Accessibility links

Breaking News

Internet Sensation 'Mr. Trololo' Dies


Eduard Khil
Eduard Khil
A Russian singer who became a viral Internet sensation in 2010 has died aged 77.

Eduard Khil, a Brezhnev-era Russian singer dubbed "Mr. Trololo" after a video featuring his unique brand of baritone yodeling, suffered a stroke more than a week ago.

Khil (also spelled as Hill) was living in relative obscurity until he was catapulted into stardom once again when a clip of his 1976 song "I Am Very Happy Because I Am Finally Coming Home" went viral in the United States.



He was inundated with interview requests and calls for him to go back on tour.

He spoke to RFE/RL's Claire Bigg in 2010 and even sang to her down the phone. (Read the interview here.)

Khil was awarded the prestigious title of People's Artist of Russia in 1974 and was honored with the Russian Order for Services to the Homeland in 2009.

The Associated Press quotes a press officer at the city's culture department, Ksenia Kachalova, as saying Khil died in a St. Petersburg hospital on the night of June 3.

President Vladimir Putin has sent his condolences to Khil's family.

Mr. Trololo is trending on Twitter worldwide. Here's a quick sampling of tweets:

About This Blog

Written by RFE/RL editors and correspondents, Transmission serves up news, comment, and the odd silly dictator story. While our primary concern is with foreign policy, Transmission is also a place for the ideas -- some serious, some irreverent -- that bubble up from our bureaus. The name recognizes RFE/RL's role as a surrogate broadcaster to places without free media. You can write us at transmission+rferl.org

Latest Posts

XS
SM
MD
LG