Rockin’ The Kremlin - Documentary Based on Valery's Life in Riga

Listen to a video where Valery describes his experience of founding rock and roll in the Soviet Union - his influences & KGB enforcement against playing rock and roll.

First Soviet youth to hear Rock & Roll (on his mother’s government issued short wave radio); inventor of the first Soviet electric guitar and bass; and in 1962 founded the first Soviet rock band The Revengers. Arrested many times in Riga and threatened exile if he didn't stop playing Rock & Roll. Immigrating to America in 1976, he joins the first Russian rock band in USA Sasha & Yuri; and later becomes a mentor to Eddie Vedder.