All members of the Vocal and Instrumental Ensemble “Blue Bird” were talented. But it was the unique voice of soloist Sergei Drozdov that became the real calling card of the group. The group became popular not only in Russia, but also gained worldwide fame.
On January 28, 1955, Sergei Drozdov was born in the Gomel region of the Republic of Belarus. The parents of the future artist were ordinary Soviet workers. Dad worked at a factory all his life, and mom was a cook in a kindergarten.
Sergei was raised mainly by his grandmother, since his parents were constantly busy at work. The woman instilled in her grandson a love of music and sent him to a music school to learn to play the balalaika. Later, Sergei replaced the balalaika with a guitar, and the skills acquired at music school were very useful to him.
In addition to music, Drozdov was fond of singing and dancing, and during his school years he took part in all school productions and concerts. After graduating from school, Sergei entered Sokolovsky College of Music, but dropped out in his second year. He was not accepted into the army because of his stuttering, from which he later managed to recover. It was not easy without education, but Sergei did not give up music, but, on the contrary, became interested in it professionally.
At the age of eighteen, Sergei Drozdov became a laureate of a music creative competition, at which time he was already mastering the bass guitar. After a while, Sergei entered the correspondence department of Tambov State University named after Derzhavin.
Even the lack of musical education did not prevent Sergei from participating in various musical projects. He was a soloist in such groups as “We, You and the Guitar”, “Voices of Polesie”. And in 1974, the voice of Sergei Drozdov surprised and amazed the Bolotny brothers, who were the creators of the Blue Bird Vocal and Instrumental Ensemble. They invited the young singer to become the lead singer of their group.
The group's popularity began to grow rapidly. Over the course of several years, the team managed to travel all over Russia and even visit abroad. Almost the entire repertoire of VIA “Blue Bird” was written by Sergei Drozdov.
The song “Where the maple rustles” brought the group great popularity and brought the creative team to the world stage. In 1975, the first album of the group “Blue Bird” was released.
But gradually the popularity became less and after 17 years of the group’s existence, the team disbanded. Drozdov tried several times to start a solo career, and soon began collaborating with the Red Square group.
In 2002, Sergei decided to revive his group, but the former popularity was no longer there. For many years, the “golden voices” of “Blue Bird” gave concerts in Germany, England and Russia. Another breakup of the group occurred in 2013. After the death of Sergei Drozdov, “Blue Bird” released an album called “The Last”.
Personal life of Sergei Drozdov
Sergei met his future wife Irina at the beginning of his career. After some time, the lovers got married and lived a happy family life. Irina was a choreographer and administrator of the Blue Bird group, but in 1981 she retired due to the birth of her daughter Alena. A year before the death of Sergei Drozdov, he became a grandfather. Alena gave birth to a beautiful girl, Alice.
All his life, the artist remained a wonderful family man and madly loved his wife and daughter.
New stage
Despite his successful creative biography and promising future, the singer for a long time was haunted by the idea of renewing his past band. Therefore, in 2002, he created his own project called “Blue Bird Sergei Drozdova”. In addition to new members, the group included musicians known to the audience - Sergei Levkin and Vladimir Gaponov.
S. Drozdov Honored Artist of Russia
They quickly win the love and recognition of the public. The period of tours around the country and neighboring countries is beginning again. Sergei continues to compose new hits for the group. Between 2010 and 2011, the group gave more than 40 concerts in various cities across the country. During the entire existence of the new project “Blue Bird”, five albums were recorded. The last one was released in 2013. After this, the team disbanded.
Causes of death of Sergei Drozdov
Sergei Drozdov has always been distinguished by good and strong health, so he did not attach any importance to his illness. The singer decided that he had a common cold, which he could cope with on his own. Time was lost when Sergei went to the hospital and was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer, which became the cause of Sergei Drozdov’s death.
Sergei Alexandrovich said that he easily tolerates the disease and does not feel severe pain. But the voice gradually began to disappear. He couldn't speak, much less sing. At this time, Drozdov spent all his energy on writing new songs, as if he was afraid that he would not have time to put on paper everything that worried him. Five courses of chemotherapy failed to prolong the singer’s life, and he categorically refused treatment abroad.
November 18, 2012 is the date of death of Sergei Drozdov, the legendary singer of songs in the Blue Bird group. At the grave in Tambov, where Sergei Drozdov is buried, fresh flowers lie at any time of the year, as a symbol of memory and respect for the great singer.
There is a memorial plaque installed on the house where Sergei Drozdov lived. It depicts well-known words that are associated with the “golden voice” of the “Blue Bird” - Where the maple tree rustles, above the river wave...
Express News
The probability of a repetition of a fashion can be easily calculated with a plus or minus accuracy. In a spiral, once every 20-25 years, clothes - shoes, jewelry - accessories return to us, having undergone “temporary improvements”. It’s clear that the fabrics are different, the methods of processing materials are modern, there are more cheap synthetics, less expensive natural materials. Leather - on leatherette, cotton - on acrylic, gold - on iron, gems - on rhinestones. It’s beautiful, doesn’t wrinkle, doesn’t rub, and the price is reasonable.
The style and visual images pass on to the next generation untouched, well, almost. So, with the base material it is clear. Let's move on to the spiritually sublime. For example, to music - an art form that reflects reality in sounds. The correspondence of music to a certain time has been proven in detail by theoretical scientists. Conclusion: the era of previous generations returns to the next ones and in the melodies too. This statement can be illustrated by the fashion for music of the 80s of the last century that is close to us. A few years ago, the passion for VIA (not to be confused with Gra) returned. Those musicians came out of the shadows. One of them is Sergei Drozdov, the leader and main voice of the super popular VIA Blue Bird.
– Sergey, why did interest in VIA music begin to return about 10 years ago?
– Interest arose not only in vocal and instrumental music. Nostalgia came from there, from the wild West, from the returning popularity of “Nazareth” and “The Stones”. Why? Apparently, nothing truly “hit” was created during these 10 years. In our time, music and poetry were written by professionals, and not by just anyone. I would characterize the return to VIA as nostalgia for quality.
– What was the reason for your leaving Blue Bird in 1988? You were the leader, the main voice of VIA?
– It wasn’t me who left. All this movement is gone. “Pesnyary”, “Gems”, “Merry Guys” disappeared from the big stage. They stopped packing halls because the fashion for computer music began. There has been a replacement of “live” performance with electronic music. VIA's niche is empty. During the quiet years, I wrote something in my studio and took care of my family. Some of the guys took up solo careers, others found themselves in business.
– The Bolotny brothers, the “parents” of “Blue Bird,” left for the USA in 1991. Was their activity there related to music?
– Robert returned and settled in Kaliningrad. Mikhail still lives in America. He has his own business, not related to show business. Nobody needs our music there. She may only be interesting in restaurants on Brighton Beach. I traveled to the USA with the fragments of the “Blue Bird”, I know about this firsthand.
– The ensemble had a very interesting touring life: Tanzania, Kenya, Congo, Ethiopia, Togo, Seychelles. Who organized such exotic trips?
– Exactly, we have traveled almost all of Africa. Such a tour of the embassies of the Soviet Union. We were greeted well, almost everyone there was ours. And before that there was Afghanistan! Do you want the truth? Concerts in Afghanistan were a kind of tour pass to capitalist countries. If you work in Afghanistan, you’ll go to Germany, if you don’t work, well, sorry! Obligation! It’s just that no one talked about it, hiding behind patriotism.
- Let's go back to the 70s. I wonder how the promotion of VIA “Blue Bird” took place? At the same time, there were no music channels, no tours before the release of the next disc.
– During the entire existence of the ensemble, we were provided with only 8-9 broadcasts. We were a group from Kuibyshev, provincials. VIA was “promoted” by the song “Maple” - it gave an impetus, “shot” by accident. Working with such authorities as Yuri Antonov and Vyacheslav Dobrynin greatly helped his fame. Yes, another important note. All our songs are about love. There were no ideological works about the party in our repertoire. They sang about the Motherland, but only at artistic councils, when they handed over the finished program before concerts or tours. To a huge extent, popularity depended on the release of records on . Our friends helped us, everything was done without money, no bribes.
– In 1999, “Blue Bird” decided to gather again. Please remember how this happened?
– Drummer Alexey Komarov lives in Kuibyshev, that is, in Samara. This man went to see Robert Bolotny, who was then living in Moscow: “We want to try to revive the Blue Bird.” Roma had doubts at first, but then agreed, but set a condition - to find and involve me in this case. I was working alone at that time. He appeared in group concerts with Valera Obodzinsky, Serega Krylov, Galya Nenasheva. I thought about it and returned to the ensemble. We drove around some small towns. Quite quickly I realized that this was still an amateur activity, and I left in 2002. He recruited musicians and organized his own group, “The Blue Bird of Sergei Drozdov.”
– Does the Samara team continue to work?
“Not only to work, but also to proudly call yourself the “Blue Bird.” They are not afraid of anything: “We are such and such. We are 35 years old!” Although there is no one from the original cast there. They just stole the name and repertoire.
– This should be understood to mean that there are two “Birds” in Russia?
- Not two, but more. Perhaps I don’t know everyone. I had to part ways with those musicians with whom I “resumed” in 2002 about a year ago. Now they are also called “Blue Bird”. No conscience, no honor. If all those people who once accompanied me call themselves “Blue Birds,” then a whole flock of them will soon be flying around. All these clones are just deceiving people. They're going after a well-known name. The songs are good, but the quality of performance is questionable, to put it mildly. And I'm not deceiving anyone. I work concerts with the group “Blue Bird of Sergei Drozdov”. I have been singing my songs all my life.
- How to make sense of this flock? Who is real and who is fake?
– If you want to hear the original, then my name should be on the poster. And those who simply write VIA “Blue Bird”, or “Blue Bird-2005”, or something else like that are fake! Don't believe it! In general, this is only possible with us. If clones of, say, the Beatles had appeared somewhere out there, they would have received 150 years in prison each.
– Who plays in your band now?
– I recruited young guys a year ago. Someone from the conservatory, someone I heard on the recording and invited. They share their young energy with me, and in return they receive the experience of an older comrade.
– Do you perform songs from the repertoire of that very first “Blue Bird”?
- Necessarily. All the “golden” hits of S. Dyachkov, V. Dobrynin, Yu. Antonov. These songs are the basis of our concerts.
– How can you determine the style in which your group works?
– This is not disco, not rock and roll, not pop... Although, why not. Pop music – what is it? Popular music. We're playing her, right? But the best definition was once given by Robert Bolotny: “We have lyrical rock!” It's unclear, but beautiful.
– How much more popular can your work be, judging by the perception of the songs by listeners?
- I think for a long time. People from 17 to... come to us and take autographs. There are a lot of young people in the halls. They sign the discs. By the way, a new one should be released in mid-April. The records are selling very well. In general, everything is fine.
PS Latest news about the Blue Bird clones.
We had already said goodbye to Sergei Drozdov, when suddenly: “Natalya, do you know that tomorrow (March 22 – author’s note) the group “Blue Bird” is performing in Gomel, my hometown? The ideological inspirer of the deception is Sergei Arabadzhi and his comrades. People! This is no “Blue Bird”! You are being deceived!
HELP "EN"
"Blue bird"
- vocal and instrumental ensemble of the 80s era. It was founded in 1975 by brothers Robert and Mikhail Bolotny. Worked at the Kuibyshev Philharmonic. The main voice and informal leader of the ensemble was Sergei Drozdov (guitar, vocals), the first performer of the song “Maple”, the calling card of the Blue Bird VIA. In 1976, the group’s first EP was released on Melodiya, the first tour took place in Moscow, and the first appearance on central television. Since 1977, cooperation with famous composers began. Such hits were created as “I Don’t Dream of You,” “Bitter,” “Mom’s Record,” etc. Already in 1977-1978, the musicians recorded two giant discs, “From Heart to Heart.” In the early 80s, the group released several more records, one of which consisted almost entirely of songs by Yuri Antonov. The last three vinyls were released in the late 80s, when interest in VIA's music gradually began to subside. In total, throughout the history of its existence, “Blue Bird” has released 8 giant vinyl discs, 2 giant compilations, 11 minions. All records sold multi-million copies. In 1991, the ensemble disbanded.
Episodes of life
Sergei Drozdov was very sensitive to the fact that the Samara team, from which he had once left, continued to call itself “Blue Bird”. Firstly, in that team there is no one from the legendary first line-up, and secondly, Drozdov was rightfully considered the “voice” of the team. Therefore, he continued to perform with young musicians, whom he took into his group, under the name “Blue Bird” and claimed that he was the original, and the Samara musicians were fakes.
Sergei Drozdov defended the glorious name of his team until the end of his life
Brief information in numbers
Soloist of VIA “Blue Bird” Alexander Drozdov provides the following information about himself:
- Place of residence: Moscow.
- Height – 190 cm.
- Weight – 80 kg.
- Occupation - professional concert activity, since 1999 - soloist of the ensemble "Blue Bird".
- Hair/eye color – light brown/green.
- Age – 57 years.
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