Biography
Who is Valery Meladze?
Early life and education
Valery Meladze was born on June 23, 1965, in Batumi, Russia, to parents Shota and Nelly. He grew up alongside an older brother, Konstantin, and a younger sister named Liana. During his childhood, he attended a local music school where he learned to play the piano. After completing his school education in 1983, he decided to follow his family background in engineering. He moved to Ukraine to enter the Nikolayev Shipbuilding Institute, where he studied marine power plant engineering.
While studying at the institute, his musical path shifted when his brother Konstantin joined a group called April as a keyboard player. Valery soon joined the same band to perform as a back-up vocalist. Although that specific group did not stay together for long, it marked the beginning of his path into the music industry.
Career beginnings and rise to fame
In 1989, an album created by the Meladze brothers with the group April reached Kim Breitburg, a member of the Soviet rock band Dialog. Breitburg appreciated Valery's voice and invited him to become the lead singer, while Konstantin joined as a songwriter. This partnership led to the release of the band's album Poseredine Mira in 1991. Following the disbandment of Dialog, Valery launched his solo career in 1993 with the help of producer Evgeniy Friedland, recording the track Ne Trevoz Mne Dushu Skripka.
After receiving an invitation from Alla Pugacheva to perform at a Moscow concert event, Valery released his debut solo album titled Sera under the Souz label. The title track achieved significant popularity alongside songs like Poseredine Leta and Noch Pered Rozdestvom. Over the following years, he released further albums including Posledniy romantik and Samba Belogo Motilka, establishing himself firmly within the Russian music scene.
Later career and collaborations
In 2000, the Meladze brothers founded the pop group VIA Gra. Valery later collaborated with the group on popular tracks such as Prityazeniya Bolshe Net and Okean I Tri Reki. He continued releasing successful solo material, including his fifth album Nega in 2003, which featured popular tracks like C'est la vie and Ya Nogu Bez Tebya. Throughout his career, he has received numerous recognitions, including the Merited Artist of Russia title and the People's Artist of the Chechen Republic honor.
In addition to his studio albums and live performances, Valery has participated in various television and film projects. He voiced a character in the animated project Neznajka Na Lune and took part in the First Channel production 10 songs of Moscow. Alongside his music career, he and his brother also served as producers for Fabrika Zvezd-7 in 2007.
Family and personal life
Valery married an engineer named Irina in Batumi in the summer of 1989. Together, they had three daughters named Inga, Sofia, and Arina. The couple ultimately divorced in 2014. Later that same year, he married Albina in Moscow. Valery and Albina have three children together, consisting of two sons named Konstantin and Luka, and a daughter named Agate.
Birthday and age
Valery Meladze was born on June 23, 1965, which makes Valery 61 years old today. That birthday falls under the Cancer sign. Valery shares the date with 59 other famous people.
Explore more
