Not every team that appeared on the domestic stage can boast of longevity and the status of a legend. One of those that lasted on stage no matter what is the group "Picnic". It is simply amazing how one can be popular both during the strict Soviet regime and during the period of complete freedom and the absence of censorship, which characterize the following years. However, this is a fact. For several generations they have loved and appreciated Picnic. The group became an example for younger followers. We will talk about it in our article.
Appearance story
The Picnic group appeared in the very center of culture and freedom of thought of the USSR - the city on the Neva St. Petersburg. The band's first name was Orion. That is what the first two participants called themselves at the very beginning of their joint work. Then the change was replaced by "Picnic". The group has become what it is now, thanks to the fateful meeting of two talented personalities.
Edmund Shklyarsky, a non-replaceable soloist of the collective, simply could not help but meet with Evgeny Voloshchuk, the organizer of Orion. After a short time, one of the turning points in the history of the Picnic ensemble sets in. The group breaks up, and Ed Shklyarsky leaves it with drummer Ali Bakhtiyarov.
And only in 1981, the team again united in the already final composition. Then comes the first popularity. Musicians become laureates of a rock festival. Popularity in wide circles comes through the album of the group “Picnic” “Smoke”, which finally strengthens the desire of the participants to enter the professional stage.
Obstacles and victories
Like many rock bands of that period, the Picnic group fell into the black lists of performers as not corresponding to Soviet ideology. Only something happened that no one could have expected. After the first tour, it turns out that there are no empty seats in the halls. This is surprising, as more than 200 cities went on their own group members. Moreover, there was not a single word about them in the media!
The second problem was the crisis of 1989, when, due to growing ambitions, half of the group left the group. I have to perform in a different composition. However, literally in a year the collective is restored, and the series of albums and performances continues. The death in a car accident of drummer Ali Bakhtiyarov deeply shocked everyone who loves the work of the Picnic team. The group, however, again proved that, having survived any difficult times, they will perform and create new works. This continues until our days. Picnic group albums each time find their grateful listeners, and concerts never take place in an empty room.
Soloist and group leader
It is very rare when a team has a person who is in the composition from the very beginning, did not leave the group and did not even try to leave the project. One of such rare collectives is the “Picnic”. The group has its own unique personality thanks to its leader Ed Shklyarsky.
Born initially in a family that is not alien to any kind of creativity, the young guy simply did not have a chance not to love music and not connect his life with it. He is not only a soloist, whose voice has become an integral part of the image of the group - Shklyarsky is also a leader uniting around himself a team, composer and author of many songs. In addition, he is a multi-instrumentalist. It can be said that this is a unique person. The Picnic group, whose photo can be seen in the article, is always proud of this participant with any compositions. The team has a lot of fans.
The direction of music and style
Since its inception, the Picnic group has been able to create an areola of mystical romance around itself that attracts young fans and loyal fans. Their work is a mixture of rock and Russian traditions of folklore. All this sounds framed by folk and symphonic instruments, giving a fundamentally new sound.
For lovers of the intellectual component in music, song lyrics are filled with a lot of irony and philosophy that distinguishes Picnic. The group seeks to preserve its style, not succumbing to fashion trends. Perfectly complements and collects the image of their appearance. Black suits with drawn runes, dark glasses - this is the style that the Picnic group invariably follows. Photos of last year and pictures taken five years ago will allow you to see at first glance who is depicted on them. In all this lies the constant success and popularity of the group for many years.