Philipp Kirkorov

Philipp Kirkorov
Philipp Kirkorov and Ani Lorak in Moscow, 2009.
Background information
Birth name	Philipp Bedrosovich Kirkorov
Born	30 April 1967 (1967-04-30)
Origin	Varna, Bulgaria
Genres	Russian pop, power pop
Occupations	Singer, Songwriter
Years active	1985–present

Philipp Bedrosovich Kirkorov PAR (Bulgarian: Фи́лип Бедро́сов Кирко́ров; Russian: Фили́пп Бедро́сович Кирко́ров; born 30 April 1967 in Varna, Bulgaria) is a Bulgarian-born Russian singer and producer living and working in Moscow.

Biography

Philipp Kirkorov was born on April 30, 1967 in Varna, Bulgaria. His father is Bulgarian singer of Armenian descent Bedros Kirkorov. His mother, Victoria (née Likhacheva), is Russian. In 1984, he entered the Gnesin State Music School and graduated with honors in 1988. His musical style is generic Russian pop music with occasional Western influences and, like many Russian pop stars of the 90s and later, he frequently records duets with other artists working in the same field.

In 1994 he proposed to Alla Pugacheva, and she accepted. On January 13, the couple announced their engagement in Moscow. On March 15, the marriage was registered in St. Petersburg by then-mayor Anatoly Sobchak. On May 15 the wedding of Kirkorov and Pugacheva took place in Jerusalem. Kirkorov represented Russia in the Eurovision Song Contest 1995 held in Dublin with the song "Kolybelnaya dlya vulkana" ('Lullaby for the volcano') and finished in 17th place. He co-wrote the Belarusian entry at the Eurovision Song Contest 2007, "Work Your Magic" for Dmitry Koldun, and wrote the 2008 Ukrainian entry "Shady Lady", performed by Ani Lorak. He was also a judge in the second season of Music Idol in Bulgaria. Kirkorov makes a cameo in Verka Serduchka's video "Do Re Mi". Other than his native Bulgarian, he is fluent in Russian, and possesses great communication skills in Spanish and English.

Controversies

There are a number of media controversies surrounding Kirkorov.

The most notorious scandal followed an incident in Rostov-on-Don on 20 May 2004. At a press conference he insulted (using Russian obscene language) Irina Aroyan, a female journalist who had asked why so many of his songs were covers of American and European hits. During the ensuing discussion, Kirkorov eventually told Aroyan that he was "tired of her pink blouse, her tits, and her microphone" and demanded that she leave the room immediately. When she eventually did, his bodyguards attacked her outside and destroyed her tape recorder. The incident led to a major response and discussions in the mass media. On 11 August 2004, Kirkorov was found guilty of insults (article 130 of the Russian penal code) and was fined 60,000 rubles (about 2000 US dollars at the time).

At a pro-Viktor Yanukovych candidacy concert during the 2004 Ukrainian presidential election Kirkorov mistakenly called on Ukrainians to vote for the opposing candidate Viktor Yushchenko - to wild cheers from the audience.

There was also an incident where Kirkorov sent his guards to attack the Russian rock singer and DDT band frontman Yuri Shevchuk after their emotional skirmish in a public place (as known, Shevchuk keeps no guards of his own). The reason for the argument reportedly were Shevchuk's offensive statements against Kirkorov, his wife, and his alleged lip-synching.

On 15 May 2009 Kirkorov resigned as head of the Russian jury at the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest, which has a 50% say in who will be national Russian Eurovision representative, after having been seen posing for cameras with Greek entry Sakis Rouvas and having dinner with Norwegian entry Alexander Rybak. Furthermore, Kirkorov admitted that he and Rouvas had been personal friends for years. Since the integrity of the jury was deemed damaged, Kirkorov had little option but to resign once these stories had been made public.

On 3 September 2009 Philipp Kirkorov, clad in his (in)famous 2008 Music Awards 'gold' suit was caught on camera while 'confiscating' journalist's Veronica Kozlova camera. Since the act might have been qualified as robbery, some reports said the singer was facing 2 to 7 years' imprisonment and a heavy fine. All charges were dropped, though, Kirkorov himself stating that his actions were 'provoked' by the journalist (the latter having been immediately dubbed as 'Pink Blouse the Second' by her colleagues).

In 2010 Kirkorov was seen striking a female audience member while in the crowd at a performance.

Another incident erupted on the 4^th of December, 2010, when he allegedly slapped a female assistant because he was unhappy with the lighting at a concert venue. The woman was identified as Marina Yablokova, and threatened to sue Kirkorov . As a result, Kirkorov fled to Israel in a psychiatric hospital. On the 7^th of December on the official website of the singer, it was reported that he admits his illness and publicly apologizes to the victim.

Discography

Albums

Studio albums

• 1990: Philipp
• 1990: Sinbat-Morehod
• 1991: Nebo I Zemlya
• 1991: Ti, Ti, Ti
• 1992: Takoi Sakoi
• 1994: Ya Ne Raphael
• 1995: Primadonna
• 1995: Ckazi Solncu - "Da"
• 1998: Edinstvenaya
• 1998: Oi, Mama Shika Dam
• 2000: Chelofilia
• 2001: Magico Amor
• 2002: Vlubloniy I Bezumno Odinokiy
• 2003: Neznakomka
• 2007: For You
• 2011: Drugoy - 2 Edition

Live

• 2001: Vchera, Segodnya, Zavtra... (Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow... )

Compilation

• 2003: Luchshie Pesni (The Best Songs)
• 2004: Dueti (Duets)

Singles

• 1999: Mish`
• 2000: Ogon` I Voda
• 2000: Kilimandzaro
• 2001: Diva
• 2001: Ti Poveriz`?
• 2001: Ya Za Tebya Umru
• 2001: Maria
• 2002: Zesrokaya Lubov`
• 2004: Sam P..A?! Ili Kirkorov MAZZDie!!!
• 2005: Kak Sumashedshiy Ya (duet with Sakis Rouvas)
• 2009: Zara

Eurovision covers

Philipp Kirkorov has covered a few songs which appeared in the Eurovision Song Contest and its national finals, as well as entering a song in his own right. Songs include:

• "Dreaming" (Ireland 1995 entry) (English and Russian)
• "(I Would) Die for You" (Greece 2001 entry) (English and Russian as "Ya za tebya umru")
• "Diva" (Israel 1998 entry) (English, Hebrew, Spanish and Russian)
• "Go" (United Kingdom 1988 entry) (Russian as "Lish by ty vsegda byla moej")
• "Maria Magalena" (Croatia 1999 entry) (Russian)
• "Hero" - Charlotte Perrelli (2008 Swedish entry) (Russian as "Novyj geroj")
• "La Voix" - Malena Ernman (2009 Swedish entry) (Russian as "Golos", English and French) (with Anna Netrebko)
• "Let's get wild" - Helena Paparizou (2005 Greek National Final) (Russian as "Kaif")
• "Carnaval" - DJ Mendez (2002 Swedish National Final) (Russian)
• "Let your spirit fly" - Jan Johansson & Pernilla Walggren (2003 Swedish National Final) (Russian as "Vljublennaja dusha") (with Anastasia Stotskaya)
• "Cara Mia" - Mans Zelmerlow (2007 Swedish National Final) (Russian as "Koroleva")
• "Playing with fire" - Paula and Ovi (Romania 2010 entry) (Russian as "Igra s ognem")
• "Hope & Glory" - Mans Zelmerlow (2009 Swedish National Final) (Russian as "Tyi vsyo uvidish sam")

Filmography

• 1995: "Old Songs About Main Things" (as magician from south)
• 1996: "Old Songs About Main Things - 2" (as Mr. Singer)
• 1997: "Old Songs About Main Things - 3" (young actor)
• 2000: "Salon of Beaty" (as Evgeniy Slavin)
• 2000: "Old Songs About Main Things.Postscript" (as magician from south)
• 2001: "Como El Cine" (as himself)
• 2002: "Evenings on a Farm Near Dikanka" (as devil)
• 2003: "Crazy Day or The Marriage of Figaro" (as Count Almaviva)
• 2006: "The Adventures of Verka Serduchka" (as Cameo)
• 2007: "Kingdom of Crooked Mirrors" (as kite Piliph)
• 2007: "Stars Holidays" (as Baron Ctar, intergalactic star)
• 2008: "Goldfish" (as star groom)
• 2008: "On Back Of Black Cat" (as Cameo)
• 2009: "Love In Big City" (as Saint Valentin)
• 2010: "Love In Big City - 2" (as Saint Valentin)
• 2012: "Love In Big City - 3" (as Saint Valentin)
• 2013: "Space Pirate Captain Harlock" (as Harlock) (voice)
• 2013: "Galaxy Express 999" (as Harlock) (voice)
• 2013: "Arcadia of my Youth" (as Harlock) (voice)
• 2014: "Harlock Saga" (as Harlock) (voice)
• 2014: "Space Pirate Captain Harlock live-action" (as Harlock)
• 2014: "Galaxy Express 999 live-action" (as Harlock)

External links

• Official website (Russian)
• Philipp Kirkorov at the Internet Movie Database

Preceded by Youddiph with "Vyechniy stranik"

Russia in the Eurovision Song Contest 1995

Succeeded by Alla Pugacheva with "Primadonna"