Vitas FAQ
The Not-So-Official Vitas F.A.Q
So you've been introduced to Vitas. Here are some things you need to know
Who is Vitas?
Childhood & Family
Vitas (real name Vitaliy Vladasovich Grachyev) was born in Latvia on February 19, 1979 (Regardless of what Wiki says). When he was little his family moved to Odessa, Ukraine, and he was raised there. Both his mother (Liliya Mikhailovna) and his grandfather (Arkaidy Davidovich) were big influences in his life. His mother died (i believe) in 2002 and he was heartbroken and dedicated his next two CDs to her ("Mama" and "The Songs of my Mother") as well as the individual songs "Mama" and "Opernaya"
There are pictures from Vitas' childhood of him playing at a piano, and his grandfather has said he liked to climb trees and swim. Vitas has said in an interview that he almost drowned after diving into too-shallow water and hitting his head.
Vitas duets with his grandpa on the song "Friendship." When Vitas' grandpa can't travel with him, Vitas performs his grandpa's verses while wearing similar glasses and affecting his voice to sound like his grandpa.
Vitas keeps his current life closely contained, and does not do many interviews. We respect his right to have a private life separate from his stage presence
Here is a the best interview i've read, from Wikimusic.com
The Artist
Vitas had his stupendous voice even as a young boy. He entered a singing contest in Odessa but was denied from competing because he sang in Russian and not Ukranian. His voice extends beyond a 5 octave range. Here is a good article about his singing ability.
He writes most of his own songs, some he sings are old favorites, some are by other composers but written for him. He debuted in 2000 with the single "Opera 2."
He has released 9 full length cds, 2 single recordings, and several compilation cds.
He is active on the internet. His song "Kiss as Long as Eternity" contains the lyrics "hard in reality, lets do it virtually, (on the) internet" and he has one song simply titled "Internet Mood". He has said himself that he spends time designing and enjoying his website, www.vitas.com.ru.
He also designs fashion. He has had one show of clothes he designs for women. He designs all of the costumes he wears on stage.
He is an actor, now branching out from small roles in a short film and a Russian soap opera to a full-length film, "Mulan". "Mulan" is due to be out in China on Dec. 25th 2009, and will be shown at 2010's Cannes Film Festival, which Vitas is reported to be attending. Hopefully we will get to see it in the USA as soon as humanly possible!
People close to him
Sergey Pudovkin- Vitas' producer
Andrey- Vitas' bodyguard until about 2008. They appeared to be good friends
Sasha- Vitas' new bodyguard
D.I.V.A.-- Vitas' band. Very talented artists, they accompany Vitas to all his concerts and play their own music while Vitas does costume changes
Members are:
Sasha Gruzdyev - (not bodyguard) Lead Guitarist---a fan favorite
Andrey Artyemov - Bass Guitarist, replaced Rashyt Kiyamov
Vasily Musatov - Keyboardist
Rushan Harryasov - Percussion
Nikolai Ustyuzhanin - Conductor of the Premium Concert Orchestra, which has toured with Vitas on many occasions (Most recently to China for the Sleepless Nights tour)
**this FAQ is a work in progress. Any further questions are ALWAYS welcome, please feel free to comment!**
So you've been introduced to Vitas. Here are some things you need to know
Who is Vitas?
Childhood & Family
Vitas (real name Vitaliy Vladasovich Grachyev) was born in Latvia on February 19, 1979 (Regardless of what Wiki says). When he was little his family moved to Odessa, Ukraine, and he was raised there. Both his mother (Liliya Mikhailovna) and his grandfather (Arkaidy Davidovich) were big influences in his life. His mother died (i believe) in 2002 and he was heartbroken and dedicated his next two CDs to her ("Mama" and "The Songs of my Mother") as well as the individual songs "Mama" and "Opernaya"
There are pictures from Vitas' childhood of him playing at a piano, and his grandfather has said he liked to climb trees and swim. Vitas has said in an interview that he almost drowned after diving into too-shallow water and hitting his head.
Vitas duets with his grandpa on the song "Friendship." When Vitas' grandpa can't travel with him, Vitas performs his grandpa's verses while wearing similar glasses and affecting his voice to sound like his grandpa.
Vitas keeps his current life closely contained, and does not do many interviews. We respect his right to have a private life separate from his stage presence
Here is a the best interview i've read, from Wikimusic.com
The Artist
Vitas had his stupendous voice even as a young boy. He entered a singing contest in Odessa but was denied from competing because he sang in Russian and not Ukranian. His voice extends beyond a 5 octave range. Here is a good article about his singing ability.
He writes most of his own songs, some he sings are old favorites, some are by other composers but written for him. He debuted in 2000 with the single "Opera 2."
He has released 9 full length cds, 2 single recordings, and several compilation cds.
He is active on the internet. His song "Kiss as Long as Eternity" contains the lyrics "hard in reality, lets do it virtually, (on the) internet" and he has one song simply titled "Internet Mood". He has said himself that he spends time designing and enjoying his website, www.vitas.com.ru.
He also designs fashion. He has had one show of clothes he designs for women. He designs all of the costumes he wears on stage.
He is an actor, now branching out from small roles in a short film and a Russian soap opera to a full-length film, "Mulan". "Mulan" is due to be out in China on Dec. 25th 2009, and will be shown at 2010's Cannes Film Festival, which Vitas is reported to be attending. Hopefully we will get to see it in the USA as soon as humanly possible!
People close to him
Sergey Pudovkin- Vitas' producer
Andrey- Vitas' bodyguard until about 2008. They appeared to be good friends
Sasha- Vitas' new bodyguard
D.I.V.A.-- Vitas' band. Very talented artists, they accompany Vitas to all his concerts and play their own music while Vitas does costume changes
Members are:
Sasha Gruzdyev - (not bodyguard) Lead Guitarist---a fan favorite
Andrey Artyemov - Bass Guitarist, replaced Rashyt Kiyamov
Vasily Musatov - Keyboardist
Rushan Harryasov - Percussion
Nikolai Ustyuzhanin - Conductor of the Premium Concert Orchestra, which has toured with Vitas on many occasions (Most recently to China for the Sleepless Nights tour)
**this FAQ is a work in progress. Any further questions are ALWAYS welcome, please feel free to comment!**