DUSHANBE, November 20, Asia-Plus — Known Russian singer, People’s Artist of the USSR Josef Kobzon has arrived in Tajikistan to present a charity concert in Dushanbe today, Gulmahmad Davlatov, a spokesman for the ministry of culture (MoC), said in an interview with Asia-Plus.
Song and dance company of Russia’s Ministry of Interior (MoI) are accompanying Josef Kobzon on his trip to Tajikistan, which is part of the artiste’s tour of CIS states dedicated to his seventieth birthday.
Creative teamwork, numbering some 110 persons accompanies, Josef Kobzon on his tour, the spokesman said.
Joseph Kobzon, born on September 11, 1937, is an iconic Soviet crooner, who has been acclaimed as “the official voice of the Soviet Union.” Kobzon was born to Jewish parents in the mining town of Chasiv Yar, Ukraine.
In 1958 Kobzon started his singing career, and in 1962, he recorded his first LP which included songs written by Aleksandra Pakhmutova. In the next 5 years, he was awarded at the international song contests in Sopot and Bulgaria.
During Leonid Brezhnev’s time in office (1964–82), there was hardly an official concert where Kobzon didn”t take part. In 1984 the singer was honored with the USSR State Prize. Three years later, he was made People’s Artist of the USSR.
