There was no People's Artist of the USSR Joseph Kobzon, but it's hard to believe, because he was not just a singer with a wonderful warm beautiful voice, he was a part of our life.

He not only traveled a lot with tours, he did not hesitate to go to dangerous points, did not hesitate to help people in difficult moments of their lives, and did it without a hubbub, at home, as they help their relatives. His biography is known to many, the artist has spent his entire life in the sight of those who loved his songs. Nevertheless, in his life there are many interesting facts.

In 1946, Joseph Kobzon sang the song "Flying birds fly" in the Kremlin theater in front of Stalin. Once at a concert the venerable songwriter-songwriter Arkady Ostrovsky did not coordinate with anyone, announced him as Yuri Zlatov. Student Kobzon Ostrovsky then explained that with a name like his, the singer will not become famous ever. Time has put everything in its place.

Working with the singer keyboardist Pyotr Podgoretsky in his book "The Machine with the Jews" wrote about Kobzon: "This Cob. I worked for him as a keyboard player for five years and learned a lot. Great businessman, organizer, politician and just a man ".

Joseph Kobzon was enough for everything - for concerts, teaching at the State Music and Pedagogical Institute named after the Gnesins, public and political activities, recording at film studios. He acted as part of the first assault in the devastated Armenia earthquake, in Chernobyl, many times flown with concerts in Afghanistan. He was the first to begin negotiations with terrorists in Nord-Ost, the first to give concerts after the war in Chechnya.

His monstrous work capacity is noted by all who worked with him. Iosif Kobzon recorded over 3 thousand songs. And the lyrics of all the songs the singer remembered. Record number of concerts of the singer per day - 12! He performed up to 40 flights per month. His longest concert was a farewell on the 60th anniversary, which lasted from 19 hours to 7:40 the next day. It so happened that, having said goodbye, he did not leave the stage, the jubilees of the poet Robert Rozhdestvensky and the composer Eduard Kolmanovsky.

The name of Kobzon is worn by a planet registered in the international catalog of planets under number 3399. Yes, he was a person of cosmic scale.

He has toured in more than 100 countries, is an honorary citizen of 29 cities of Russia and CIS countries. Iosif Kobzon sang only himself and put a lot of energy in the fight against "plywood".

His authority was enormous. When the deceased Vladimir Vysotsky, who had no ranks, did not consent to be buried at the Vagankovskoye cemetery, it was enough to have one appearance of Joseph Kobzon there.

Problems with the singer's hair began at age 35, but he considered his bald head unattractive, so he performed in the overlay. And this is understandable, for an artist appearance is also an instrument. In the end, even on the beach, he appeared only in the wig.

After two failed marriages, he finally met the one with whom he lived for less than half a century, which provided a reliable rear, his Nelli. They have a son, a daughter and 10 grandchildren, whom his grandfather loved very much.

His position on Crimea and Donbass was clearly expressed by the singer and he addressed the people of Ukraine. For this he was deprived of the title of honorary citizen of several cities of the country.

His orders, medals, titles received in Russia and abroad can be listed for a very long time.

Exactly 15 years ago in Donetsk countrymen put a monument to Kobzon in full growth. The singer has never forgotten the Donbass, he often performed in Donetsk and Lugansk, spent millions of personal funds to help the Donbass. A two-meter-long bronze poet in a coat over his shoulders as if walking along a square. Now people are bringing flowers to him. Another monument was installed in the village of Aginskoye in Buryatia, Kobzon for many years represented Buryatia in the State Duma.