Vesyolye Rebyata

Vesyolye Rebyata

Company type	Musical group
Industry	Music
Founded	1968 in Moscow, Soviet Union
Founder	Pavel Slobodkin
Defunct	2017
Headquarters	Moscow , Soviet Union / Russia
Products	Music albums, live performances
Website	http://www.veselyerebjata.ru/

Vesyolye Rebyata (, translated as "Merry Lads") was a Soviet VIA ensemble established in Moscow in 1968. It rose to prominence as one of the most acclaimed and commercially successful VIA groups, with its initial album reaching sales of 15,795,000 copies. The lineup included notable Soviet vocalists such as Alla Pugachova, Alexander Gradsky, and Alexander Barykin. By the year 2006, Vesyolye Rebyata had achieved cumulative record sales totaling 179,850,000.

History

The band was created in 1968 by pianist and composer Pavel Slobodkin. Their debut recording was issued in 1970 under the Soviet label Melody. In 1971, they broadened their reach by performing concerts in Czechoslovakia. One of their most recognized albums, "Love - a huge country" (), was released in 1973. In 1980, they brought out the album "We should be friends" () and took part in the cultural events surrounding the Moscow Olympics. The 1983 release "Banana islands" () further enhanced their standing in the music market.

Following their breakup in 1992, Vesyolye Rebyata reunited in 2005 with a refreshed lineup. Two albums were launched in 2007: "Love - child of the planet" () and "When we are quiet together" (). Later works included the French-titled 2011 album "Cherchez la..." and the 2012 album "Write me a letter" ().

The group ceased activity after the passing of Pavel Slobodkin in August 2017.

External links

• http://www.veselyerebjata.ru/ - official site