Ilja Kalinnikov, 46, leader of the Visokosny God indie rock group, died on 25 June 2019. Have just learnt it.
The group has had quite a difficult story. They sang three songs that made them famous in 1999-2001. Although they are equally loved by both intellectuals and simple people, they could not build on the momentum of their success: no investors were found.
These three songs are characterized by complex melodies and sophisticated, almost poetic texts.
“Metro” is one of the unofficial hymns of Moscow, while “The Tiny Little Light of My Soul” is the unofficial hymn of truck drivers.
Где посреди огней вечерних и гудков машин
Мчится тихий огонек моей души…
Where amidst the evening lights and honking of cars the tiny little light of my soul still keeps rushing somewhere…
От Алтуфьево до Пражской лишь на первый взгляд далеко:
Мы везем московские тайны по секретным веткам метро.
It only seems to be too far from Altufjevo to Pražskaja, but we are carrying Moscow mysteries along the secret metro lines.
Ilja Kalinnikov in memoriam.
English titles: Visokosny God “Metro”, “The Tiny Little Light of My Soul”, “The Best Song About Love”
Original titles (Russian): Високосный год “Метро”, “Тихий огонек моей души”, “Лучшая песня о любви”
First published in the Levinarium Telegram Channel (now closed and deleted)