Mike Naumenko

Mike Naumenko (Russian: Майк Нау́менко, born Mikhail Vasilyevich Naumenko, 18 April 1955 – 27 August 1991)[1] was a Soviet rock and blues-rock musician, singer-songwriter, the leader of Zoopark rock group.

Born in Leningrad, in the 1970s he was a member of the Russian rock group Akvarium, and in 1981 he formed Zoopark, which became one of the most outstanding blues rock groups of USSR.[2] Naumenko is considered one of the best lyricists of Russian rock, although drawing heavily on Bob Dylan and other UK/US songwriters, and occasionally retaining the original melody as well. Some of Naumenko's songs are more or less faithful translations or remakes of English language source material (the notions of copyright and plagiarism being hardly established in the Soviet Union, especially as regards works created on the other side of the Iron Curtain). Largely imitative, Naumenko's input was yet very significant as he adapted the Western rock tradition to Russian culture and the urban realities of Leningrad.[3][4]

Early years

Naumenko studied at a "school with an intensive English-language program" in Leningrad, where he got his stage name, "Mike".[5]

The first time he got interested in music was at the age of eight when he had heard music by the Beatles playing from the street, standing on his balcony. The first he took an interest in were the Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Jefferson Airplane; besides he collected articles from magazines concerning T. Rex, the Doors and David Bowie. At the age of 15, he started playing guitar and writing his first songs. His song lyrics were in English first, but in 1972-1973 he switched to Russian under the influence of his friend, Boris Grebenshikov.[5][6]

Naumenko's lyrical muse has been identified as the Leningrad artist Tatyana Apraksina, as reflected in songs such as "Sweet N," "If It Rains," "Your River's Blues" and "Morning for Two".[7] According to Naumenko, in a late interview, "All my songs are dedicated to her."[8]

Legacy

Naumenko died in Leningrad in August 1991, at the age of 36.[1] His memory has been honored with numerous tribute albums (see Discography below) and in other creative works including a 2009 novel and an "blues opera" that premiered in 2011.[3] A collection of Naumenko's complete writings — including his samizdat translation of Richard Bach's Illusions — is being prepared for publication in 2015.[3]

Discography

with Zoopark

Solo

Tributes

References

  1. 1 2 Thedeadrockstarsclub.com - accessed October 20, 2011
  2. ↑ Rybin A., Startsev A., Eds. and authors, with A. Lipnitsky. Mike from Zoopark (In Russian). Tver: Lean, 1996. ISBN 5-85929-004-7
  3. 1 2 3 Chernov, Sergey. Unexposed genius: Musicians will gather this week to remember the late Zoopark singer Mike Naumenko. The St. Petersburg Times. April 18, 2012
  4. ↑ Urban, Michael, with Andrei Evdokimov. Russia Gets the Blues: Music, Culture, and Community in Unsettled Times. Ithaca and London: Cornell University Press, 2004. P. 32, 90, 93. ISBN 0-8014-4229-X
  5. 1 2 "Нет смысла представлять Майка Науменко (interview with Mike Naumenko)". April 1988.
  6. ↑ "Майк о Майке (1981 год) (interview with Mike Naumenko)". журнал "Зеркало" ("Zerkalo" magazine). 1981.
  7. ↑ Mak, Vladimir. Apraksin Blues (in Russian). Vesti daily newspaper/Nautilus portal. November 29, 2012
  8. ↑ Kushnir, Alexander. Mike, "Sweet N and Others" - from 100 Cassette Albums of Soviet Rock. (in Russian)

External links

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