"White Eagle" (Belyy Orel) is a Russian pop band, which gave us the immortal hits "How pleasant are the evenings in Russia" and "Because you can't be beautiful like that". Their love lyrics are imbued with awe and tenderness, deeply settled in our hearts. And after two decades these songs do not lose their relevance.
History of creation
The founder, leader, soloist and permanent head of the group is Vladimir Zhechkov. Before 1997, he had already become a wealthy businessman, worked in "Ostankino", was a concert director, created his own marketing agency, arranged his personal life. He had money, opportunities and an irresistible desire to do something "for the soul". He decided to create a musical group and start singing.
Zhechkov himself admits that he had this project as a result of his own whim. He did not try to make money on it and did not seek to become famous throughout the country. He chose the genre of chanson, but over time the style changed a little.
Zhechkov approached the selection of the name with his usual creativity. He wanted the name to sound respectable, a bit pathos, but at the same time retain a share of self-irony. "White Eagle" was perfect. The idea of such a name was borrowed from a brand of vodka, which his company once worked on advertising.
Zhechkov's period
From 1997 to 1999, Vladimir was the lead singer of the band. He had a pleasant velvet timbre, which was ideal for performing lyrical compositions. At the same time, the novice singer never concealed that his vocals were "weak" and all songs were thoroughly processed. He could also allow to appear in the studio drunk, which more than once proved the non-seriousness of his attitude to music.
After the release of the songs "How pleasant are the evenings in Russia" and "Because you can not be so beautiful" the fame of the "eagles" spread instantly, they were heard literally from everywhere. A little later the first composition got into the Guinness Book of Records for "the most mass collective performance". And although their work did not occupy the top positions of the hit parades, it was this group that became the most "pirated" on the music market. Many songs of their repertoire people confidently call "folk".
Zhechkov kept the intrigue around his person to the last. Until the end of 1999, he did not give concerts, did not show his face to the public, no one knew what the one who captivated the hearts of all women looked like. This marketing move only fueled the interest of listeners. Disclosure occurred at the New Year's concert in 1999, which was broadcast on "ORT" and "NTV". At the same time, the rest of the band members remained in "virtual reality". When the popularity reached its peak, he began to look for musicians who would go on tour. He did not want to perform on his own, so he was looking for a soloist. And having gathered a whole ensemble of talents, he sent them on tour around the country.
Further creative path of the group
In the history of the group there were many names of talented musicians who replaced each other in the team. Since the end of 1999 Mikhail Faibushevich became the main vocalist of "White Eagle". He didn't stay in the band for long, less than a year later his place was taken by Leonid Lyutvinsky. The audience immediately liked him: charismatic, attractive and romantic, he looked divine on stage. He stayed in the team until 2006, took part in the recording of one album, and then went to conquer the cinematography.
The next soloist was Alexander Yagya. With his arrival, the band made a new round of popularity. They replenished their discography with fresh works, shot clips, gave grandiose concerts. That lineup (Alexander Yagya, Leonid Grevnov, Dmitry Chernyshev, Dmitry Goloshchapov and Vyacheslav Serdyukov) is considered to be "golden" after Vladimir Zhechkov's departure. This is the team they celebrated their 10-year anniversary with.
In 2010 Alexander was accused of giving solo performances with the repertoire of "White Eagle". Andrei Khramov took his place. He stayed in the team for 6 years. But when he had the opportunity to engage in a solo career, he made a choice in favor of the latter option. Behind the microphone became Denis Kosyakin, who is still in the collective. Together with him today perform:
- Igor Turkin (keyboardist, backing vocalist, music director);
- Alexander Lensky (administrator, vocalist, keyboardist, guitarist);
- Igor Cherevko (drummer);
- Alexander Sarikov (bassist, back-vocalist);
- Yuri Golubev (sound engineer);
- Stas Mikhailov (guitarist, backing vocalist).
White Eagle is considered to be one of the most mysterious and scandalous groups on the Russian pop scene (the members were accused of plagiarism, parody in their videos was criticized). Perhaps this was a good reason for their popularity. They were constantly "feeding" the audience with different statements, antics, intrigues. And the audience closely followed their every move.
For their many years of activity, they received the "Golden Gramophone", the "Ovation" award, the "Silver Kalosha" for the most scandalous clip. In their creative biography - up to a dozen albums, which is about 200 songs. They collaborated with many famous musicians, composers and poets. Since the early 2000s, they have been gathering full concert halls, stadiums of many thousands. And this is not only in Russia, but also abroad. Such nationwide love and recognition is more expensive than any awards.
In 2017, they went on a jubilee tour dedicated to their 20th anniversary. For the sake of such an event, Zhechkov joined them and sang everyone's favorite hits.
Today the interest to the group "White Eagle" has not faded. They are still active concert activity, pleasing fans of their creativity with old and new hits. About what surprises will present us legendary "eagles", read in the catalog of artists on the website kontramarka.de.
Discography:
1997 - "Bird of High Flight".
1998 - "Because You Can't Be Beautiful Like That".
1999 - "Fog descends from high mountains".
2000 - "Good Evening"
2004 - "I sing what I want"
2007 - "How We Love"
2009 - "How pleasant are the evenings in Russia (Live)"
2011 - "On the Edge"
2011 - "Not the Last"
