Hero-predictor of our time: we remember Joseph Kobzon
2 years ago
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The legendary singer would have turned 85
People’s Artist of the USSR, Deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation Iosif Kobzon died four years ago, but his name lives on and his work too. That is why the 85th anniversary of the star of the Soviet and Russian stage, politician and public figure, which falls on September 11, is celebrated with full recognition of all his merits. In particular, a monument to Joseph Kobzon appeared near Arms Lane for the anniversary, which was opened to the sound of the Russian anthem performed by the artist himself. And “MK” remembered the brightest pages of the artist’s biography.
He was a legendary performer and a real patriot. Until the last minute of his life, he served for the Motherland. And for the one where he was born – for Donetsk dear to his heart, and for Russia, which allowed him to create his great name.
Iosif Kobzon is a man who became a legend during his lifetime. An artist who could sing live for hours and get real pleasure from it, he was also a great politician. His political position was intertwined with creativity, creating this unique tandem of its kind, where it was impossible to separate the People’s Artist of the USSR from the State Duma deputy. He always went where it was hot, where it was really hard. He performed in Afghanistan during the Soviet-Afghan conflict, in Chechnya during the Chechen war. In 1986, he was the first celebrity to come to Chernobyl to support people trying to neutralize the nuclear reactor, and two years later he was also the first celebrity to visit Armenia and speak to the victims of the 1988 earthquake.
And his behavior during the terrorist attack in the theater center on Dubrovka can only be called a feat. Then Kobzon personally went to the recreation center captured by the militants for negotiations and was able to take out four hostages – three girls and their mother.
They say great artists are ahead of their time. But big politicians too: Iosif Kobzon is a clear example of this. Indeed, the United States imposed its own sanctions on him, in fact the first one – the performer was not given an American visa for many years, then he was also included in the “black list” of the European Union. And the Ukrainian authorities simply hated Kobzon fiercely: he was among the first to be on the lists of the Peacemaker website, whose representatives he called “scoundrels and obscurantists.” Moreover, Kyiv illegally deprived Kobzon of all state awards, he was deprived of the title of “honorary citizen” of a number of Ukrainian cities. But Kobzon did not flinch and refused the title of “People’s Artist of Ukraine”.
Photo: Lilia Sharlovskaya
But no matter how significant the contribution of Joseph Davydovich to politics, the public idolized him as a performer. Songs about the Motherland, about the war, heartfelt ballads performed by him were truly loved. Many have become his calling card for all time. It is difficult to imagine the same song “Moments” in someone else’s performance.
“The children were raised by their mother, she is their friend and the most trusting person. And I’m Papa Yaga. When he came from tours, he brought up the intonation of his voice. I never spanked them, I never put them in a corner, but I used to shout. And they really didn’t like it. Natasha said: “Oh! O! The baritone has arrived! But they grew up blameless: they don’t drink, they don’t smoke, they are normal people.”
Photo: From the personal archive
“I was very afraid for the children. I was afraid of everything. Especially when the son grew up. He is older than Natalia by two years. And then this era of night discos began, Nelly and I did not sleep at night, we waited for them to come from this disco at two or three in the morning. And I said: “Natalia! Aren `t you ashamed! What will the concierge think? And she answered: “I didn’t understand, do you live for the concierge or for your children? Can’t I go to the disco? And what your concierges think about can be done more successfully during the day! Give us the opportunity to live in peace! And I was afraid when my son was friends with the boys, I thought: “God forbid!”. Then an era began on the stage, so to speak, of a different orientation. And I was terribly afraid. But no, he grew up as a normal man.
Photo: From the personal archive
“Natalia gave me three granddaughters and a grandson. They are now here in Moscow. Grandson Mishka, Andrey’s son, lives with us all the time. In the morning I go to the smallest one, his name is Joseph, after me. I tell him: “Jozik, hello!”. And he waves his hand to me: “Hi!” – and we walk with him. Then I go to Mishka, but he is already big, he is now 4.5 years old, a warrior! Immediately into my pocket for a candy – and so that my mother would not see. The girls are already big and so wonderful! Smart! Michelka received the Cup of the best student of the most prestigious school in England. Previously, it was awarded only to boys, and now for the first time to a girl. She writes poetry and music. Polina plays the harp. Grandfather treats them much softer than he once did with his children. I buy them gifts, souvenirs, I go to shops with them … But they love their grandmother, she is everything for them!
Photo: From the personal archive
Iosif Kobzon also not in words, but throughout his life promoted national family values. He had a strong family, beloved children, whom he was able to raise worthy people, adored grandchildren. He idolized his mother until the last minute.
“I have one sadness that my mother left early. It’s early for me. … And when hurtful things happen, and they happen, and I am overwhelmed with either indignation, or sadness, or a depressive state appears, I go to the cemetery to my mother. I stand near her grave and mentally say: “Mom! So what should I do with these people? And I remember how she told me: “Never take revenge! Do not try to do evil, even mutual. Never! God will punish, life will punish, stay kind, and it will be much easier for you.” I can’t make the most important decisions in life without my mom.”
Photo: From the personal archive
During his lifetime, Joseph Davydovich did a lot of charity work. He gave targeted concerts, donated to the restoration of temples, helped young artists and generally tried to ensure that not a single request addressed to him was left without consideration. Today, Nelly Mikhailovna, Kobzon’s widow, continues his work to the best of her ability.
“Unlike Nellie, I don’t know how to forgive. Never. If someone insulted me, I didn’t give a damn – time passed, I forgot. But I do not forgive betrayal. Nelly says: “Listen, well, we are at the age when we already have to wear it. Goodbye!” I answer: “Here you are, goodbye! I can not”. He who betrays at least once will betray a second time. I don’t forgive traitors.”
Photo: From the personal archive
During his lifetime, Iosif Kobzon often told me about himself, his family, his attitude to work, no matter whether it was creative or political activity. And also about many domestic moments of his life. It is about the personal, intimate that I would like to recall today with his own phrases.
“I was the youngest of the boys. We were five boys and my sister was the youngest. Of course, my mother treated me and my sister with more tenderness, although she loved everyone. But she brought up very strictly, punished.
Photo: From the personal archive
“When I started smoking at 14 and got caught doing it, my mother beat me up. And then I heard my stepfather say to her very seriously: “He will just hide, but he will not quit smoking. This is not good. Let’s better allocate from our budget (and we lived very poorly) money for the cheapest cigarettes. And he came up to me and said: “Son, I really want to ask you not to smoke. But if you are already mired in this filth, then please do not hide. And so I started smoking and always remembered my father and mother at the same time.
Photo: From the personal archive
“After the 7th grade, I went to a mining technical school to free my parents from an extra mouth, and guys in soldier uniforms, miners, came there. And according to the adult tradition, the first salary, the scholarship must be washed. And they made me drink a glass of vodka. Well, of course I passed out. They carried me home on white hands. And when I woke up, I felt my mother’s broom walking around my head, all over my body. And I remembered that drinking is bad.”
Photo: From the personal archive
“I went to visit friends and saw Nelly there. And the next day I introduced her to my mother and began to call. Mom Nelly liked it right away! Such an angelic face, and then she was 20, I was 33. Mom said: “Lord, what a blessing that she is not an artist, that she is not a star, that she is just a normal girl!” I said, “Okay, mom, I’ll propose.” Well, I’ve been doing it for a long time. But he did it for a long time. I had a great relationship with my mother-in-law.”
Photo: From the personal archive
“Mom was very unhappy with both my first and second marriages. My ex-wives did not find a common language with my mother, which made me extremely upset. And she immediately fell in love with Nellie. That contributed to the strengthening of our family, especially when the children appeared. I had no children in those marriages. Mom was extremely happy. And when grandchildren appeared and great-grandchildren!
Photo: From the personal archive
“I entered the State Musical Pedagogical Institute. Gnesins. He lived in a hostel, then there were still such old two-story wooden mansions. Nine people lived in the room, and the system saved me. For September and October, all students were sent to harvest. I was a team leader, pianists and violinists worked in my team. I had the laziest potato picker David Tukhmanov. I yelled at him! He said: “Adik, well, collect at least a basket!” If, however, I had known that he would write Victory Day, I would have collected these potatoes for him myself … I worked furiously and earned at least a sack, or even a sack and a half of potatoes per season. He brought it to Moscow, put it under the bed. My fellow countryman Tolik from Dnepropetrovsk lived next to me in the room. And we agreed that we would divide our lives into two: one day he was in the kitchen, the other day I was. You could still drink tap water back then. And we had such a cast-iron frying pan in which we fried potatoes in lard sent by my mother. She sent me such a plywood box. And we fried potatoes in bacon, washed down with water from the tap and ran like hares – two trams and a trolley bus – from Trifonovskaya to Povarskaya, then it was Vorovsky Street, to study.
Photo: From the personal archive
When Julio first came to Russia, I just headed a concert organization called “Moskovit”, we invited him. It was somewhere around 96-97. He performed, then, after the concert, there was a feast at which he came up to me and said: “I want to take a picture with you.” I answer him: “Julio, I do not recommend you to do this.” He wondered, “Why?” I say: “Because the Americans refused me a visa and said that I am a mafia, that I sell weapons and drugs.” He says: “Are you a mafia?” Me: “Yes!” He asks, “How much money do you have?” I shrugged, “Well, I don’t know, what is it?” He says: “Here I have 300 million!” I am very happy for you!” He: “Do you have 300 million?” Me not”. He says: “I’m the mafia, not you!” Well, they laughed. On his next visit, I performed on stage with him, we sang “Black Eyes”, something else and somehow just became friends. And then he became a neighbor of my friend in Florida, and his son began to sing, and Julio invited him to his place. They began to perform together, and we were at their concert, and after that at a banquet. I asked: “Don’t say that I’m here,” but they said, and then Julio came up to me and kissed my hand. It doesn’t really matter.”
