Biography
Willy Tokarev is the Soviet and Russian pop artist, the star of Russian emigration, the author of the popular songs "Skyscrapers", "Cranes", "And life is always beautiful," for the execution of which the "Chanson Year" awards in the nomination "Best Singer".Childhood and youth
Vilen Ivanovich Tokarev was born on November 11, 1934 in the family of hereditary Kuban Cossacks. The place of his birth was a settlement in the North Caucasus - Farm Chernyshev. His father was a true communist who passed the war and subsequently worked on a leadership position in the workshop for the production of rocket technology. The name of Son Ivan Tokarev gave in honor of the leader of the proletariat - Vilen.
Little boy Willie loved to sing Cossack songs, he even gathered a small ensemble of the same as he, boys and spoke with concerts in front of fellow villagers. Early, he began writing and poems that sometimes published in the school newspaper.
Moving to Caspian, which parents have taken after the end of the war, opened new opportunities before Willy. He began to take music lessons from local teachers. But in 1948, the young man was fascinated by a dream of overseas countries, and he settled in a fireman on a merchant vessel to travel around the world. In the years of youth, Vilen visited China, Norway, France, as well as on the African continent.
Music
Army years Tokarev spent in communication troops, and after demobilization went to conquer the northern capital. Its destination was a music school, in which Willie enrolled on the string department to the class of double bass. Metropolitan life tightened Tokarev. The young man begins to write talented musical compositions, and he is invited to work in the Orchestra Anatoly Roll, and later in the symphoduz-ensemble of Jean Tatlaan.According to the nationality of Willy Tokarev - Russian, but for emotionality and openness, as well as the scaling hair, it was often taken for the Spaniard adopted in the USSR. This version of origin was perceived by an artist as a joke, although one day the Spanish delegation arrived in the Soviet Union took the singer for the compatriot.
He gets acquainted with Boris Rychkov, for whose orchestra performs the party of double bass. Good luck for him was to cooperate with Alexander Armoredia and his wife Edita Pieche.
Jazz musicians in those years were not in honor of power, and therefore the persecution was arranged. In this regard, Willie Tokarev decided for some time to leave Leningrad away. For the new place of residence, he chose the city of Murmansk, where he began the solo career. For several years he managed to become a local star, and one of his songs "Murmanchanka" became the unlawful anthem of the peninsula for many years.
Not wanting to stop at what has been achieved, Tokarev in 40 years decides to radically change life and immigrates to the United States. As a later actover recalled in an interview, at the time of moving to America he had only $ 5 in his pocket. To carry out a dream and become a famous performer, Willy applies every effort: works in a taxi, on a construction site, delivers mail. All the collected savings he spends on the record of his own songs.
Already 5 years after the move, his first album appears "And life, it is always beautiful." It took $ 25 thousand to his release, which the singer allocated from its own savings. And after another 2 years, the collection "In Noisy Balagan" came out.
The second disc brought a musician success among the Russian-speaking population of New York and Miami. Colorful, small growth (151 cm with weight 65 kg) singer with an unusual name and large mustache begin to invite to work in Russian restaurants "Sadko", "Primorsky" and "Odessa".
In the 80s, Willy Tokarev under its own label "One Man Band" recorded more than 20 solo disks. In popularity, he competed with such artists of emigration as Luba Assumption and Mikhail Shufutinsky.
The first speech of Willy Tokareva in Russia took place in the late 80s not without the help of Alla Pugacheva. The artist gave more than 70 concerts in the cities of the Union, and Ashlags were waiting everywhere. A year later, he again repeated the triumphant tour. Star Brighton Beach begins to recognize in the homeland. The return of Willie Tokarev was a truly an epoch event that was reflected in the documentary film "So I became a rich sir and came to ESECER."
The first hits that glorified Tokareva in Russia, began the songs "Rybatskaya" and "Skyscrapers". They still have not lost popularity among the fans of Chanson. Later on the second musical composition, the artist released the clip.
In the 90s, the singer constantly runs between Moscow and New York. In 2005, Willie decides to finally settle in the capital of Russia and buys an apartment on a boiler's embankment. Next to the house, he opened a recording studio.
The most popular albums of the period were "adero", "I loved you" and "Shalom, Israel!". The famous Willie with colleagues on the shop were the song "Village", which he performed with the singer Raisa Otradnaya, and "Snowfall", Sveta in a duet with Mikhail Bondarev. The history of the life of the last artist largely repeats the biography of Willy Tokarev. Tokarev's young Bondareva met in England at a concert of emigration and convinced to move home to start a professional career. So even one talented singer Chanson in Russia has become more.
In addition to the musical career, Willie Tokarev did not refuse to appear on the television screen. In the new century, the films "Oligarch", "the consequence of experts lead to the artist as Kameo. Arbitration judge "," Captive children ". In the popular film "Day Watch" with Konstantin Khabensky, in the lead role of Willy Tokarev appeared in the guest's image at the party.
In 2014, large-scale celebrations took place over the 80th anniversary of the singer. Willy Tokarev spent concerts for fans concerts in São Paulo, Los Angeles, Moscow, Tallinn, Rostov-on-Don, Odessa. Everywhere artist was waiting for the full halls of grateful listeners.
In 2017, the Singer told the Singer on the creative plans in the "Echo of Moscow" program, and told about the family. And in the summer of 2018, Willie Tokarev became a guest of the Boris Korchevnikov program "The Fate of Man".
With the participation of Chanson's legend as a member of the jury, the third season of the TV show "Three Chord" came out. In addition to Willy Tokarev, the judiciary took Alexander Novikov, Alexander Rosenbaum, Sergey Trofimov. Tokarev took part in the final concert, performing a song from his repertoire.
Personal life
Willy Tokarev, possessing phenomenal charm and charisma, always liked women, which was reflected on his personal life. In addition to official marriages, one time lived in free swimming. The first time he married himself in Leningrad during his youth. The son was immediately born in the family, which was called Anton.
Tokarev junior went in the footsteps of his father and engaged in songwriters in the style of Chanson. In addition, he leads copyright programs on radio and local television.
The first marriage of Willy Tokarev almost immediately collapsed, and the second time to tie himself by the Uzami Gimenta Artist of Estrada decided only in 1990. With the second wife, Willy lived for a long time, despite the fact that he had a son Alex. The singer noble himself with the ex-spouses, leaving them all the jointly acquired property.
The third marriage lasted only a month, and his Tokarev never mentions in an interview.
With the fourth wife, Yulia, Bainskoy Willy, met by chance, at the metro station. The resulting acquaintance between Student Vgika and Madrah Chanson soon turned into love, and despite the difference at the age of 43, the couple went to the registry office.
In marriage with Yulia, Willy Tokarev born two children - daughter Evelyn and son Milen.
Now they learn in America, but remain Russian citizens. While Willie Tokarev toured, in the USA with children there was their mother, who, after Vgika, decided to improve the qualifications and entered the university directing and producing documentary films. The daughter of the maestro after the completion of studies at school became a student of the Medical Faculty of New York University. The girl has already started working in a prestigious clinic. Milen, in addition to study at school, stands for a youth hockey team.
Death
Willy Tokarev died on August 4, 2019. On the death of an 84-year-old artist, the press was told by his son Anton. According to the media, on the eve of the death of Willie Tokarev appealed to the Moscow Oncology Center. Friday, July 2, 2019, he was hospitalized.The relatives of the singer did not render the cause of his death.
Discography
- 1979 - "And life - it is always beautiful"
- 1981 - "In Noisy Balagan"
- 1983 - "Over Hudzon"
- 1984 - "Gold"
- 1985 - "Trump card"
- 1990 - "Hello, cute woman!"
- 1990 - "Brighton Tango"
- 1995 - "Farewell, New York"
- 2006 - "Hello, Israel!"
- 2009 - "Armenia"
- 2009 - "Echo of War"
- 2011 - "Sveta"
- 2014 - "Children of the Earth"