Valery Kipelov

Early biography

Valery Kipelov was born in 1958 at Kapotnya, Moscow, in Russian SFSR, Soviet Union. During his childhood, he studied at music school as an accordionist. His first step in music was singing in the amateur band 'Krestyanskie Deti' (Farmer Children), which played at parties and weddings. After military service in 1978-1980 Valery joined the folk ensemble 'Shestero Molodykh' (Six Young Men), where he met Nikolay Rastorguev (who went on to form Lubeh). In September 1980 Kipelov and Rastorguev continued their career in 'Leysa, Pyesnya' (Go on, Song). But in 1985 the band was officially disbanded due to failing to complete the planned program, and Valery joined 'Poyushchie Serdtsa' (Singing Hearts), produced by Victor Vekshtein. When Holstinin and Granovsky, members of 'Poyushchie Serdtsa', decided to start their heavy metal project, Valery was invited to be its vocalist.

Personal life

Valery is married to Galina Kipelova. They have two children: Joan (02-08-1980, a music conductor), and Alexander (03-16-1989, a student of the Cello at Gnesin School). He also has two grandchildren: Anastasia Vladimirovna Komarova (08-14-2001) and Sonia Vladimirovna Komarova (04-30-2009).

Kipelov expressed support of Russia's annexation of Crimea, and said it should've been returned to Russia in 1991. He performed at music festivals celebrating the event in Crimea.

Years in Aria

The voice of Kipelov was one of the major reasons of band's success, though in first two albums he wrote just two songs (both slow ballads). After the breakup in 1987, Kipelov and Holstinin were the only two members who stayed with Vekshtein. Sergey Mavrin was invited into the new lineup to play guitar and Vitaly Dubinin joined on bass.

During the Germany tour 1994, Kipelov's relations with Holstinin and Dubinin became tense. He ceased appearing at Aria's studio and was fired from the band. Then Mavrin refused to play without Kipelov and left the band, too. After participating in a few of Master's concerts, Valery tried to form a band of his own, but later returned to Aria following the threat from MOROZ Records to sue the band for breach of contract.

Sergey Mavrin offered Kipelov to record together a combined album, which might include their songs, refused by Aria or not fit for its style. In 1997 they released the LP entitled 'Kipelov and Mavrin - Smutnoye Vremia' (Time of Troubles), which included 10 tracks. This album helped Mavrin to launch his project 'Mavrik' with vocalist Artur Berkut next year.

In 2002, after the successful release of 'Himera' followed by sold-out tours and headlining the NASHEstvie festival, Kipelov refused to start recording the new album, already written by Dubinin and Holstinin. He stated his wish to start a solo career. He was supported by two of his Aria bandmates Sergey Terentyev and Alexander Maniakin, as well as by the band's manager Rina Lee, opposing the band's leaders Vitaly Dubinin and Vladimir Holstinin, and the producer Yuri Sokolov. This disagreement broke Aria apart after 'Judgement Day', August 31, 2002.

Kipelov (band)

On September 1, 2002, the day after Kipelov left Aria, Kipelov, Terentyev, Mavrin and Maniakin launched the new band, named Kipelov (named at Terentyev's suggestion as the bandmembers couldn't come up with any better name). In 2003 they released the live album 'Put Naverh' (Way to the Top), recorded in Saint Petersburg. It contained Aria's songs by Kipelov, Terentyev and Mavrin as well as 'Smutnoye Vremia' songs. Ballad 'Ya Svoboden' (I am Free) became the top hit in Russian rock charts. The 'golden' voice of Kipelov enticed many Aria fans to his new project.

Terentyev, and later Mavrin left Kipelov in next two years, explaining that the band was too slow in releasing the new album. Since 2002 to 2005 the only new release was 'Babylon' EP. To record his new album, Valery invited the famous Victor Smolski. Kipelov's first LP, 'Reki Vremen' (Rivers of Time), came out in 2005.