Education
Naumenko studied at a "school with an intensive English-language program" in Leningrad, where he got his stage name, "Mike".
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Mike Naumenko
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Naumenko is considered one of the best lyricists of Russian rock, although drawing heavily on Bob Dylan and other United Kingdom/United States songwriters, and occasionally retaining the original melody as well. Some of Naumenko"s songs are more or less faithful translations or remakes of English language source material (the notions of copyright and plagiarism being hardly established in the Soviet Union, especially as regards works created on the other side of the Iron Curtain). Largely imitative, Naumenko"s input was yet very significant as he adapted the Western rock tradition to Russian culture and the urban realities of Leningrad.
The first time he got interested in music was at the age of eight when he had heard music by the Beatles playing from the street, standing on his balcony.
The first he took an interest in were the Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Jefferson Airplane. Besides he collected articles from magazines concerning T. Rex, the Doors and David Bowie.
At the age of 15, he started playing guitar and writing his first songs. Naumenko"s lyrical muse has been identified as the Leningrad artist Tatyana Apraksina, as reflected in songs such as "Sweet North," "If lieutenant Rains," "Your River"s Blues" and "Morning for Two".
According to Naumenko, in a late interview, "All my songs are dedicated to her." Naumenko died in Leningrad in August 1991, at the age of 36.
His memory has been honored with numerous tribute albums (see below) and in other creative works including a 2009 novel and an "blues opera" that premiered in 2011. A collection of Naumenko"s complete writings — including his samizdat translation of Richard Bach"s Illusions — is being prepared for publication in 2015.
Membership
Born in Leningrad, in the 1970s he was a member of the Russian rock group Akvarium, and in 1981 he formed Zoopark, which became one of the most outstanding blues rock groups of Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics.
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Born
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Died
August 27, 1991 (aged 36) -
Nationality
Russia