“Recluse” Leontyev leaves the stage: what is behind the artist’s decision

People’s Artist of Russia Valery Leontyev decided to leave the stage, he said REN TV concert director of the star Boris Chigirev. The singer ends his musical career beautifully. Leontiev’s departure from the stage became known on March 19, the day of his 75th birthday. As journalists noted, the performer of the hits “Hang Gliding,” “Casanova” and “Margarita” has long become a recluse. Since the beginning of 2022, Leontyev has not given concerts, rarely given interviews and refused to participate in musical events.

Why did Valery Leontyev decide to leave the stage? What do you remember about the famous artist of the 80s and how does he live now? We’ll tell you in our material.

“My genre does not tolerate decrepitude”

People’s Artist of Russia Valery Leontyev decided to leave the stage, he said REN TV concert director of the singer Boris Chigirev. According to him, Leontyev himself believes that he has already worked enough on the domestic stage.

“In fact, this is just a statement of fact. He left the stage quite a long time ago and does not work at concerts, does not participate anywhere. He has finished working,” – said Chigirev.

Leontyev’s departure from the stage was officially announced on his 75th birthday, March 19. On the eve of the anniversary, Valery Yakovlevich told reporters that he was leaving the stage “without farewell concerts, snot and tears.” According to him, the genre he was involved in “does not tolerate decrepitude.”

How Valery Leontyev lives now

According to media reports, the star of the 80s and 90s has long become a recluse. Journalists claim that since the beginning of 2022, Leontyev has not given concerts in Russia, almost never given interviews, and refuses to participate in musical events. According to Komsomolskaya Pravda, Valery Yakovlevich now lives in the States with his wife Lyudmila Isakovich. From time to time, the singer flies to his homeland and, allegedly, usually spends a couple of months in Moscow – on business, communicating with friends and relaxing. Thus, it was reported that in the fall Leontyev supervised the renovation of his apartment in the capital.

In 2021, as close friends of Leontyev said, the singer underwent two operations. Due to health problems, he even missed a music award.

“Painful knees have been bothering him since the beginning of the 2000s. Then, during a concert, while performing complex dance steps, he injured the meniscus on one leg, and soon on the other. Apparently, old injuries made themselves felt,” – said the source.

Over the past few years, the people’s artist has undergone medical treatment: he recovered from knee surgery, and removed the consequences of unsuccessful blepharoplasty and facelift. Fans admitted that Leontyev looks great for his age and is cheerful on stage.

According to journalists, sometimes the popular singer gives private concerts. This winter, a video of the star’s performance at a private party in Dubai appeared on the Internet. However, after the event, representatives of Valery Yakovlevich stated that the artist “sang at a friend’s party and could not refuse,” KP writes.

Biography of People’s Artist Valery Leontyev

Family and childhood

Valery Yakovlevich was born in 1949 in the village of Ust-Usa, Komi Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic. The parents of the future artist were veterinarians and reindeer herders. From a young age, Leontiev lived by music – he sang in the choir and studied piano at a music school. In 1961, his family moved to the city of Yuryevets in the Ivanovo region.

As Valery himself recalled, in his youth he managed to work as a postman, a tailor and even a welder. Then he entered the Vorkuta Mining Institute and, after studying there for a while, finally realized that “the only possible form of existence” for him was stage and music.

“Emotions were rushing out, I wanted shocks”

In 1971, Leontyev made his debut with the song “Carnival” at a regional competition in Vorkuta. He was a soloist of the ensembles “Echo” and “Dreamers”. Among the young artists of that time, Valery stood out clearly. The singer appeared on stage in flowing blouses, overalls, silver skinnies and wore high-heeled shoes. Over time, extravagant costumes became his specialty. According to Valery, he designed and sewed most of the stage outfits himself. Soon in the West the artist was nicknamed “Russian Michael Jackson.”

“I wanted revolutions, shocks, emotions rushed out and demanded images, costumes, unexpected decisions, and, of course, a shock to the public,” – admitted Leontyev.

The singer’s image was called unique: a combination of rock and roll and oriental motifs, mesh, short shorts, torn T-shirts and biker jackets. Valery Yakovlevich, according to his fans, has always been able to challenge stereotypes.

Peak of popularity, awards and bright hits

In the 1980s, Valery was awarded the Grand Prix at the popular Golden Orpheus song festival. The artist’s popularity began to grow at breakneck speed. After this, Leontiev’s first solo concerts took place in Moscow and the records “The Discs Are Spinning” and “Dancing Hour in the Sun” were released. And thanks to the composer Raymond Pauls, the music for the songs “Green Light”, “Years of Wandering”, “Eclipse of the Heart”, “Sunny Days Have Disappeared” was born.

During his musical career, Leontiev released more than 20 albums and was recognized as singer of the year 11 times. Some records sold millions of copies. The collection of timeless hits includes: “Hang Gliding”, “Casanova”, “Augustine”, “Everyone Wants to Love”, “Berry”, “Don’t Forget Me” and “Margarita”.

In 2005, Leontyev was awarded the Order of Merit for the Fatherland; his list of achievements also includes other awards.

Leontyev invariably appeared on stage surrounded by his ballet. He admitted that he felt uncomfortable without dancers. As fans noticed, Valery always gave his best at concerts, just like at the very beginning of his career.

“I tried it differently, my colleagues advised me: “Why are you wet as a mouse after every concert? You’ll burn. Work by percentages, by percentages of popularity. Easier, more gentle.” Honestly, I tried – nothing works. I’m dying of boredom, I think: why did I go out and when will this end? No. You have to work as hard as you can. Only then and tomorrow will they buy tickets for you, even though you I came to the city for the 52nd time,” convinced people’s artist.