Revisiting the Awful State-Approve Pop of the USSR

March 15, 2017 Alan Cross 0 Comments

Back in the USSR, western pop and rock music was considered to be nothing more than tools of capitalist stooges. Good Soviets did not listen to this trash; those who did might enjoy a nighttime visit from the KGB.

As a substitute, the government commissioned something called Vocal-Instrumental Ensembles. Even the name sounds like that came out of a factory somewhere east of Minsk. Their output was closely monitored for anything that might be considered anti-Soviet, anti-party or in any way subversive.

Boing Boing has unearthed this link to some of these groups. And be forewarned: they’re truly awful. Read the whole story here.

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

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