Nikolay Rastorguyev

Nikolay Rastorguyev
Nikolay Rastorguyev with Vladimir Putin, February 22, 2007
Born	Nikolay Vyacheslavovich Rastorguyev (1957-02-21) February 21, 1957 (age 60) Bykovo, Moscow Oblast, Soviet Union
Occupation	Singer, Deputy of the Russian State Duma
Years active	1978-present
Title	People's Artist of Russia (2002)
Awards	Order "For Merit to the Fatherland" (4th class) Order of Honour

Nikolay Vyacheslavovich Rastorguyev (Russian: Николай Вячеславович Расторгуев; born February 21, 1957, Bykovo, Moscow Oblast, Soviet Union) is the lead singer of the Russian group Lyube.

In 1978, Nikolay was the soloist for the band (VIA in Russian) "Шестеро молодых," but his first note came during his 1980-1985 stint in the band "Лейся, песня (in English, Lyeysya, Pyesnya)." There he befriended Valery Kipelov, who later to from Aria. After Leysya Pesnya split, Rastorguyev spent a year in the band Rondo before joining newly formed Lyube. Since then, Nikolay remains the band's only permanent member.

He has also starred in a couple of movies and released a solo English language album.

In 1997, Rastorguyev was given the honorary title People's Artist of Russia. On the occasion of his 50th birthday, Russian President Vladimir Putin awarded Nikolay with the state order "For Merit to the Fatherland," Fourth class, and became a member of the Russian Duma in 2010.

In March 2014 Rastorguyev signed a letter in support of the position of the President of Russia Vladimir Putin on the situation in Ukraine and Crimea. For "statements contradicted the interests of our national security" he was then banned from entering Ukraine. Crimea since March 2014 is under dispute between Russia and Ukraine.