Biography
Who is Valery Leontiev?
Early life
Valery Leontiev was born on March 19, 1949, in the village of Ust-Usa in Russia's Komi Republic. His family later relocated in 1961 to the city of Yuryevets located in Ivanovo Oblast, where he spent a portion of his youth before beginning his artistic pursuits. Growing up in these regions shaped his early background before he transitioned into the entertainment industry.
His formal training included attending the Saint Petersburg State University of Culture and Arts. This educational foundation helped prepare him for a lifelong career in the performing arts, encompassing singing, dancing, acting, and composing.
Rise to fame
Valery Leontiev made his first appearance on a major stage in 1971 at a regional competition in Vorkuta called Song-71, where he performed the song Carnaval and secured second place. A decade later, in 1981, he won a popularity prize at the Yerevan-81 music festival. American journalists covering the event noticed his expressive performance style and compared him to Mick Jagger.
During the 1980s, he built a big following through extensive touring and popular concert programs. He performed at venues like the Moscow Variety Theatre and Leningrad's Oktyabrsky Big Concert Hall. His 1985 concert program titled Alone with all became a cultural hit, drawing big ticket queues on central Leningrad streets that temporarily halted local traffic.
Career highlights and awards
Throughout his decades-long career, Valery Leontiev recorded more than 30 albums, many of which achieved multi-million sales figures. In 1991, he received recognition as the Best Selling Soviet Artist at the World Music Awards in Monte Carlo. His ambitious concert productions included the 1993 show Full Moon and the 1994 show Beauty and Casanova, which featured a symphony orchestra and actress Gina Lollobrigida.
His contributions to music and culture earned him numerous prestigious honors. He received the title of People's Artist of the Russian Federation in 1996, and later was awarded the Order of Honour, the Order of Friendship, and multiple classes of the Order For Merit to the Fatherland. In March 1998, a nominal star was dedicated to him on Star Square in Moscow, and he received a Living Legend Award at the Ovation music awards in 1999.
Birthday and age
Valery Leontiev was born on March 19, 1949, which makes Valery 77 years old today. That birthday falls under the Pisces sign. Valery shares the date with 19 other famous people.
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