Fyodor Valentinovich Chistyakov, nicknamed "Uncle Fyodor", is a rock musician, accordion player, guitarist, songwriter, composer, founder and leader of the famous group "Zero", and later - the group Bayan, Harp & Blues.
Fans of Russian rock of the 1980s and 1990s remember Chistyakov very well, who invariably appeared on stage in a vest and holding a button accordion.
Group "Zero" was different from other musical groups performing Russian rock. Only Uncle Fyodor played a virtuoso solo on the button accordion, there were no other such bands in the country.
Their popularity peaked in the early 1990s. Almost all rock music lovers knew the famous songs "I go, smoke" and "Merry Indian". Some of the compositions written by Chistyakov are still played on the radio and get into rotation.
Biography facts
Fedor was born in the winter of 1967 in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg). Nothing is known about his father. The boy was raised by his mother. According to Fedor, she practically could not walk, was on a disability and suffered from schizophrenia.
Mom often told Fedor about the days of the war she had gone through, about how hard it was for her in those years. In the post-war period, she worked at a factory surrounded by men, so the woman's character was very difficult. She always knew how to stand up for herself and did not go into her pocket for a word.
The family lived in a communal apartment, where they occupied one small room. Fedor recalled that he could never invite friends to visit him, he was simply ashamed of the conditions in which the family lived.
Chistyakov early began to take an interest in creativity. Perhaps it was this hobby that allowed him to find joy, which he lacked so much in everyday life, which seemed gray and dull to Fedor.
First, Fedor began to write poetry and stories. He was going to become a writer. Together with a friend who lived in the same house, they spent a lot of time on the street. Finding a secluded place, the boys wrote their first novel together. At that time, Fedor was only eight years old.
In the same period, he began to get involved in playing the button accordion, began attending a music club, and later went to study at the Leningrad Music School named after I. Rimsky-Korsakov.
Stage career
While studying in high school, Fedor made friends with Alexei Nikolaev, who was also a music fan and had already assembled his own team. Then Fedor first came up with the idea to create his own group. He began writing poetry and composing music for future songs. At that time, Anatoly Platonov became another close friend of Fedor.
By the end of school, friends had composed several songs in the style of punk rock and, having recorded them on a cassette, decided to show the album to sound engineer Andrey Tropilo. At that time Andrey already had his own underground studio. Having received the master's approval, it was decided to start the performances. So in Leningrad in 1985 there was a group "Zero".
In addition to Chistyakov, Nikolaev and Platonov, the band included two more guitarists: Dmitry Gusakov and Georgy Starikov.
For several years, the musicians performed at concerts and recorded new albums. The peak of popularity of the "Zero" team came in 1991, but then there was a long break.
In 1992, the artist was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder of his girlfriend, whose name was Irina Linnik. During the investigation, he called her a witch and explained that he wanted to deprive her of the opportunity to practice black magic.
Chistyakov was declared insane and, having been diagnosed with schizophrenia, was sent for compulsory treatment, where he spent five years.
After leaving the hospital, Fedor joined the Jehovah's Witnesses organization. However, all the events that took place did not prevent him from taking up music again. In 1997, the "Zero" group reappeared on the stage. But a year later, she stopped performing forever.
In 2000, Chistyakov formed a new group called Bayan, Harp & Blues. It includes musicians Vladimir Kozhekin and Ivan Zhuk. The band recorded the disc "Barmaley Incorporated" and took part in several acoustic concerts.
Five years later, Fedor announced that he was ending his musical career. But in 2009 he again appeared on the stage for a while, joining the "Cafe" collective. He also performed his songs in the Accordion Rock project.
Personal life
Chistyakov never liked to talk about his private life. It is known that he married a girl who supported his religious preferences.
In 2017, together with his wife, Fedor emigrated to America.
The artist continues to write new songs today and sometimes perform on stage when he comes to Russia.
