Pesniary was a popular Belarusian folk rock band. It was founded in 1969 by guitarist Vladimir Mulyavin. Before 1970 the band was known under the name Liavony (Лявоны).
Pesniary combined various types of music, but it mostly used Belarusian folklore though often with various psychedelic rock elements and later rock as well. Several of the Pesniary's songs were composed by Alexandra Pakhmutova. The band often used lyrics from the famous Russian and Belarusian poets of the past. Pesniary's favourite was Yanka Kupala.
Among their best known song are "Kasiu Jas Kaniushynu" , "Belovezhskaya Pushcha" and "Alesia".
It was one of the very few (and possibly the first) Soviet bands to tour in America in 1976. 1974-1980 is considered the Golden Age era of the band when it achieved top popularity in the USSR, in Eastern Europe and in other countries.
In 1979, after the success of rock opera Guslar, the whole band was awarded the honorary tittle Meritorious Artist of the Soviet Union, and Mulyavin personally received a higher tittle of People's artist.
After band's leader Vladimir Muliavin death in a car accident on January 26, 2003, three different bands laid claims to be the official descendants of the original "Pesniary" band. All three keep touring and performing original Pesniary songs.
LINKS
Official Website
