The main thing in life is love. Andrei Kovalev declassified the secret family Singer and composer Andrey Kovalev

Andrey Kovalev is a Russian singer, poet, composer, producer, radio and TV presenter, in the recent past the leader of the Pilgrim group, an organizer of rock festivals. In 2005-2008 he held rock festivals “Glory to Russia! Glory to Moscow!”, “Glory to Russia! Glory to the Eagle! and “Glory to Russia! Glory to Nizhny Novgorod! At the largest of them in Moscow, the number of spectators reached 40,000. He is the organizer of the festival for young groups "On the Fly!", created and finances free rehearsal venues for young groups. Since 2011, he has been engaged in a solo career, performing lyrical compositions.

Family and education

Andrey Kovalev was born in Moscow in the family of a military man and an opera singer. Andrei's mother sang at the Bolshoi Theater for 35 years, his father is a colonel in the Soviet Army.

Mom always actively introduced her son to music. Violin, cello, double bass - four hours of lessons every day. However, dad, a colonel in the Soviet Army, saw Andrei in a more courageous profession and gave his son a motorcycle. After a close acquaintance with technology, Andrey got excited about the idea of ​​​​becoming an engineer. In 1979 he graduated from the Moscow Automobile and Road Institute (MADI), worked at a secure enterprise, continued to ride a motorcycle, and participated in motocross competitions. Later, fascinated by sculpture, the first time he entered the Stroganov School, one of the oldest art schools in the USSR in the field of industrial, monumental, decorative and applied art and interior art.

Musical career

For a long time, Andrei did not even think about studying music. The source of inspiration turned out to be as old as the world: great and pure love. Moreover, as it often happens, love is not easy and far from a happy ending. When Andrei sang his debut compositions to fellow musicians, the reaction of professionals was positive. So the idea to take a musical career seriously arose. Since 2006, Andrei Kovalev has been the frontman of the Pilgrim group, since 2011 he has been a solo artist. According to the established tradition, solo concerts of the performer are held in the Moscow club "Alma Mater" and "Variety Theatre", gathering full halls of fans of Andrei Kovalev's work.

Rock band "Pilgrim"

The history of the rock group "Pilgrim" began when Andrey Kovalev was still a student. Like-minded students of MADI organized VIA. Andrey Kovalev played the bass guitar. The musician recalls: “Our group was called Wings of Anger, later Rus. At almost every festival we had a new name, and so it went on until I accidentally met the same guitarist who suggested that we return the old name "Pilgrim". And on the same day I wrote the song "Pilgrim".

In October 2006, the presentation of the video of the group "Pilgrim" for the song of the same name, which became the first single of the future album in the style of hard rock, took place. The video, which was shot by the famous director Alexander Solokha, contains a lot of high-quality computer graphics that turned a gloomy reality into a fantastic world of the future.

At the 2007 international rock festival BASINFIREFEST, which was held in the Czech Republic, Kovalev and his group "Pilgrim" represented Russia.

Opponent of the phonogram

It is noteworthy that all Andrey Kovalev's concerts are performed live. The singer is an ardent opponent of the phonogram. He is a co-author of the Moscow bill "On the procedure for informing consumers when using a phonogram", the initiator of concerts on City Day 2006 "Pops without a phonorama", concerts of Russian pop stars "We are for live sound!".

“Unfortunately, the law did not pass,” Andrey Kovalev comments, “but I think that the main thing is a certain moral component. Then everyone said - who needs this live sound ?! Television, all central channels - there will never be live sound. Everyone said, including journalists, that people come only to look at the stars, and what he sings, how he sings - it was absolutely unimportant. And if you look now at the top five most paid musicians - these are those who only sing live! There are no plywood workers among them! If you look at the most rated projects, for example, “Voice” on Channel One, everyone also sings only live. Here you are - on the TV channel "Russia 1" "Factor A" with Alla Borisovna Pugacheva - only live! RU TV award, MUZ TV - they defiantly announced - only live! On the "New Wave" Igor Krutoy announced that this year there would be only live sound, and immediately half of the stars were eliminated! Those past my undertakings are now being actively implemented today, as you can see. And now the thought is widely spreading: It's a shame to sing under the plywood!

In addition, Andrey Kovalev is the organizer and inspirer of the live music tours “Glory to Russia!”. In the capital twice - in 2005 and 2006. – Powerful rock festivals “Glory to Russia! Glory to Moscow!”, in the summer of 2006 rock festivals “Glory to Russia! Glory to the Eagle! and “Glory to Russia! Glory to Nizhny Novgorod!

Albums and star duets

In 2004, the debut album "Salt, Tequila and a Slice of Lime" was released, named after the hit that the public loved. The plot of the video for this song is borrowed from Robert Rodriguez's tape "Desperado": "el mariacho" confronts a gang of bikers. As the singer admits, this action is very close to him and partly resembles his own biography. The video, directed by Alexander Solokha, uses Andrey Kovalev's own Harley Davidson and his rare 1964 Cadillac convertible.

The second album, titled Sky Xin, was released in 2005. Also, the audience remembered the bright video clips "Salt, tequila and a slice of lime" (2004), "New Year's Tale" (2004), "Spring of the 45th" (2005), "Sky Blue" (2005), which entered the hot rotation on many TV channels.

In 2006, Andrei Kovalev, together with Diana Gurtskaya, recorded the duet composition "Nine Months" (music by Kim Breitburg, lyrics by Ilya Reznik). The song, dedicated to young mothers, became the soundtrack to the film of the same name, aired on Channel One. Some time later, the song became a real hit, occupying the top lines of the charts of many radio stations for many months. Seven years later, the song is still heard on radio stations, breaking a kind of national love record.

Andrey Kovalev managed to record duets with very famous pop artists: Sasha Project ("Song of Santa Claus"), Lyubasha ("Falling"), the group "Tutsi" ("Train of Love"), Katya Lel ("Man and Woman", " New Year's story") and rapper Loc-Dog ("Slowly it snowed"). Several songs by Andrei Kovalev are performed by Danko and Katya Lel.

Video clips

Pamela Anderson starred in the Roar of Engines (2008) sketch, which is a mini-movie. The musician recalls: “I have been friends with Pamela Anderson for a long time. I even wrote a song about her, revealing the history of our relationship. The last two lines there are: “If you don’t return to Moscow, I’ll cheat on you with Lady Gaga.” Pamela was married twice, but never wore a wedding dress, and she never had a real wedding. Therefore, when she found out that she was offered to appear in a wedding dress, she immediately agreed to participate. In addition, she liked our song “Roar of Engines”.

Dolph Lundgren starred in another video for Pilgrim (Don't Extinguish the Candle, 2009). In his interviews, Andrey Kovalev says: “Dolph Lundgren called and said that he was filming the film “Command Performance” and wanted us to play ourselves there. He chose one of our songs, which we performed in the film. There, according to the plot, at a music festival, terrorists seized hostages, including the president of Russia - he shoots at the bandits from a machine gun in the picture ... And we made our video after filming based on frames from the film.

In 2009, the video clip "Judas" was released, filmed in collaboration with the band Apocalyptica.

In 2011-2012, 12 new clips were released on the screens of the leading music channels in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus: “Marta”, “Forgotten”, “If only you could”, “Fly”, “Maple Leaf”, “I will be all my life wait for you”, “I’m not a hero”, “Pamela”, “My woman” with Elena Korikova, “God given to me”, which starred theater and film actress Olesya Sudzilovskaya, “Give me back that fire” with the participation of Olga Budina and New Year’s video for the song "It's snowing."

In May 2013, he received the title of "Klipoman of the Year", having won in one of the nominations of the prestigious music award of the RU.TV channel for the record number of clips shot in a year (9 video works).

In 2013, Agata Muceniece, the lead actress in the TV series Closed School, took part in the filming of Andrey Kovalev's video for the song “And I keep dreaming of your eyes”. Andrey also shot a video in memory of actor Vlad Galkin with Vladimir Gostyukhin and Alexei Panin in the lead roles.

Poetry

To date, Kovalev is known for many creative endeavors. He wrote about 700 songs of different genres - from rock ballads to romances. Simultaneously with the songs, verses appeared, which were noticed in the poetic community. A book of lyrics "Pearls and Velvet" (2004) was released. In the preface to Kovalev's book of poems, the famous Moscow writer Alexander Govorov writes: “He is obliged to come to the reader like a lyric poet! I am proud that I had the honor to present the first book of lyrics by Andrey Kovalev, and a smart and supportive reader will appreciate it himself ... ". In 2006, a collection of poems "The sky is blue" was released. In 2012, the publishing house "Academy of Poetry" released the third collection of poems "To You Alone".

“All my songs and poems are my life! - comments Andrey Kovalev. - Of course, through the prism of creativity, but still it is in poetry and songs. That is why, probably, it catches people - after all, this creativity is not invented, but it is experienced! Unrequited love, in my opinion, is the best engine of creativity!”

Television and radio

Andrey Kovalev hosted a number of programs on television and radio, including: the author's program on the radio "Moscow Speaks", "Formula of Success" (channel "Capital"), "Man and Woman" (radio "Pops"), "Live Sound" (Public Russian radio). Today Andrei is himself a regular guest of various television talk shows and guest broadcasts on many radio stations.

Charity

As a deputy of the Moscow City Duma, Andrey Kovalev (2005-2009) initiated concerts in Moscow on the City Day in 2006 "Pop music without a phonogram". As a deputy, Andrey remarked in his public speeches: “Why doesn’t anyone in America or Germany sing to a phonogram? Because if someone takes a risk, then everything else he will become the object of the most cruel ridicule - the Western press smears such performers on the wall.

Under his patronage, there were performances by Russian pop stars “We are for live sound!”. Andrey Kovalev was the organizer of a number of musical events, including the touring patriotic rock festival Slava Rossii, the festival for young bands Take Off!, and concerts by the Master group.

In Moscow, Andrei Kovalev provided five free rehearsal facilities for young musicians. These bases are equipped with all musical instruments necessary for rehearsal. “I invite all young musicians to conduct their rehearsal absolutely free of charge,” Andrey Kovalev says in each interview. - I'm sure that future Metallica or Iron Maiden rehearse at these bases. Those for whom music is a hobby also come. Here the main thing is different - people have an outlet! There is an opportunity to make music, even if their dad is not an oligarch.”

Andrey Kovalev takes an active part in numerous charity concerts and events aimed at social support of Moscow residents, students of boarding schools for orphans and children left without parental care, pupils of the Preobrazhensky Cadet Corps, war and labor veterans, large families, single mothers and others categories of socially vulnerable citizens.

In 2005, Andrey Kovalev accused Neftyanoy Bank of raider seizure of a blocking stake in Auto-Prestige 1.

Andrei Kovalev is the godfather of Emilia, daughter of Katya Lel (godmother - Lyudmila Narusova) and Ivan, son of Stepan Menshchikov.

On June 30, 2010, attackers stole the musician's exclusive bike, which was assembled by special order in the most famous tuning studio in Europe, Fred Kodlin. The motorcycle was soon found.

Among the fans of creativity, even fans of 86 years old are noted.

In May 2013, Andrei Kovalev accused two top managers of Rosbank, Chairman of the Board Vladimir Golubkov and Senior Vice President Tamara Polyanitsyna, of extorting a bribe of $1.5 million to prolong a loan agreement, reduce the loan rate and the amount of monthly payments. On May 15, Golubkov and Polyanitsina were formally charged.

In 2013, Andrey Kovalev received the title of "Klipoman of the Year", having won in one of the nominations of the prestigious music award of the RU.TV channel for the record number of clips shot in a year (9 video works).

In 2013, Andrei lost 25 kg of excess weight. Leads a healthy lifestyle, is engaged in fitness.

Andrey Kovalev believes that the main thing in life is love. “She (love) is more important than work, career, worldly affairs,” says the singer. “Even if it is unrequited, love is still a great happiness!”

More than 300 songs have been recorded in the studio by Andrey Kovalev, and in general his repertoire includes more than 700 compositions. There are many poems that did not become songs. These are 4 collections. Andrey Kovalev records all new songs on his phone.

Andrey Kovalev collects turtles from different countries. “Everything happened by chance with the turtles,” Andrey says. - A friend gave one turtle, then another one, then a third. Then he himself saw another cool one on a trip. And off we go! All my friends now who come from abroad give me turtles, for my birthday they give me only turtles. The collection is growing so fast that there is nowhere to put the turtles.”

Discography

As part of the Pilgrim group

2007 - "Glory to Russia"

2008 - "There is no choice"

2008 - Concert in the Rain (DVD)

2009 - "Trizzy $" (single)

Solo career

2004 - "Salt, tequila ..."

2005 - "The sky is blue"

2007 - "Nine Months", "Man and Woman", "Ice and Fire"

2008 - "Romances"

2008 - "The Best Songs of Andrey Kovalev"

2012 - "My Woman"

59-year-old singer Andrei Kovalev is an enviable groom. The artist not only records songs, but also organizes festivals, and is also a producer. Kovalev's personal life was a secret for a long time. After breaking up with his wife Tatyana, the music star did not talk about his chosen ones. However, Andrei recently made an exception and spoke on the air of the First Channel program “About Love” about a 23-year-old common-law wife who gave birth to his son. Not so long ago, the celebrity family moved to the luxurious house of Kovalev.

For three years now, Kovalev has been in a relationship with a young Odessa resident, Maria Bulgakova. The age difference between the lovers is about 40 years. However, this does not bother either the artist or his young darling, who gave birth to the star's son Nikita. “He is my smartest and most educated child,” Kovalev is sincerely proud of his heir.

According to Kovalev, he immediately distinguishes between girls who only need money from a man. “They have a sparkle in their eyes, they are predators. It cannot be hidden, and it is visible. Sooner or later, she still blurts out, ”said Kovalev.

“When my mother found out that I was dating Andrei and I would have a child from him, she was most likely upset, but did not show it. She and I burst into tears together, she supported me, said that everything would be fine, ”said Maria Bulgakova.

Kovalev met Maria while walking down the street. “She was very modestly dressed. It was clear that this was a decent girl, ”recalls the singer. Without much thought, the artist invited a pretty young lady to star in his video, and also invited her to a karaoke club. Relations between Andrei and Mary developed rapidly. Then Kovalev decided to buy new things for the Odessa woman. According to the chosen one of the celebrity, he spent $ 500 on her - a decent amount of money at that time. However, after Maria heard the offer to go with Andrei to the hotel, she disappeared.

After some time, Kovalev returned to Ukraine. The artist’s romance with an Odessa woman spun with renewed vigor. The girl's pregnancy was a pleasant surprise for Andrei. Now the artist does not have a soul in his heir. “It was an amazing feeling for me. After all, I already have a daughter, and every man dreams of a son, ”said Kovalev.

// Photo: Frame of the program "About Love"

However, despite the seriousness of their relationship, the lovers are in no hurry to formalize them. At the same time, Maria dreams of a white dress and a solemn ceremony, but considers the stamp in her passport a formality. Andrei himself joked that at first he was waiting for several children from his beloved. The hosts of the program, Roza Syabitova and Sofiko Shevardnadze, insisted that Kovalev make an offer to the chosen one on the air. But Bulgakova said that she did not want to get married in this way.

Andrey Kovalev is a famous Russian singer, leader of the Pilgrim group. Today he is 61 years old, he is married. According to the sign of the zodiac, the man is Gemini. Many do not understand how, at his age, he can combine the work of a TV and radio host, a soloist of a group and a solo artist, as well as a successful businessman.

Biography of Andrei Kovalev

Our hero was born on June 7, 1957 in Moscow (Russia). He owes his talents to his mother, who was an opera singer and performed on the stage of the Bolshoi Theater for decades. Papa Andrey Kovalev dreamed of a military career from early childhood. He reached his goal and retired with the rank of colonel. From him, the boy inherited perseverance and purposefulness. Thanks to his father, Andrei grew up to be a real man.

The further fate of Kovalev

An ear for music in little Andrey Kovalev was noticed at the age of 4 years. Mom immediately decided to act, she took him to a music school in a piano class. Soon the son delighted his mother with small works. With teachers, he studied on weekends for 4 hours daily. It was very productive work. After some time, the guy mastered the double bass, violin and cello.

After graduating from school, Andrei Kovalev planned to enter a music school in the capital. However, his father was against such a "non-male" occupation, so he bought him a motorcycle. This played a role, the son went to get a driver's education in a road school.

The creative inclinations of the guy did not leave him alone, over time he decided to take up sculpture. Moreover, he decided to leave the educational institution, and entered the Stroganov Art School.

During the period of study, he was also fond of music, mastered the bass guitar and soon gathered like-minded guys. They decided to call themselves "Pilgrim".

Business

In the 80s, Kovalev slightly moved away from his hobbies and began to look for something that could bring him a stable high income. So, he decided to plunge headlong into business. He came up with the idea of ​​​​opening his own company for the manufacture of high-quality furniture. Soon, a new graph appeared in the biography of the singer Andrei Kovalev - the owner of the furniture production. Then he was called to a high position in the Forest Fund Department.

In the difficult 90s, Kovalev was able to survive among hundreds of enterprises that fell victim to the economic crisis in the country. In addition, he had an idea to reconstruct old abandoned factories into modern business centers.

In 2007, singer Andrey Kovalev spent more than $50 million to acquire the first pasta factory. As it turned out, at that time the production was going through hard times, and he decided to take advantage of this. He put the factory on its feet, then sold it to Italian entrepreneurs.

In 2011, our hero became one of the richest who got into Forbes magazine. He took 23rd place. It said that only by renting out real estate, an enterprising businessman was able to earn $ 55 million.

A few years later, Andrei again "hit" into creativity. He writes poetry and occasionally composes music. He handed over the business to his ex-wife.

Music in the life of Kovalev

About creativity, despite the tight schedule and constant employment, our hero never forgot. In 2005, he again decided to create a group, which, as he once did as a student, he called "Pilgrim". Andrei invested a lot of money in the team, connected some stars of Russian show business to the work.

He invited the famous Pamela Anderson to shoot the video for the rock ballad "Roar of Engines". She reincarnated as the bride of a wealthy man, who is stolen by a biker right from the wedding ceremony.

Also, the Pilgrim team took part in the filming of the famous film Dangerous Tour, he recorded the soundtrack for this film. The guys became famous for their collaboration with many famous rock bands from abroad.

In 2010, "Pilgrim" pleased fans with a disc called "7.62". A few months later they released another album, which they called "Martha". Many could not understand what was included in the name of the disc, a woman's name or a month of the year. The songs of Andrey Kovalev and his group were mainly about love, the meaning of life and lyrics.

Solo career

In 2011, Andrey again pleased the people with an album. This time with his solo, which he gave the name "My Woman". For the first time, compositions from it were presented in the capital's variety theater. Such celebrities of Russian show business as Katya Lel, Diana Gurtskaya, the Reflex group and Irakli also performed there.

Now Kovalev is still engaged in creativity, he cannot imagine his life without music. So, every year, fans have the opportunity to enjoy 3-5 new hits from their idol. Also in the videos for the songs of Andrei Kovalev, Russian pop stars are regularly filmed.

In addition to his career as an artist, Kovalev is the author of several collections of poems. One of them came out in 2017. At the moment, Andrey is working on another book, which he promises to release next year.

Personal life of Andrey Kovalev

A talented and prominent man has never been deprived of female attention.

A large army of his fans always gave him compliments, gifts, various offers, which, of course, he liked. However, after meeting with his future wife, he was no longer interested in other girls.

His first wife was Tatyana. They got married when Andrei was 30 years old. Some time later, a daughter, Julia, was born in the family. The couple broke up due to misunderstanding and domestic disagreements. At least, this is what Kovalev said in one of his interviews.

The man was lonely for a short time, he soon met a girl from the glorious Ukrainian city of Odessa. Her name is Maria Bulgakova. They have a big age difference, but this did not stop the couple from inflaming strong feelings for each other. They are not painted, but in 2014 the girl gave Andrei a son, whom they named Nikita.

Information has recently appeared in the press that our hero plans to formalize custody of the son of Anna Kalashnikova (model and famous actress). Rumor has it that he is the godson of this boy, and would like him to have a real father. Also, many talked about the fact that Andrei is the biological father of Daniel (Kalashnikova's son). The singer himself refutes this information, and the model reports that the father of her son is Prokhor Chaliapin.

Kovalev today

In 2018, our hero became the owner of a large land plot in the Moscow region. The complex, which Kovalev bought, has a historical value. So, from reliable sources it is known that the princes Bibikov, Golitsyn and Trubetskoy once lived there.

Andrei plans to restore everything that has lost its former appearance, and organize a huge museum on this territory. The wife supported her husband's idea, she promised to help him in any way she could.

Russian composer, songwriter, poet, radio and TV presenter, former leader of the group " Pilgrim", music producer, businessman.

The childhood and youth of Andrei Kovalev / Andrei Kovalev

Andrey Kovalev grew up in the family of an opera singer and a colonel in the Soviet Army. Andrey's mother devoted herself to work in Bolshoi Theater, performing on this stage for over 35 years. Such closeness to art, music in general, could not but affect the upbringing of little Andrei - the child learned to play the double bass, cello, violin. One day, his father gave Andrei a motorcycle, and the guy became interested in technical sciences. After school Andrey Kovalev enrolled in Moscow Automobile and Road Institute as an engineer, and then studied for several years at Stroganov Higher Art School.

The creative path of Andrei Kovalev / Andrei Kovalev

Our group was called Wings of Anger, later Rus. At almost every festival we had a new name, and so it went on until I accidentally met the same guitarist who suggested that we return the old name "Pilgrim". And on the same day I wrote the song "Pilgrim".

In 2006, the group's first single was released, and the first video was shot, in which a fantastic world of the future was created with the help of special effects. In 2007 Andrey Kovalev and group " Pilgrim"represented Russia at the Czech festival" BASINFIREFEST". It must be admitted that Andrey Kovalev performs exclusively with live sound, despising the phonogram, it is he who is the co-author of the Moscow bill " On the procedure for informing consumers when using a phonogram". Speeches Andrey Kovalev can be seen on the scenes Variety Theater"and the club" Alma mater».

If you look at the top five highest paid musicians, those are the ones who only sing live! If you look at the most rated projects, for example, "Voice" on Channel One - everyone sings live. In the program "Factor A" with Alla Borisovna Pugacheva - live! RU TV award, MUZ TV - defiantly announced - only live! And now the thought is spreading widely: It's a shame to sing under the plywood! - Andrey Kovalev comments.

In 2004 Andrey Kovalev releases his debut album Salt, tequila and lime slice". The video for the album's title track was based on the films directed by Robert Rodriguez - one hero confronts a gang of bikers. In the video you can see a personal Harley Davidson Andrey Kovalev and his rare 1964 Cadillac convertible. Second album Andrey Kovalev « Sky Blue"is released in 2005, and the singer's videos are broadcast on music channels.

In 2006, the "era of duets" begins in creativity Andrey Kovalev, duet composition " Nine month"With Diana Gurtskaya was very popular among listeners. Also Andrey Kovalev recorded songs along with duets with highly famous pop artists: Sasha Project("Song of Santa Claus"), Lyubasha(“Falling”), the group “” (“Train of Love”), Katya Lel (“Man and Woman”, “New Year's Story”) and rapper Loc dog(“The snow was falling slowly”).

In the clip " The roar of engines”, filmed as a mini-movie, in 2008 the main female role was played by Pamela Anderson herself.

I have been friends with Pamela Anderson for a long time. I even wrote a song about her, revealing the history of our relationship. The last two lines there are: “If you don’t return to Moscow, I’ll cheat on you with Lady Gaga.” Pamela was married twice, but never wore a wedding dress, and she never had a real wedding. Therefore, when she found out that she was offered to appear in a wedding dress, she immediately agreed to participate. - clarifies Andrey Kovalev.

A little bit later Andrey Kovalev collaborated with Dolph Lundgren, who starred in the band's music video " Pilgrim» « Don't blow out the candle", then with a group Apocalyptica clip was filmed Judas", in 2012 clips with Olesya Sudzilovskaya and Olga Budina were released, and in 2013 in clips Andrey Kovalev starred Agata Muceniece, Vladimir Gostyukhin and Alexei Panin.

In 2013, Andrey Kovalev received the title of "Klipoman of the Year" for the record number of clips shot in a year (nine).

All my songs and poems are my life! Of course, through the prism of creativity, but still it is in poems and songs. That is why, probably, it catches people - after all, this creativity is not invented, but it is experienced! Unrequited love, in my opinion, is the best engine of creativity! - Andrey Kovalev admits.

Also Andrey Kovalev successfully tried himself in the professional field of a radio host in the programs " Formula for success"(Capital channel)," Man and woman"(Radio "Pops"), " Live sound"(Public Russian radio).

Andrey Kovalyov. Personal life

Andrey Kovalev claims that he was officially married twice. In one of these unions, a daughter was born (1990), and one of the ex-wives is called Tatiana, and she is engaged in Kovalev's business.

In 2016, Andrei Kovalev presented his young lover to the public Maria Bulgakov. It turned out that the businessman met an Odessa woman of model appearance, who is almost 40 years younger than him, three years ago. Maria gave birth to Andrei's long-awaited son, but the businessman was in no hurry to go to the registry office. In November 2016, he moved 23-year-old Maria and her son to Moscow and took part in the filming of the show “About Love” for Channel One with them.

Andrey Kovalev believes that the main thing in life is love. “She (love) is more important than work, career, worldly affairs,” says the singer. “Even if it is unrequited, love is still a great happiness!”

Discography of Andrei Kovalev / Andrei Kovalev

As part of the Pilgrim group
2007 - "Glory to Russia"
2008 - "There is no choice"
2008 - Concert in the Rain (DVD)
2009 - "Trizzy $" (single)
2010 - "7.62"
2010 - "March"
Solo career
2004 - "Salt, tequila ..."
2005 - "The sky is blue"
2007 - "Nine Months", "Man and Woman", "Ice and Fire"
2008 - "Author's song"
2008 - "Romances"
2008 - "The Best Songs of Andrey Kovalev"
2012 - "My Woman"

Russian businessman and public figure. Owner of the Ecooffice group of companies, singer, songwriter, radio and TV presenter, leader of the Pilgrim group, music producer, organizer of rock festivals.

Andrey Kovalev was born in Moscow in the family of a military man and an opera singer. Andrei's mother sang at the Bolshoi Theater for 35 years, his father is a colonel in the Soviet Army.

Divorced, daughter born in 1990

Education

Andrei mastered musical instruments in the preschool period: "violin, cello, double bass - four hours of lessons every day." After school, Andrei planned to enter the school at the Conservatory in the double bass class. However, fate decreed otherwise and he graduated from the Moscow Automobile and Road Institute. Later, carried away by sculpture, he entered the Stroganov Higher Art School, where he studied for several years.

Business and charity

In the late 80s, Andrei Kovalev organized the Prestige company for the sale of furniture. At the same time, he led a political career, was the Deputy Department of the Forest Fund, a member of the Ministry of Antimonopoly Policy.

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, he began to create large business centers on the territories of Moscow factories that were closing, reconstructing them according to his own sketches.

In August 2007, Andrei Kovalev bought three unprofitable pasta factories in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Smolensk, as well as the Extra M and Noble trademarks. The deal amounted to $55 million.

In 2008, he created the 1Rock media holding, which included the 1Rock rock club (the current name of the club is Pipl), the 1Rock magazine, a satellite TV channel, an Internet portal and a radio station dedicated to rock music. In 2010 the project was closed.

Andrei Kovalev actively participates in charity concerts and events aimed at social support of Moscow residents, helps students of boarding schools for orphans, pupils of the Preobrazhensky Cadet Corps, war and labor veterans, single mothers and other representatives of the categories of socially unprotected citizens.

Musical career

With the Finnish team "Apocalyptic"

In his student years, he played the bass guitar in the Pilgrim band. The musician himself recalls:

Our own group was called Wings of Anger, later Rus. At almost every festival we had a new name, and so it went on until I accidentally met the same guitarist who suggested that we return the old name "Pilgrim". And on the same day I wrote the song "Pilgrim" ... We performed more and more music "Deep Purple"

In 2004, Andrei Kovalev resumed his creative career, again began to write poetry and songs. He released several solo albums, recorded duets with a number of famous pop artists (Lyubasha, Sasha project, Katya Lel, Tutsi), which were actively broadcast on leading TV channels. Several songs by Andrei Kovalev are performed by pop stars (Danko and Katya Lel). In 2006, together with Diana Gurtskaya, he recorded the duet "Nine Months" (music by Kim Breitburg, lyrics by Ilya Reznik). The song, dedicated to young mothers, was included in the soundtrack of the film of the same name. The work was appreciated by Alla Pugacheva.

In 2006, Andrey Kovalev became interested in heavy metal, recreated the Pilgrim group. In 2007, at the BASINFIREFEST rock festival (Czech Republic), Andrey Kovalev and his "Pilgrim" represented Russia. In 2008, guitarist Alexei Strike and drummer Alexander Karpukhin moved to Pilgrim after a split in the Master group. The band has released several heavy metal albums.

In 2005-2008 he held rock festivals “Glory to Russia! Glory to Moscow!”, “Glory to Russia! Glory to the Eagle! and “Glory to Russia! Glory to Nizhny Novgorod! At the largest of them in Moscow, the number of spectators reached 40,000.

He is the organizer of the festival for young groups "On the rise!", created and finances free rehearsal venues for his bands.

In 2011, the artist resumed his solo career and returned to creating and performing lyrical compositions.

Video clips

The team with Pamela after filming the video

Andrey Kovalyov, speaking about the work on the clip "Salt, tequila and a slice of lime" (directed by Alexander Solokha and cameraman Eduard Mashkovich, 2004), which involved the author's own Harley Davidson and a rare 1964 Cadillac convertible, noted that the plot borrowed from Robert Rodriguez's "Desperado": "el mariacho" confronts a biker gang:

“Despite some comical hyperbole, this ‘action’ is very close to me and kind of reminds me of my biography”

Along with the passion for "heavy" music, Kovalev is fond of riding bikes, which, like the passion for music, is rooted in his childhood, when his father-colonel gave him a Tula scooter. The biker theme is the leitmotif of many video clips of the Kovalev team. Pamela Anderson starred in the sketch "Roar of Engines" (year of release of the video - 2008), which is a mini-movie. The musician recalls:

I have been friends with Pamela Anderson for a long time. I even wrote a song about her, revealing the history of our relationship. The last two lines there are: “If you don’t return to Moscow, I’ll cheat on you with Lady Gaga.” Pamela was married twice, but never wore a wedding dress, and she never had a real wedding. That's why,

when she found out that she was offered to appear in a wedding dress, she immediately agreed to participate. In addition, she liked our song “Roar of Engines”.

Dolph Lundgren starred in another video for Pilgrim (Don't Extinguish the Candle, 2009). In his interviews Andrey Kovalev says:

Dolph Lundgren called and said that he was making a film "Command Performance" and wanted us to play ourselves there. He chose one of our songs, which we performed in the film. There, according to the plot, at a music festival, terrorists seized hostages, including the president of Russia - in the picture he shoots at bandits with a machine gun ... And we made our video after filming based on frames from the film.

In 2009, the video clip "Judas" was released, filmed in collaboration with the band Apocalyptica.

In 2011-2012, 12 new clips were released on the screens of the leading music channels in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus: “Marta”, “Forgotten”, “If only you could”, “Fly”, “Maple Leaf”, “I will be all my life wait for you”, “I’m not a hero”, “Pamela”, “My woman” with Elena Korikova, “God given to me”, which starred theater and film actress Olesya Sudzilovskaya, “Give me back that fire” with the participation of Olga Budina and New Year’s video for the song "It's snowing."

Poetry

Andrey Kovalev is the author of music and lyrics for most of his songs (he wrote more than 600 songs in different styles). In 2004 he published a book of poems "Pearls and Velvet", in 2006 - "The Sky is Blue". In April 2012, a collection of poems "To You Alone" was published.

Television and radio

Andrey Kovalev hosted a number of programs on television and radio, including:

"Formula of Success" (channel "Capital"),

"Man and Woman" (radio "Pops"),

"Live sound" (Public Russian radio).

Politics

In 2005-2009 Member of the Moscow City Duma.

In politics, Kovalev is known for promoting a bill to ban the use of a phonogram (co-author of the Moscow bill "On the procedure for informing consumers when using a phonogram"), as well as the fight against audio piracy. In this endeavor, he was supported by well-known domestic musicians, including Alexander Gradsky.

The deputy himself remarked in his public speeches:

Why in America or in Germany no one sings to the phonogram? Because, if someone takes a risk, then everything else he will become the object of the most severe ridicule - the Western press smears such performers on the wall.

When asked if the fighter against “plywood” is afraid of infringing on the financial interests of show business players and “repeating the sad fate of banker Andrei Kozlov or singer Abraham Russo,” the deputy replied:

I have good security, and in general I'm only afraid of colds. In general, there are a lot of dishonorable people in show business. No other business has that many. Black cash, bribery and shootouts remained in the 80s and 90s with red jackets, and only in show business did these birthmarks remain. We must eliminate them!

As a deputy, Andrey Kovalev initiated concerts in Moscow on the City Day in 2006 "Pops without a phonogram".

Under his patronage, there were performances by Russian pop stars “We are for live sound!”.

Andrey Kovalev was the organizer of a number of musical events, including the touring patriotic rock festival Slava Rossii, the festival for young bands Take Off!, and concerts by the Master group.

Criticism

The personality and work of Andrei Kovalev is actively covered in the media, receiving conflicting reviews from journalists and critics.

Viktor Shenderovich published several devastating articles about the Pilgrim group, where he wrote that there was no soul in Kovalev's songs and performance, and “instead of a meaningful action, there was a vulgar show designed for a foolish public. And excesses of temperament break out of the wrong places. Also, the journalist was extremely dissatisfied with the remake of Viktor Tsoi's song "Change".

Nikolai Fandeev has the same opinion about Kovalev. Reviewing the Sky Blue album, he wrote that it was "a futile attempt by an unlucky singer to perform a mixture of restaurant music and tasteless Soviet pop music of the 70s of the last century."

Sonya Sokolova assesses Andrey Kovalev and the results of his creative work more positively: “Andrey Kovalev does everything very, very well: some of the best arrangers and musicians work with him, he organizes festivals and actively helps young bands, and at the same time became a co-owner of a large news agency ”,“ if you look at Kovalev more closely, you understand: in front of you is a person who has very skillfully and humorously constructed a public image for himself and painstakingly working for him.

Many neutral and positive publications are devoted to the fight against phonogram performances.

Andrei Kovalev is the godfather of Emilia, daughter of Katya Lel (godmother - Lyudmila Narusova).

On June 30, 2010, attackers stole the musician's exclusive bike, which was assembled by special order in the most famous tuning studio in Europe, Fred Kodlin. The motorcycle was soon found