Childhood and youth
Nikolai Rastorguev was born on February 21, 1957 in the village of Bykovo near Moscow into a simple working-class family. Father Vyacheslav Nikolaevich earned his living by turning the steering wheel, and mother Maria Alexandrovna was an unsurpassed seamstress, who after the birth of her daughter began working at home.
Singer Nikolai Rastorguev
Rastorguev began to dream of a musical career as a child, after the boy saw the famous film “A Hard Day’s Night,” where he first met the legendary British group The Beatles. Stylish guys singing simple tunes won the heart of the future musician, and soon, together with other boys from the yard, he began to imagine himself in their place. The guys took guitars and tried to compose music, but it didn’t work out.
Nikolai’s dream did not find a response in the soul of his mother, who never tired of repeating to her son that his hearing was far from musical. But even this did not stop the boy from performing for some time as a vocalist in a musical ensemble.
Nikolai Rastorguev in childhood
After school, where the guy graduated with C grades, his parents persuaded their son to enter the Moscow Technological Institute of Light Industry. Studying did not inspire Nikolai at all; he soon began to skip classes, preferring the company of friends and entertainment. He did not take into account the integrity and responsibility of the headman, who regularly reported to the dean about students who did not show up for classes.
Rastorguev tried to resolve this issue, but overdid it - the headman ended up in the hospital, and the university teaching staff harbored a grudge against the guy. The future artist failed the next session and was expelled from the institute.
Nikolai Rastorguev in his youth
Rastorguev was ready to give 2 years of military service. He saw himself in the ranks of the Airborne Forces, but his dreams were not destined to come true: the guy did not pass the medical examination. The young man’s education and knowledge were enough to get a job as a mechanic at the Aviation Institute.
Music
The lack of musical education and serious experience did not prevent Nikolai Rastorguev from realizing his childhood dream and becoming a vocalist in several youth groups. In 1978, he became a member of the popular ensemble “Six Young”, famous in the early 70s of the VIA. At that time, there was a serious change in composition in the group, and it was not difficult for Nikolai to make friends with the new members. “Six Young” participated in concerts of Vladimir Vysotsky, which allowed the young performer to learn music and stage art from the example of the legendary artist.
Nikolai Rastorguev and the group “Six Young”
In 1980, they were joined by the still unknown vocalist Valery Kipelov, whose name some time later will be familiar to every lover of Russian rock.
The composition with Rastorguev was a success with listeners, and he soon became famous. Taking advantage of the popularity and recognition of the soloists of the group “Six Young”, in 1980 the new director of the ensemble “Leisya, Song” invited the entire group to join him.
The talent of the guys, together with the serious, creative approach of Vitaly Kretov, made the band “Leisya, Song” popular, and their song “Wedding Ring” was heard on the radio for a long time.
Nikolai Rastorguev as part of the group “Leisya, song”
However, the ensemble was accountable to the Kemerovo Philharmonic and had to comply with the norms and standards prescribed by the state. Their non-compliance - failure to pass the mandatory program - led to the abolition of the team in 1985.
Rastorguev found himself on his own, but did not plan to give up his dream. Already in those years, he began to nurture the idea of his own team, but decided that the time had not yet come, and began going to auditions. The singer was interested in the group “Singing Hearts”, but they refused the talented and experienced soloist. Until 1989, Nikolai was the bass guitarist of the group “Rondo” and the vocalist of the group “Hello, Song!”
Nikolay Rastorguev and Igor Matvienko
In 1989, fate brought Rastorguev together with the talented composer Igor Matvienko. Their views on the future team completely coincided, which marked the beginning of a fruitful and successful union.
The name “Lube” was invented by Nikolai himself; as a child, he often heard various slang words, among them was the word “Lube”, which, in essence, meant “different”. It most accurately characterized the essence of the group, their diversity in styles and genres of performance. A new stage began in the musician’s creative biography, which brought him all-Union and then all-Russian fame.
Nikolai Rastorguev and the Lyube group
The group became successful literally from the first minutes of their appearance on television; on the night of April 14, they performed the song “Old Man Makhno” live, which brought popularity to the ensemble and their permanent leader Rastorguev. When creating “Lube”, Nikolai did not even hope for such success; he did not imagine that his creation would interest listeners for 30 years.
Nikolay Rastorguev and the group “Lube” - “Beyond the Fogs”
The memorable stage image of the soloist was helped to create by the Diva Alla Pugacheva herself, who considered that military-themed songs would go wonderfully with the soloist in a tunic and riding breeches. The artist heeded his colleague’s advice, and soon the entire group appeared on stage in a military role, as evidenced by early photos and video recordings of their performances. The uniform fit the stocky, densely built vocalist (Nikolai’s height is 168 cm, weight – 70-80 kg) like a glove.
Nikolai Rastorguev on stage
Hits from the first albums of the musical group “Atas”, “Don’t be a fool, America!” were heard literally from every window of the vast homeland. The songs “There Behind the Fogs”, “Little Sister”, “Taganskaya Station”, “Horse” and others, which were repeatedly awarded the prestigious Russian music award “Golden Gramophone”, were popular.
Nikolai Rastorguev and the group “Lube” - “Horse”
Rastorguev became famous, and his services were recognized by the state: in 1997 he received the title “Honored Artist of the Russian Federation”, and 5 years later he became a People’s Artist.
Later, tracks from the discs “Lube Zone” and “Kombat” enjoyed success with the public. And in the new century, the collections “Half Stations”, “Come on for...”, “Guys of Our Regiment” were released.
Nikolai Rastorguev and Sergei Bezrukov - “Birches”
The popular performer pleases the audience not only with solo compositions: in a duet with Sofia Rotaru in 1998, Nikolai Rastorguev presented the hit “Zasentyabrilo”. Later there were the songs “Birches”, which the artist sang together with Sergei Bezrukov, “Long” with Lyudmila Sokolova.
Nikolai Rastorguev and Ekaterina Guseva - “Long”
The second composition was performed in a duet with Ekaterina Guseva at Rastorguev’s anniversary concert on the occasion of his 55th birthday. And 5 years later, the group “Lube” and Alexander Marshal presented the hit “Tulupchik Hare”.
The heat of the brave. Documentary filmmaker Alexander Rastorguev died
| Photo from the official website of the Laurel Branch award / lavrdoc.ru |
Director Alexander Rastorguev, journalist Orkhan Dzhemal and cameraman Kirill Radchenko were killed in the Central African Republic (CAR), where they went a few days ago to film a film about a private military.
For documentarian Rastorguev, as well as for his colleagues, this business trip was not the first trip to a hot spot - one of the key works in his filmography, “Clean Thursday” (2003), is dedicated to the war in Chechnya. More precisely, the soldiers, the fates of people caught in a meat grinder and living on the edge of life and death. And what is not a hot spot - Russia, covered by the protest movement in 2011-2013? About her is a joint documentary project by Alexander Rastorguev, Pavel Kostomarov and Alexey Pivovarov “Term”. Released with the subtitle “The Beginning of a Big Story,” filmed, edited, composed of many shots and interviews, with the uncompromising belief that this is truly the beginning. Whatever happens, “The Deadline” will remain the most important document of the era, a brave, in the spirit of its authors, a chronicle of the heroes and heroism of our time.
People make history - in every work of Rastorguev they are always the center of attention. Whether it’s the Rostov guys who allegedly got their hands on police cameras and are filming their lives - another documentary experiment jointly with Kostomarov, directed in such a way that the characters themselves write the “script”, and therefore unpredictable, honest, real. Or “The Heat of the Tender,” on which Rastorguev worked together with Vitaly Mansky, a bitter, at times almost absurdist comedy about the life of the Russian coast, a place whose inhabitants today participate in beach orgies, and tomorrow they watch the official visit of the president to the Eaglet camp. . Both here and there, in spite of everything, there is a place for healthy irony, but, importantly, it does not develop into cynicism. Rastorguev’s cinema is observant and investigative, curious and courageous, filmed with love, passion, sympathy (whether it has a minus or a plus sign) for the characters, it tells and shows – a patchwork canvas of images and stories, like Russian reality itself. From which, in the end, it turns out to put together a coherent picture of reality.
Without speculation, as befits a true documentary - and it wouldn’t hurt to learn about feature cinema. That is why Alexander Rastorguev should be called a director without prefixes that define the genre or type of cinema, but with a capital D. One who, this time too, was not afraid to go to one of the most dangerous places in the world - who else, if not him. And it would probably turn out to be a great movie. And will there really be no one else?
"NG"
Movies
Nikolai is also known as a film actor. His career began with a recording of Voznesensky's concert, where he performed with the Rondo group in 1985. In the next film, the artist also appeared before the audience in the image of himself. The film “Lube Zone” directed by Dmitry Zolotukhin was entirely dedicated to the work of the group and their songs. Each composition revealed the story of several people who were influenced by the group in one way or another.
Nikolai Rastorguev in the musical film “Old songs about the main thing”
From 1996 to 1997, Rastorguev took part in the filming of the musical television project “Old Songs about the Main Thing,” where he played several comic roles. Later, given the artist’s image, he was often invited to appear in military or crime films. In the film "Check" the actor played the full role of detective Gennady Rastorguev.
Nikolai Rastorguev in the film “Lyudmila Gurchenko”
In 2020, a large-scale musical project was launched in memory of the great Soviet actress Lyudmila Gurchenko. In the film called “Lyudmila Gurchenko” it was planned to appear in the image of the actor and singer Mark Bernes, who was played by the permanent lead singer of the group “Lube”. The series premiered in the fall of 2015.
Early career
Alexander Rastorguev was born in June 1971. He was born in Rostov-on-Don. Graduated from the Faculty of Philology of the local state university. He received his second higher education at the State Academy of Theater Arts in St. Petersburg. He was awarded his diploma in 1999.
At the beginning of his career, Alexander Rastorguev worked as a director at the Don-TR State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company. In 2003, he found himself at the center of a scandal when he was fired along with the entire film crew for filming the documentary Maundy Thursday.
This is an amazing picture, at the very beginning of which we see an old steam locomotive standing on sidings near Grozny. Several carriages are attached to it. The locomotive produces steam, and the carriages are equipped with a bathhouse in which soldiers and officers wash and wash clothes. According to the authors, the bathhouse becomes not only an occasion to cleanse the body, but also the soul. In the continuous burning of fuel, sinful and righteous, bravura stories about military exploits and home, youthful bragging and the cruel truth of life are surprisingly mixed. Confessional stories about what is happening in Chechnya coexist next to salty jokes. The main idea that the authors are trying to convey is that everyone who has been to war comes away from it as a completely different person.
Personal life
The popular performer was married twice. Nikolai got married for the first time in his early youth, when he was 19 years old and his bride was 18. The chosen one of the future stage star was Valentina Titova, a neighbor in the yard. The friendship between them began in high school. It was a case of first love leading to marriage. After the wedding, the young people lived in the apartment of Valentina’s parents, and later rented a room in a communal apartment. The couple immediately thought about children - the first-born Pavel appeared in the family.
Nikolai Rastorguev with his first wife
This marriage lasted 15 years. Talking about his personal life, the singer explains that he does not remember being single, because immediately after his divorce from Valentina, Nikolai took Natalya, his second chosen one, to the registry office.
The artist’s bride worked as a costume designer in the musical group “Zodchie”, which was on tour with the group “Lube”, performing as an opening act. The wedding celebration took place in 1990. In 1994, their boy Nikolai was born.
Nikolai Rastorguev with his wife and son
Rastorguev lives with his family in a country house near Moscow. The eldest son Pavel gave his father a granddaughter, Sophia. Nikolai was informed that he had become a grandfather when the Lyube group gave a concert in London. At first, the singer could not get used to his new status; now his grandfather and Sonya are best friends. The girl is an excellent student at school, attends an art studio and a music school.
Nikolai Rastorguev with his granddaughter
Nikolai Rastorguev is friends with the family of actors Dmitry Pevtsov and Olga Drozdova and even became the godfather of their son Elisey Pevtsov. A significant event occurred in 2009.
In 2006, Nikolai Vyacheslavovich entered politics, joining the United Russia party. The artist believes that this is the only political force capable of bringing order to the country and raising it to a new level. Since 2010, he has been a current deputy of the State Duma of Russia.
Deputy Nikolai Rastorguev
In 2007, Nikolai Rastorguev began to feel unwell. An examination at the clinic revealed that he had advanced renal failure, which required constant hemodialysis. While waiting in line for a kidney transplant, the artist did not stop his creative activities and continued touring the cities of Russia. The only limitation was the availability of the necessary equipment in the clinics.
2 years after the disease was discovered, Nikolai underwent a kidney transplant. In 2015, Rastorguev continued treatment in Israel.
Nikolay Rastorguev now
In 2020, Nikolai Rastorguev received an offer from the creators of the military drama “We Will Not Say Goodbye” to perform the soundtrack of the same name for the film. The song was recorded, and soon a video appeared, based on footage from the film.
Nikolay Rastorguev - “We won’t say goodbye”
This is not the artist’s first work as a performer of musical compositions for films. The singer’s voice can be heard in the previously filmed films “The Dawns Here Are Quiet”, “August. Eighth", "Admiral" and many others.
Nikolay Rastorguev in 2020
In 2020, Rastorguev pleased fans with his appearance on television in New Year’s programs. Nikolai took part in concerts shown on Channel One and NTV.
On free bread
After this, director Alexander Rastorguev collaborated for some time with the St. Petersburg editorial office of the NTV channel, and in 2001 he organized his own studio, called “Kino”.
At the same time, he remained to live and work in Rostov-on-Don. As a director, he directed two well-known films in collaboration with Pavel Kostomarov - “I Love You” and “I Don’t Love You” in 2010 and 2012, respectively.
The first film was an original experiment, the filming of which involved non-professional actors. About 1,700 people took part in the casting; the winners of the selection received cameras and the task of filming themselves.
The first film "I Love You" contains two parts. In the first, entitled “Audiovisual Recording,” viewers at the very beginning learn about the order of the Rostov head of the Internal Affairs Directorate to strengthen measures against corruption, and therefore decide to begin audiovisual recording of all investigative activities. Following are shots from the life of an ordinary criminal inspector employee.
Then the camera allegedly becomes stolen, it falls into the hands of young people, and the second part of “Operational Materials” begins. This is a home video in which viewers watch the lives of ordinary guys - they drive cars, quarrel with girls, walk around the city, and try to make money. Many people flaunt their cynical attitude towards girls. At the end of the picture, one of the heroes goes to the army.
The film was included in the main program of several foreign festivals, including in Holland and France. After this success, Alexander Rastorguev’s photo began to appear regularly in specialized cinematographic publications.
