Vysotsky biography

Until his death, Vladimir Vysotsky was a prophet without honor in his own country; although he wrote more than a thousand highly popular songs, he died without an official record release to his name. The reason for this studied neglect lay in the political tenor of his material. Vysotsky, who began performing in the 1960s, was quite critical of the Communist regime, and his lyrics took position on the Soviet status quo.

Mikhail Bulgakov

His songs derived from the blatny pesny (literally, delinquent song) tradition, with its celebration of sex, drink, and street fights. Informally distributed cassettes ensured Vysotsky a wide and enthusiastic following. After his death, in 1980, Gorbachev granted his music an imprimatur and a 20-album retrospective was released. ~ Leon Jackson, All-Music Guide
 
 
Reuters report about the 60th anniversary of Vladimir Vysotsky (1938-1980):
 
..."He embodied all that is Russian.

He was Russia," said Vasily Ovchinnikov, a 43-year-old market seller clu Vysotsky, Vladimir - GETAN