury member, a special ramp was installed in the studio, thanks to which he climbed onto the platform. The assistants helped the master take a seat in the chair. And only after that the director gave the command “Motor!”
The singer believes that a broken leg will not interfere with the filming process. And I took part in the blind auditions with interest. “I’m incredibly tired of “The Voice”! Especially because people began to recognize me on the streets, come up to me, ask for a selfie or an autograph. And “The Voice”, I think, is already tired of me. In general, before going there, I thought about two months, but then I realized that the idea was great,” the musician assured on the eve of filming.
Let us remind you that Gradsky, together with Pelageya, Bilan and Agutin, will judge the participants in the sixth season of “The Voice”. The director of the music editorial office of Channel One, Yuri Aksyuta, announced this on the evening of August 13. As they say, Gradsky’s participation in the previous “series” ensured a comfortable existence for several years to come. In just one season he received two million dollars. Pelageya, Bilan and Agutin, according to rumors, are earning a million dollars from the project. And the presenter of “The Voice” Dmitry Nagiyev – about two million.