Music · Film · Literature · 1938–1980
Born: 25 January 1938 · Died: 25 July 1980 · Age at death: 42
Vladimir Vysotsky died aged 42. He was born on 25 January 1938 and died on 25 July 1980.
Soviet singer-songwriter, poet and Taganka Theatre actor whose raw guitar ballads were adored by millions despite official disapproval
Did you know?Despite his enormous popularity, his music was never officially promoted by the state media during his lifetime.
Vladimir Vysotsky was the voice of everyday Soviet life. With a raw, rasping voice and a seven-string guitar, he sang about soldiers, prisoners, sailors and drunks. His songs were rarely released officially but were copied on tape recorders across the country. He was also a great actor at Moscow's Taganka Theatre. His Hamlet, played in jeans with a guitar, was legendary. He married the French actress Marina Vlady. He died at 42, and huge crowds came to his funeral despite the Olympics.
Vladimir Semyonovich Vysotsky (25 January 1938 – 25 July 1980) was a Soviet singer, songwriter, poet and actor who had an immense and enduring effect on Soviet culture. He became widely known for his unique singing style and for his lyrics, which featured social and political commentary in often-humorous street jargon.
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Profile
Soviet singer and actor, 1938–1980
Vladimir Vysotsky was born in Moscow on 25 January 1938.
He joined the Taganka Theatre in 1964.
He played Hamlet from 1971.
He married Marina Vlady in 1970.
Career highlights
Did you know?Huge crowds gathered for his funeral during the 1980 Moscow Olympics.
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