It is impossible to overestimate the contribution of Leonid Utyosov to both Russian and world culture. Many leading culturologists from different countries call him a genius and a real legend, which is quite deserved.
Other Soviet pop stars of the beginning and middle of the XNUMXth century simply fade before the name of Utyosov. At the same time, he always claimed that he did not consider himself a "great" singer, since, in his opinion, he had no voice at all.
However, he said that his songs come from the heart. During the years of popularity, the singer's voice sounded from every gramophone, radio, records were released in millions of copies, and it was very difficult to buy a ticket to a concert a few days before the event.
The childhood of Leonid Utesov
On March 21 (March 9 according to the old calendar), 1895, Lazar Iosifovich Vaisben was born, who is known throughout the world under the name of Leonid Osipovich Utyosov.
Papa, Osip Weissbein, is a port forwarder in Odessa, distinguished by modesty and humility.
Mom, Malka Weisben (maiden name Granik), had an imperious and tough temper. Even sellers at the famous Odessa Privoz shied away from her.
During her life, she gave birth to nine babies, but, unfortunately, only five survived.
The character of Ledechka, as his relatives called him, went to his mother. Since childhood, he could defend his own point of view for a long time, if he was sure that he was completely right.
The boy was not afraid. As a child, he dreamed that when he grew up he would become a firefighter or a sea captain, but friendship with a violinist neighbor changed his views on the future - little Leonid became addicted to music.
At the age of 8, Utyosov became a student at the commercial school of G. Faig. After 6 years of study, he was expelled. Moreover, this was the first time a student was expelled in the entire 25-year history of the school.
Leonid was expelled for poor progress, constant absenteeism, unwillingness to study. He had no affinity for the sciences; Utyosov's main hobbies were singing and playing various musical instruments.
Career start
Thanks to the talent given by nature and perseverance, in 1911 Leonid Utyosov entered the Borodanov traveling circus. It is this event that many culturologists consider a turning point in the artist's life.
In his free time from rehearsals and performances, the young man was engaged in improving his skill in playing the violin.
In 1912 he was invited to the troupe of the Kremenchug Theater of Miniatures. It was in the theater that he met the popular artist Skavronsky, who advised Lena to take a stage name for herself. From that moment on, Lazar Weisben became Leonid Utyosov.
The troupe of the theater of miniatures toured almost all the cities of the vast motherland. Artists were welcomed in Siberia, Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, the Far East, Altai, in the central part of Russia, the Volga region. In 1917, Leonid Osipovich became the winner of the festival of coupletists, which took place in Belarusian Gomel.
The rise of an artist's career
In 1928, Utyosov went to Paris and literally fell in love with jazz music. A year later, he presented to the public a new theatrical jazz program.
In 1930, together with the musicians, he prepared a new concerto, which included orchestral fantasies composed by Isaak Dunayevsky. Several interesting stories are connected with some of Leonid Osipovich's hundreds of hits.
For example, the song "From Odessa Kichman", which was very popular, was heard at a reception related to the rescue of sailors from the Chelyuskin steamer, although before that the authorities had urged not to perform it in public.
By the way, the first Soviet clip in 1939 was filmed with the participation of this famous artist. With the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, Leonid Utyosov changed the repertoire and created a new program "Beat the enemy!". With her, he and his orchestra went to the front line to maintain the spirit of the Red Army.
In 1942, the famous singer was awarded the title of Honored Artist of the RSFSR. Among the military-patriotic songs that Utyosov performed during the war, the following were very popular: "Katyusha", "Soldier's Waltz", "Wait for Me", "Song of War Correspondents".
On May 9, 1945, Leonid participated in a concert dedicated to the Day of the Victory of the Soviet Union over fascism. In 1965, Utyosov received the title of People's Artist of the USSR.
Film career and personal life
Among the films in which Leonid Osipovich starred, it is worth highlighting the films: "Spirka Shpandyr's Career", "Merry Fellows", "Aliens", "Dunaevsky's Melodies". For the first time, the artist appeared in the frame in the film "Lieutenant Schmidt - a freedom fighter."
Officially, Utyosov was married twice. His first wife was the young actress Elena Lenskaya, whom he met in one of the theaters in Zaporozhye in 1914. A daughter, Edith, was born in the marriage. Leonid and Elena lived together for 48 years.
In 1962, the singer became a widower. However, before the death of Lena Utyosov, he dated the dancer Antonina Revels for a long time, whom he married in 1982. Unfortunately, in the same year, his daughter died of leukemia, and on March 9, he himself died.
