In a new poll of favourite Soviet idols, Vladimir Vysotsky was again runner up to Yuri Gagarin.
Almost unknown in the West, Vladimir was a Sixties icon, his unofficial recordings being distributed in the way of the time on reel-to-reel tape, medical X-Ray film and later on pirate cassette.
He had a typical pop idol profile, marrying a Russian born French actress, with the wonderful name of Marina de Poliakoff-Baidaroff, and appearing himself in film and TV series.
He also suffered the musician’s early death, 
mixing drink and opiates. Hank Williams did the same. Hank was recorded as ‘dying of old age’ at 29. Vladimir, however, made it until he was 42.
You know you’re famous in Russia when you get monuments. There’s a rather fine one on his grave at Vagankovo Cemetery in Moscow. It’s regularly visited by pilgrims, rather like Jim Morrison’s grave in Paris. You can also leave flowers for Vladimir at Find A Grave dotcom. (How bizarre is that.)
The statue of Vladimir (above top) I found in Kaliningrad, in the park next to the Moskva hotel.
Actually, Hank was 29 when he died. Robert Johnson, Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain and Janis Joplin were 27 when they died. But Vlad died way too early…
Thanks for the comment – edit done – and reminding me about your blog. I’ve been out of the loop for a while.
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