Nikolay Rastorguyev
Nikolay Vyacheslavovich Rastorguyev is the lead singer of the Russian group Lyube.
In 1978, Nikolay was the soloist for the band "Шестеро молодых," but his first note came during his 1980-1985 stint in the band "Лейся, песня." There he befriended Valery Kipelov, who was later to form Aria. After Leysya Pesnya split, Rastorguyev spent a year in the band Rondo before joining newly formed Lyube. Since then, Nikolay remains the band's only permanent member.
He has also starred in a couple of movies and released a solo English language album.
In 1997, Rastorguyev was given the honorary title People's Artist of Russia. On the occasion of his 50th birthday in 2007, Russian President Vladimir Putin awarded Nikolay with the state order "For Merit to the Fatherland," Fourth class. Rastorguyev became a member of the Russian Duma in 2010 as a representative of the ruling party United Russia.
In March 2014, Rastorguyev signed a letter in support of the position of the President of Russia Vladimir Putin on the situation in Ukraine and Crimea. For "statements contradicted the interests of our national security" he was then banned from entering Ukraine. Crimea since March 2014 is under dispute between Russia and Ukraine.
