The name of Pavel Slobodkin is well known to Soviet music lovers. It was he who stood at the origins of the formation of the vocal and instrumental ensemble "Jolly Fellows". The artist led the VIA until his death. He passed away in 2017. He left behind a rich creative heritage and made an undeniable contribution to the development of Russian culture. During his lifetime, he realized himself as a composer, musician, teacher.
Pavel Slobodkin's childhood and youth
The artist's date of birth is May 9, 1945. He was born in the provincial city of Rostov-on-Don. He was lucky to be brought up in a creative family. The fact is that the head of the family realized himself as a musician. During the war, he traveled with the ensemble to cheer up the spirit of the military. By nationality, Pavel's father is a Jew.
Pavel Slobodkin was brought up in a creative atmosphere. The Slobodkin family loved to receive guests. Notable musicians, singers and actors often visited them.
At the age of three, he sat down at the piano for the first time. Pavel was an incredibly gifted boy and the teacher immediately pointed out his abilities to his parents. At the age of five, Slobodkin Jr. was already playing on stage with his father.
In the mid-50s of the last century, he won the First Prize at the competition of gifted performers. The victory undoubtedly inspired Paul. Moreover, there were really strong contenders at the competition.
But the musician by this time was far from dreaming of a career as a musician. He aspired to be a composer. He was attracted to improvisation, but the main thing is that he really had a talent for composing musical works.
Soon he entered the composition department of the school at the Moscow Conservatory. He managed to join the creative environment, and exchange the experience gained. At a more mature age, he received a "crust" on the end of GITIS. Moreover, he even taught at an educational institution.
Pavel Slobodkin: creative path and music
In the 60s of the last century, he managed to take the position of the head of the variety studio of Moscow State University "Our House". A few years later, he created a project that brought him genuine popularity. Of course, we are talking about a vocal-instrumental ensemble "Funny boys". The team included aspiring artists. Those who left VIA left the group in the status of real stars.
He not only headed the VIA, but also took on the duties of an arranger and played keyboards. In the early 70s, Vesyolye Rebyata introduced the Soviet public to the tracks of the legendary Beatles.
They are the first who decided to experiment with the classics. Thus, the musicians presented the public with classical works in modern processing. Pavel's ensemble performed compositions written specifically for the "mood" of the vocal and instrumental ensemble. The songs “People meet”, “Alyoshkina love”, “How beautiful this world is” were especially popular.
The debut EP came out only at the end of the 60s. But the fans had to wait until 1975 for the presentation of the full-length LP. The record was called "Love is a huge country." She caused a real sensation among the fans of the "Jolly Fellows".
In the new millennium, the team often visited the Avtoradio festival. They remained the favorites of the public until the very end. Surprisingly, modern youth also knew some of the VIA tracks. The group ceased operations in 2017.
Pavel Slobodkin: details of his personal life
The first who managed to win the artist's heart was a girl named Tatyana Starostina. She also belonged to the creative profession. Tatyana realized herself as a ballerina. In this marriage, the couple had a daughter.
When family relationships cracked, Tatiana tried to save her family. But, she soon left this occupation. They came to the decision to divorce. After the divorce, the former lovers did not maintain a relationship.
Further, Pavel Slobodkin met with Alla Pugacheva. The prima donna of the Russian stage was replaced by a short relationship with Anastasia Vertinskaya. Pavel doted on the girl, but the lady was spoiled by male attention. She played with the maestro's feelings.
The second time he married Lola Kravtsova. She completely changed Slobodkin. He discovered religion. Paul attended church and fasted. The couple did charity work. Most likely, the artist had a premonition of death, since in 2006 he made a will in which Lola became the only heiress.
Death of Pavel Slobodkin
The artist's date of death is August 8, 2017. For many years he fought for the right to live. The thing is, he was diagnosed with cancer.
