Kino was one of the most popular Soviet rock bands in the 1980s, led by legendary musician Viktor Tsoi. They recorded over 10 studio albums, and their songs became anthems for thousands of young people who wanted freedom and expressed their dissatisfaction with the existing order in the USSR. Famous Kino songs include “Blood Type”, “A Star Named Sun”, “Sadness” and many others. Viktor Tsoi died in a car accident in 1990, but the band’s music remains popular in Russia and beyond.
The band Kino was formed in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) in 1982 and quickly gained popularity thanks to its unique sound, which combined elements of punk, new wave and post-punk.
Its members were Viktor Tsoi (vocals, guitar), Alexey Rybin (bass guitar), Georgy Guryanov (guitar) and Oleg Valinsky (drums).
1\Their songs touched on a variety of topics, including religion, politics, love and freedom. They were not only musicians, but also symbols of their time.
Despite the tight control of the Soviet authorities, the Kino group continued to gain popularity. Their concerts attracted thousands of fans, and their albums were popular not only in the USSR but also abroad. Viktor Tsoi was not only the main vocalist and songwriter, but also played guitar and performed other musical functions. After his death in 1990, the group managed to release several more albums, but they were never able to achieve the same degree of cult status that the group had during Viktor Tsoi’s lifetime. However, their music remains popular to this day, and a new generation of musicians continues to be inspired by their work.