Alla Pugacheva | |
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Born |
Alla Borisovna Pugacheva April 15, 1949 Moscow, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union |
Alma mater | Russian Academy of Theatre Arts |
Occupation | Singer, composer, actress |
Years active | 1965-present |
Height | 1.62 m (5 ft 4 in) |
Title | People's Artist of the USSR (1991) |
Spouse(s) |
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Children | 3 |
Parent(s) | Boris Mikhailovich Pugachev (father) Zinaida Arkhipovna Odegova (mother) |
Awards | |
Signature | |
Alla Borisovna Pugacheva (Russian: Алла Борисовна Пугачёва; sometimes transcribed in English as Pugachova, Russian pronunciation: [pʊɡɐˈtɕɵvə]; born 15 April 1949), is а Soviet and Russian musical performer. Her career started in 1965 and continues to this day. For her "clear mezzo-soprano and a full display of sincere emotions", she enjoys an iconic status across the former Soviet Union as the most successful Soviet performer in terms of record sales and popularity.
She became a Meritorious Artist of the Russian SFSR in 1980, People's Artist of the Russian SFSR in 1985 and People's Artist of the USSR in 1991. She represented Russia in the Eurovision Song Contest 1997.
Pugacheva was born to Boris Mikhailovich Pugachëv and Zinaida Arkhipovna (née Odegova) Pugachëv in Moscow, on 15 April 1949. In 1956, she enrolled in music school №31, and attended the Ippolitov-Ivanov music college. She went on to study at school №496, finishing her studies there in 1964. She then studied in the choral-conducting department of the college. Pugacheva recorded her first track "Robot" in 1965, for a morning programme on Radio Yunost.
Pugacheva finished college in 1966 and subsequently toured with the group Yunost' (Youth) in Western Siberia. The following year she began working as a piano accompanist at the State Circus Musical college. She provided the leading vocals to a number of bands, including Novy Elektron (New Electron), part of the Lipetsk State Philharmonic Society, in 1966, Moskvichi (Muscovites) in 1971, Oleg Lundstrem's band in 1972-73, and Vesyolye Rebyata (Merry Folks) in 1974-75. She recorded songs throughout that period for numerous movies.