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Metallica Plays Song By Soviet-Era Rock Star At Moscow Concert

Viktor Tsoi was born in Leningrad in June 1962. His family heritage was Korean. He was kicked out of a Soviet art academy at the age of 15. Two years later, in 1979, he began writing songs.
1/6 Viktor Tsoi was born in Leningrad in June 1962. His family heritage was Korean. He was kicked out of a Soviet art academy at the age of 15. Two years later, in 1979, he began writing songs.
Viktor Tsoi, front man for the popular Soviet band Kino, died in a car crash on August 15, 1990. Twenty-five years later, the lasting influence of the man often dubbed Russia's Jim Morrison continues to be felt.
Also in 1982, Tsoi formed the band Kino and the group recorded its first album, 45. The song Elektrichka, about a man stuck on a commuter train going in the wrong direction, was taken as a metaphor for life in the Soviet Union and was promptly banned by the authorities.
2/6 Also in 1982, Tsoi formed the band Kino and the group recorded its first album, 45. The song Elektrichka, about a man stuck on a commuter train going in the wrong direction, was taken as a metaphor for life in the Soviet Union and was promptly banned by the authorities.
Viktor Tsoi, front man for the popular Soviet band Kino, died in a car crash on August 15, 1990. Twenty-five years later, the lasting influence of the man often dubbed Russia's Jim Morrison continues to be felt.
Tsoi and Kino quickly became a sensation. In 1983, they debuted their song I Declare My Home (A Nuclear-Free Zone). In 1986, the band released (We Want) Changes! -- an anthem calling on the young generation to become more active and demand political change. The song made Kino's reputation across the Soviet Union.
3/6 Tsoi and Kino quickly became a sensation. In 1983, they debuted their song I Declare My Home (A Nuclear-Free Zone). In 1986, the band released (We Want) Changes! -- an anthem calling on the young generation to become more active and demand political change. The song made Kino's reputation across the Soviet Union.
Viktor Tsoi, front man for the popular Soviet band Kino, died in a car crash on August 15, 1990. Twenty-five years later, the lasting influence of the man often dubbed Russia's Jim Morrison continues to be felt.
Tsoi married Marianna Rodovanskaya in 1985. Later that year, their son, Aleksandr, was born. Marianna, who died of cancer in 2005, was Tsoi's heir and controlled the rights to his music after his death.
4/6 Tsoi married Marianna Rodovanskaya in 1985. Later that year, their son, Aleksandr, was born. Marianna, who died of cancer in 2005, was Tsoi's heir and controlled the rights to his music after his death.
Viktor Tsoi, front man for the popular Soviet band Kino, died in a car crash on August 15, 1990. Twenty-five years later, the lasting influence of the man often dubbed Russia's Jim Morrison continues to be felt.
After his tragic death in August 1990 in a car crash, Tsoi's friends and fans held a tribute concert in Moscow. Earlier that year, Kino had played its largest concert ever -- bringing 62,000 fans to Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium.
5/6 After his tragic death in August 1990 in a car crash, Tsoi's friends and fans held a tribute concert in Moscow. Earlier that year, Kino had played its largest concert ever -- bringing 62,000 fans to Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium.
Viktor Tsoi, front man for the popular Soviet band Kino, died in a car crash on August 15, 1990. Twenty-five years later, the lasting influence of the man often dubbed Russia's Jim Morrison continues to be felt.
The photo shows a portrait of Tsoi in downtown St. Petersburg. In 2014, United Russia lawmaker Yevgeny Fyodorov caused a sensation by claiming that the CIA wrote Tsoi's songs as part of its effort to destroy the Soviet Union. Tsoi's son has sued Fyodorov for defaming his father.
6/6 The photo shows a portrait of Tsoi in downtown St. Petersburg. In 2014, United Russia lawmaker Yevgeny Fyodorov caused a sensation by claiming that the CIA wrote Tsoi's songs as part of its effort to destroy the Soviet Union. Tsoi's son has sued Fyodorov for defaming his father.
Viktor Tsoi, front man for the popular Soviet band Kino, died in a car crash on August 15, 1990. Twenty-five years later, the lasting influence of the man often dubbed Russia's Jim Morrison continues to be felt.
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The American rock band Metallica has surprised fans in Moscow by performing a song in the Russian capital by the late Soviet-era rock star Viktor Tsoi.

In the middle of the concert at Moscow's Luzhniki Sports Stadium on July 21, the group's bassist Robert Trujillo and lead guitarist Kirk Hammett suddenly started performing one of Tsoi's most popular songs -- Gruppa Krovi (Blood Type). They sang the song in the Russian language.

The group's fans started singing the song together with Metallica.

Tsoi and his group, Kino, were extremely popular in the Soviet Union during the late 1980s.

His songs are widely seen as symbolizing the hopes of ordinary Soviet citizens for freedom and political change.

Tsoi, who was of Korean-Russian origin, died in a car crash in Latvia at the age of 28 on August 15, 1990.

Kino's last live concert was at Moscow's Luzhniki Sports Stadium on June 20, 1990 -- just weeks before Tsoi's death.

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