Rockin' the Kremlin

Founding father
of Soviet Rock 'n Roll

Here's a Post Script about Valery taken from the Rockin' the Kremlin web site:

Valéry Saifudinov: One of the Founding Fathers of Soviet Rock, Valéry is now an American citizen. After several years on tour throughout the US, his band dissolves; not long after, he founds “Flight 19 Studios,” now a successful recording studio in San Diego. Along with occasional public performances, he becomes a mentor to Eddie Vedder, lead singer/lyricist and guitarist for the mega rock band, Pearl Jam. In 2007, he releases a new Rock & Roll album of original music in Latvia, while making a series of concerts and television shows in his former country, while also producing Latvian recording artists. MTV Latvia is currently making a documentary on his life.

A Documentary Film Project in Development

- Historic Time Line -

The
Revolution that Rocked the World

1955 – 1991

In the annals of rock 'n roll history, Valery is recorded as the Founding Father of Rock 'n Roll in the Soviet Union. Moreover, his introduction of 'a new sound' had such a strong influence on Soviet youth that it literally was the drop of water in the ocean that resulted in a tsunami. Buddy Haley, Elvis Presley, the Beatles . . . the music was hypnotic, fun and made one feel free and fantastic.

The wave of attraction was so strong for this 'new sound' that it overpowered the repressiveness of Communism control - eventually being the phenomenon that culturally brought down the Iron Wall. Not without a struggle though. Followed by KGB and police and accused of inciting the youth to revolt with American propaganda in his music, Valery could no longer play his music without the threat of being exiled into Siberia to shut him up.

He couldn't keep the music inside of him though, and was one of the many Soviet defectors that left their families, friends and everything behind for political and artistic freedom. Mikhail Baryshnikov, the famous ballet dancer, also from Valery's hometown of Riga, Latvia was another artist that came to America at the same time. Ironically, Valery fondly remembers performing rock 'n roll at a party for Baryshnikov Ballet Troupe in Riga. "The ballet dancers were so stiff and controlled that they were like robots trying to dance to rock 'n roll!"

This documentary, inspired by Valery's contribution to rock 'n roll, reviews the historical timeline of rock music's effect of the breaking down of an established political climate. Check it out - it's very interesting.