Eduard Starkov is a rock musician and poet. He is known to many of us for his performances as part of the Chimera group. Want to know the story of her life and the cause of death? Then we recommend reading the article from the first to the last paragraph.
Biography: family and childhood
Starkov Eduard Sergeevich was born on July 8, 1969 in the village of Kalevala, in the Republic of Karelia. The mother of our hero was engaged in housekeeping and raising two sons - Edik (elder) and Misha (younger).
Father was a military man. Therefore, the family often had to move from one locality to another. The Starks went to the Murmansk region, then returned to Karelia.
Our hero grew up an active and inquisitive child. He quickly found a common language with the other guys. Eddie learned to read and write early. The boy also showed an interest in music. Noticing this, the parents decided to help their son in the development of creative abilities. They enrolled him in a music school. For several years, Edik learned to play the button accordion. That's not all. The boy independently mastered the guitar.
Life in Vyborg
In 1982, the Starkov family finally settled in the Leningrad Region. They purchased housing in the city of Vyborg. There, our hero graduated from high school. Then the guy went to Kronstadt. He entered the 42nd Navy Nautical School. Soon he was awarded a diploma of graduation from this educational institution. Eduard was sent to Vladivostok to practice. But he did not stay there long. The guy was drafted into the army.
Soldier
Eduard Starkov went to serve in Petrozavodsk, in the border troops. While in the army, the guy wrote most of the early acoustic songs. Some of them were later included in the repertoire of his group.
Our hero returned to the "citizen" as a mature and confident young man. He came to his native Vyborg. Edward was not going to sit on the neck of his parents. Almost immediately, Starkov got a job. To begin with, he mastered the profession of a stoker in a local POGAT. In his free time, the guy continued to compose songs. At that time, Edik created such compositions as “Ferapont” and “Love of the Stoker”. The first listeners were his parents.
Eduard Starkov: Chimera, Baltic Deputy and Tam-Tam Club
At some point, the guy decided to go to Leningrad. In this city, he had more chances to build a musical career. In the northern capital, Edik met Gennady Bachinsky and other members of the Krokoplyuh student collective. The children liked the songs he wrote.
In late 1990, a soloist nicknamed Pluha left the band. After that, the team finally broke up.
Eduard Starkov (see photo above), together with musicians from Krokoplyuh, created a new group, Baltic Deputy. He performed as a vocalist and rhythm guitarist. Friends gave Edward an unusual nickname - Redt.
The guys rehearsed in the hostel LETI. The first public performance of the new team took place in December 1990 in one of the Leningrad rock clubs. The Baltic MP group has gained popularity among local youth. Musicians performed in various recreation centers. The team managed to record several albums.
In October 1991, the concert of the “Deputy of the Baltic” took place in the newly opened music club “Tam-tam”. Soon, this institution turned into a cult place for the St. Petersburg underground.
At the end of 1991, Gena Bachinsky became the team manager. The group gets a new name - “Chimera”. At the same time, its composition remains unchanged. It is worth noting that the new name was coined by Starkov.
In 1992, Chimera decided to update its sound. There was only one guitar left in the band that Edward played. The sound of the collective was heavier, more dynamics and drive were added to it. The group did not give up the cello.
Career continuation
The music that Chimera played could not be attributed to a specific direction. In European clubs, this style is called only Cello-punk ("cello punk").
Eduard Starkov, whose biography we are considering, has dramatically changed his image. He cut his hair short, covered his body with tattoos. The musician performed on the stage barefoot and in a blacksmith apron. To many people, his appearance seemed strange. And fans of "Chimera" were delighted with the soloist.
For several years, the group performed in St. Petersburg clubs and large concert venues. Twice "Chimera" went on a tour of Europe. In Switzerland and Germany, Russian rock musicians made a splash.
Personal life
Like many of us, Edward had a first love, timid confessions and a first kiss. Throughout our life, our hero carried the memory of a girl to whom he had feelings in his youth.
With his future wife, Svetlana Lillo (Tosey), Starkov met in the northern capital. They lived together for several years, wandering in rented apartments and apartments of friends. They had no children.
Interesting Facts
- The musician did not eat meat at all.
- In their native Eduard Vyborg, the Chimera group performed only once.
- Our hero read a lot. His favorite Russian author was Elena Blavatsky. And from foreign writers, he singled out Philip Dick, who created the work "Ubik."
- Starkov not only wrote and performed songs, but also created paintings and was a good tattoo master.
- Edward called himself a metalhead. Although the work of the group "Chimera" is not attributed to any direction.
- Redt's songs often mention Jesus Christ. This indicates that he was a believer.
Cause of death
On February 23, 1997, a talented performer and poet left this world. Eduard Starkov hanged himself. Only 10 days later his lifeless body was found in the attic of a house located on ul. Bakunin. Immediately there were many rumors about the cause of his suicide. Some people were sure that he suffered from drug addiction. Other citizens attributed his act to protracted depression. But what prompted the 27-year-old to commit suicide? Now it is impossible to find out.
Specialists in the field of criminology studied poems and songs written by Starkov. In some of them, suicidal motives were clearly traced. In an interview with the print media, the musician announced that he would like to hang himself on stage. He considered this a bright and unusual conclusion to the concert. No one thought that Eduard Starkov would really decide on suicide. Only not on the stage, but at home.
The last concert of the Chimera group was held a week before the death of our hero. February 15, 1997 in the club "Milk" was not crowded. Numerous fans came to listen to their favorite rock musicians. The next concert was scheduled for March 8th. The team members arrived at the place on time. All that was missing was Edward. After some time, the musicians began to worry. After all, Starkov was never late. They could not have imagined that their colleagues were no longer alive.
The famous rock musician is buried in the Verkhne-Cherkassy cemetery, which is near Vyborg. Today on his grave there is a black cross with a photograph. Friends, relatives, loyal fans and colleagues do not forget Edward. They look after the grave, bring fresh flowers.
Finally
Now you know what contribution to the development of Russian rock culture made Eduard Starkov. The details of his career and personal life, as well as the cause of death, were all considered by us. Today we remembered another talented person with a fine mental organization. May he rest in peace…