Yuri Antonov

Yuri Mikhailovich Antonov was born into the family of an officer of the Soviet Army, Mikhail Vasilievich Antonov, who after World War II stayed to serve in the military administration of Berlin. Yuri's sister, Zhanna (Jane) was born there. His mother, Natalya Mikhailovna (Litovchenko), who was from Kremenchuk (Poltava Region), died in 2008 at age 85.

Antonov is one of the most popular and successful artists on Soviet 70's-80's pop scene despite the fact that some of his songs (especially in early period) were banned by Soviet censorship. He appeared to an international television audience as a performer in the opening ceremony of the Moscow 1986 Goodwill Games.

He has composed music for the films Take Care of the Women! (1981), Before We Part (1984), Beauty Salon (1985) and Fools Die on Friday (1990). He has released 30 albums, including a 19-track CD in 1992 on Mezhdunarodnaya Kniga, entitled Mirror.

Awards:

- Antonov was named a Distinguished Artist of Chechnya-Ingushetia (1983) and a People's Artist of Russia in 1997.

- He is the recipient of the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland" (4th class), Order of Honour (Russia), Order of Friendship (Russia), and Order of Francysk Skaryna.

- In 1997 Yuri Antonov received a star on the Star Square in Moscow.

- He also received the Living Legend Award at the Ovation Awards in 2000.