Vlad Topalov

September 13, 2000 in one of Moscow clubs celebrated 40-year anniversary of Mikhail Topalov. Hero of the day the Son of Vlad and his friend on the children's ensemble 'Neposedy' Sergey Lazarev decided to make an unusual gift. They knew that the perpetrator of celebration - a fan of the musical Notre Dame de Paris. For help with the boys turned to one of the best sound engineers Russia Yuri Bogdanov, and release the disc provided director and conductor of the Presidential Orchestra Pavel Ovsyannikov. In the Kremlin studio was made a CD with a ballad 'Belle', which was printed with dozens of gift CD. Vlad to the time already was, thanks to the work in the 'Fidget', experienced, albeit young artist. But in the early autumn of 2000 and he and his band's future is unlikely to represent what an interesting story waiting for them ahead.

. Shortly after the celebration of 40 years, where Vlad Sergei sang a duet with 'Belle', Mikhail Topalov, who was returning home from the Moscow region Zhukovka, asked in good faith to the city of his American friend's school friend
. On the road to the capital of Michael Genrikhovich put disc of 'Belle'. 'Who is that singing? " - Interested in the satellite. 'My children', - said Mikhail. The American's name was David Junk, he was Director General of Universal п?usic. He advised to turn to Simon Nepier-Bell - legendary music manager, has designed the duo Wham!. When Simon received the invitation to come to Moscow, the group existed as a quartet 'Anima' composed and Alina Vlad Topalov, Sergey Lazarev and Julia Malinowska. Julia soon decided to try to continue an independent career, and the team became a trio. Vlad was 15, Aline - 12, Sergey - 17 years. Simon listened to their presentation and delivered its verdict: 'It's not going. All three completely different energy. This should be a duet '- decided an experienced manager, and agreed with his opinion.

In the search for the desired name has made its contribution and Bari Karimovich Alibasov directly in the course of the concert to the 10 th anniversary of 'Fidget' April 12, 2001 proposing a duet called "Wow!". The word Vlad did not like, but for the idea to call the band with a touch of exclamations seized. Who proposed the first title Smash!!, Now, exactly, no one remembers. But it is known that two exclamation marks placed at the end of words, Simon (as a symbol of continuity with his previous successful offspring - the group Wham!).
Everyone knows that the roots of Smash!! go to a children's ensemble 'Neposedy'. However, the musical lineage of much older and richer. Homestay Topalov interest in music was inherited. Vlad's great-grandfather was a professor at the Kiev Conservatory, and in addition, was the godson of the Rimsky-Korsakov and the composer's brother Grechaninov, sketches of which is still plagued by young pianists in all music schools of the world. Among the relatives of Vlad and the great Sergei Rachmaninov (so that the resemblance to his father Vlad Rachmaninov - not just a coincidence). Sam's father Vlad also finished musical school and the school of arts in piano, . a schoolboy was playing in rock bands, . first in Rostov-na-Donu, . and then in Moscow and St. Petersburg, . since 1977 - a fairly well known at the time the command 'fourth dimension'.,
. In 'Neposedy' Vlad led mom
. Not because I wanted to make a child star, but in order to somehow teach him to communicate with others - a small Vlad was a rare Buka. Peers are uncomfortable, beating little sister Alina and came to the house guests, preferring to receive a blow to the head. Most of all, from a small Vlada battered his godfather, actor, Alexander Lazarev, Jr.. 'Neposedy' should have been a little re-robber - and nothing more.

Ensemble 'Neposedy' emerged in 1991 as a children's club at the Palace of Pioneers of the Leningrad region of Moscow. Vlad was five and a half years, when he and then his younger sister, Alina, hit the 'Neposedy'. His constant partner of the duo became Julia Malinowska - future leading television competition 'Morning Star'. The same team growing up and coming singer of the group 'Tattoo' - Lena Katina and Julia Volkova. When Vlad turned 9, and Aline - 6, the parents sent them to England to study. 'Fidget' needed replacement, as Vlad was the only soloist. Then, and found the boy - 12-year-old Sergei Lazarev. Vlad the meantime, too, not tear myself away from the team - every vacation to come to Moscow and continued to act with 'Fidget'. It was an acquaintance of Vlad and Sergey.

Opportunity to learn in one of the prestigious colleges of England for Vlad was not a holiday gift. 'The first time I was on the do not care, I missed my parents did not go to classes and was sobbing for days - says Vlad. - English language then I knew at the 'Hell-pliz-Bye', and a beautiful castle on the hill, which houses the college, seemed to me something like Dracula's castle. We lived in a big room for 10 people, where there were bunk beds - I held the top shelf. Classmates treated me with contempt, indifference, there were only two or three people with whom I had a mutual understanding. Fortunately, I was soon transferred to another college, is located in downtown Harrogate, which then transferred and Alinka. There, I felt much better, but continued to miss my family and was glad to return home ', - says Vlad. At age 12, he finally returned to Moscow. And in 'Neposedy'. With an ensemble they were not parted until the last.

. In summer 2000, Mikhail Topalov offered his friend Vadim Andreyev, experienced and renowned jazz musician, to collect records 'Fidget', to make new arrangements and record the disc to the jubilee 10 th anniversary of the ensemble
. Michael and Vadim (not suspect then that he will become music director of the group Smash!!) Began work on this collection, and Vlad concurrently preparing a surprise to the 40 th anniversary of the pope - to record a ballad 'Belle'. Of the two gifts and there was a group. However, the official birthday for the group was Dec. 19, 2001, when the contract was signed with Universal п?usic to record album. Then, still on the team Smash!! Few people knew. Star Party was only in the summer of next year after success in the 'New Wave' in Jurmala. Repertoire for the competition were selected carefully. Number for the bankruptcy of the day, where it was necessary to perform a retro-hit, became a famous ballad 'Do you wake at dawn' Alexei Rybnikov and Andrei Voznesensky from the rock opera "Juno and Avos'. Of the songs written specially for the group, have chosen 'Talk to Me'. From foreign hit of doubt, no one was - it was the 'Belle'. The main prize of 'New Wave' for the group was totally unexpected, that's only a fragile symbol of victory, 'Crystal Wave', and Moscow did not get. Vlad's father accidentally broke it more on the way to the train station in Riga.

In addition to the All-Russia fame and star status, 'new wave' introduced the group with Philip Kirkorov. As a result of this meeting Smash!! received the first serious proposal for the large foreign tour - as special guests to participate in the tour Kirkorov to the U.S. in January - February 2003. The first concert took place in the six-thousand-room 'Taj Mahal' in Atlantic City. Vlad was very excited: after all, the public has come to Kirkorov.

. However, neither he, nor even Philip himself did not expect such a result - once in the middle of his solo concert Smash!! sang four or five songs, the largest U.S. city hall refused to let a group from the scene.

. C tour always connected pleasant surprises
. This is especially true of gifts, among which came across quite unusual things: up to cowards with embroidered upon them the full text of 'Belle' or tie with the text 'Prayer' (both of them a gift - from the fans from St. Petersburg). At home, Michael and Vlad Topalov accumulated a museum of gifts, which holds unique exhibits: carved wooden Easter eggs with pictures of kids, pictures and much more. Although the most common gift, of course - teddy bears and other stuffed toys. They would have accumulated hundreds of thousands of, . But the group has held regular charity events for orphans, . during which not only gave the acoustic concerts for children, . but also gave them a gift plush presents from fans groups.,

. In late 2004, immediately after the second album, released information that the duo broke up
. The reason was that the withdrawal from the team of Sergey Lazarev. Leaving Smash!!, Lazarev promised to fulfill its obligations under a contract with Universal, according to which members Smash!! (represented by Vlad Topalov and Sergei Lazarev) pledged to release three albums, Universal. At the time of the collapse of the duo had already been issued two plates, Sergey and Vlad together. After some time, Sergei refused to comply with the contract. Therefore, the third disc had to write one Vlad. All the songs included in this album were recorded Topalov again, after the departure of Sergei Lazarev.

Topalov was doubly hard to work on this plate, as Mikhail Topalov (Vlad's father) is no longer engaged in Smash!!. Michael left the direct management of Smash!! and passed it under the management of Ego Works summer 2005. Topalov senior decided that at this stage of his role in the team as a producer, is finished, he did for Smash!! everything I could, taught him everything that he could.

. Winter of 2006, Vlad Topalov signed a contract with 'The Gramophone Music' and plans to release solo album
. This record will be only new songs, both in Russian and English. To date, recorded a few tracks.
Vlad Topalov ceases to act as the lead singer of 'Smash!!'. Now Vlad Topalov - solo artist. For him the history of the project 'Smash!!' ended with a record third album. 'For me' Smash!! ' means a lot and will mean. But time does not stand still. Today, all obligations owed by Universal Music Russia fulfilled, and I'm starting a new story under his name - Vlad Topalov. In spring, I will submit to the court audience, my first solo album, ', - commented Topalov.

Since then, there Vlad Topalov, who decided to open its new chapter as a solo artist. Now Topalov will work with the company 'Gramophone the Music' and the Swedish-American company 'Ego Works'.