Gorky Park

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Gorky Park (1987-2001, 2005-present): a Glam Metal band from Moscow, Russia.

ussian band Gorky Park (international title) is a Russian band that gained mainstream popularity in the United States during Perestroika. Gorky Park became famous for their kitsch use of western stereotypes of Russians, such as pseudo-traditional clothing, balalaika-like guitar design and using the hammer and sickle as their logo. They were the first Russian band to be aired on MTV.

In 1987, guitarist Alexey Belov (ex-Moskva) along with vocalist Nikolay Noskov (ex-Moskva), bassist Alexander "Big Sasha" Minkov, guitarist Yan Yanenkov and drummer Alexander Lvov (ex-Aria) came together. Stas Namin, a famous 1970s Soviet musician, became the band's manager. Because Mikhail Gorbachev lifted the censorship, many underground rock bands, including Gorky Park, were able to gain wider popularity that predecessors. Later that year the band left Russia for the United States in search of a record deal.

In the U.S. the band soon made some connections in the record business. One of the first people to take notice was Frank Zappa. Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora also helped to secure them a deal with 'Mercury Records'.

The band released a self-titled debut album in 1989 featuring initials "GP" stylized as a hammer and sickle on the cover. It wasn't long after that Gorky Park would become the first Russian act to be featured on MTV with their first video for Bang. The next singles, Try to Find Me and a collaboration with Bon Jovi in the form of Peace in Our Time also received rotation on mainstream radio stations.

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Gorky Park then participated in the Moscow Music Peace Festival alongside Bon Jovi, Motley Crue, Skid Row, Cinderella, Ozzy Osbourne and Scorpions. Gorky Park also joined the other acts from the festival on the compilation album Stairway to Heaven/Highway to Hell. This album included each band performing one song from an artist who died from, or a band who lost a member to, drug problems. Gorky Park's contribution was a cover of The Who's My Generation.

The band moved into 1990 touring with Bon Jovi and performing at the Goodwill Games opening ceremony. The band's live shows often featured the band dressed in traditional Russian style, waving Soviet and American flags.

As the Perestroika era came to its end, leaving to the collapse of the "iron curtain", the group's fame subsided quickly. Noskov left the band in 1990 with Minkov taking over as lead vocalist. Although the US market was waning, Moscow Calling (1992) sold 500,000 copies outside the US.

Stare (1996) was released only in Russia. Protivofazza (1998) followed. In 1999, Noskov returned to sing Bang for a one-off event. Minkov started his solo career under the stage name Alexander Marshall. At this time, the membership consisted of Alexey Belov (vocals/guitars), Yan Yanenkov (guitars), Alexander Bagnov (bass) and Alexander Makin (drums).

Gorky Park, although not officially disbanded have been inactive since 2001. Belov and Yanenkov continued to perform Gorky Park songs in their bands Belov Park and Musicians of the Gorky Park Band.

On November 18, 2012, the band played a special show in Crocus City Hall in Moscow to celebrate their 25th anniversary. Nikolay Noskov joined the band on stage for to sing Bang.

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Gorky Park

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