Mikhail Gorshenev was born in 1973 (August 7) in the Leningrad Region, in the city of Boksitogorsk. His father, Yuri Mikhailovich, was a major of the border troops, and his mother, Tatyana Ivanovna, was a housewife. The family often moved, mostly settling in the Far East. In 1975, Michael was born brother Alex.
Childhood
Mikhail Gorshenev for a long time dreamed of following in his father's footsteps and even prepared to enter a military school. When the time came for the boy to go to first grade, the family lived in Khabarovsk. It was decided to send him to his grandmother in the Leningrad region. Soon, his father was transferred to Leningrad, and the family reunited. Parents got an apartment on Rzhevka. Michael went to school number 147. Boy he was capable. He was engaged in boxing and took private guitar lessons.
How it all began?
Initially, the group was called "Office." It was created in 1988 by Mikhail Gorshenev, Alexander Schigolev and Alexander Balunov. They were all classmates and close friends. Alexander Knyazev, nicknamed the Prince, was invited as the second vocalist and songwriter only in 1990. The lyrics were original from the very beginning. They looked fabulous motifs and unusual plots. In this regard, the group was renamed the "King of the Jesters", and later - in the "King and the Jester". After graduating from school, Mikhail Yuryevich Gorshenev entered the Lyceum, where he planned to engage in restoration. However, three years later he was expelled due to the fact that he devoted too much time to music, and this prevented him from successfully studying.
Solo work
The first solo album, entitled “I am an Alcoholic Anarchist”, was released in 2004. In 2005, his songs were included in the hundred best charts "Chart Dozen." Mikhail participated in the Rock Group project in St. Petersburg, along with such performers as Yuri Shevchuk, Andrey Knyazev, Ilya Chertov, Alexander Chernetsky. Together with Alexander Ivanov in 2006, Mikhail participated in the recording of the song "Punk Rock Lessons", which belonged to the band "Brigade in a row."
Together with Alexander Balunov, in 2008 Mikhail Gorshenev participated in the recording of the Red Elvises album called “Drinking with Jesus”. In 2010, he began theatrical activities. As a result, the idea arose of creating a project about a maniac hairdresser named Sweeney Todd. The musical “Todd” was soon released. The entire composition of the King and the Jester group participated in this project. The album was later recorded based on the material of the musical.
Personal life
About how the musician lived off the stage, not much is known. He never gave an interview on this subject. He was twice married. His first wife was called Anfisa, and the second and last was Olga. In 2009, he had a daughter, who was named Alexandra. Her image flaunted on his body.
Tattoos by Mikhail Gorshenev
The musician was very kind to the images on his body and invested in each separate meaning. He loved to tell reporters about them, so they can be described in detail. There were five tattoos in total. The first is the terrible and scary Joker. The second is an image of a devil emerging from a tree. This image was taken from the album of the Be at home, traveler group. The third tattoo is seven people dear to his heart (Elvis Presley, Kurt Cobain, Sid Viches and so on). The fourth is the letter “A” in a circle. This is a symbol of the anarcho-punks, to which Mikhail ranked himself. The fifth is his beloved daughter.
"King and the Clown"
Mikhail Gorshenev was the founder of the group and the only one who was part of it from the beginning until his own death. The group has always been distinguished by an unusual style. Each song is a separate story in a mystical, fantasy, historical manner. Initially, all the songs were performed in the rhythmic style of punk rock. Subsequently, the group’s music incorporated several musical elements: art punk (“Demon Theater”), folk rock (“Acoustic Album”), hard rock (“Like in an Old Tale”), hardcore punk (“Riot on a Ship” ") and others. The image of the band changed with the music. First of all, this applies to makeup, which was applied in accordance with the theme of the songs.
First songs
The first compositions were recorded at the studio in 1991-1992: “Hunter”, “Dead Woman”, “In the Valley of the Swamps”, “King and the Jester”. Some of them were first heard on the radio. The first performance took place in 1992. It is from this year that the King and the Jester group begins its official existence. Since 1993, she began to actively perform in clubs in St. Petersburg and Moscow.
Popularity story
The first album was recorded in 1994 under the title "Be at home, traveler." It came out in a very limited edition and was long considered a rarity among fans. In 1996, Yakov Zvirkunov joined the group. Thanks to his work, the guitar sound and arrangement of compositions reached a professional level. Gorshenev Mikhail and his brainchild were on the path to fame and unprecedented popularity. The short program "White Strip", which was often broadcast on St. Petersburg television, was shot about the group. In the same year the album “A stone on the head” was released, which was recorded at the Melody studio.
“King and the Jester” performs at the festival “Fill the sky with kindness”, which was organized by the participants of the DDT group. They take part in major Moscow and St. Petersburg festivals. In 1997, the second album, entitled "The King and the Jester, " was released. In 1998, “Acoustic Album” was written, which was highly praised by music critics. The song “Jumping from a Rock” written in the same year made the group incredibly popular and lasted a record period at the top of the charts. In the summer, a video was shot for the song "Eaten Meat Guys." After showing it on MTV, the group gained all-Russian popularity. In 1999, the band held its first recital. The group enters into contracts with companies such as ORT-Records, Bomba-Peter and others. In 2000, the album "Heroes and Villains" was released.
First decade
In 2001, the best collection of songs by the group called “The Collection” was released. In addition, the “King and the Jester” went on a grand tour of all the major cities of Russia and Belarus. Since that time, the group has become a regular participant in the largest festivals in Russia. According to readers of Fuzz magazine, the group became the best in 2001. In 2002, she received the Ovation Award. Since that time, “King and the Jester” constantly tour and give concerts almost daily.
In 2003, the group gave concerts for the first time in Israel, America and Finland. In 2004, the album "Riot on the ship." In the same year, Vyacheslav Batogov became the director of the group. In 2006, there were some changes in the composition of the group. In the same year, musicians perform at the Corkscrew Festival in America and give a recital at venues in San Francisco. The group includes Dmitry Raidugin (as a lighting designer). Thanks to this, the concerts turned into full-fledged shows. To celebrate the new 2007 year, the group prepared a surprise for their fans. The musicians voiced the tale "Frost". Subsequently, the terrible tales audiobook based on the stories of the Grimm brothers was released. In 2008, King and the Jester received the Ramp Award. At the IV St. Petersburg Musician Prize, the group receives three awards at once. In the same year, the tenth album - "Shadow of the Sorcerer". In 2010, the group gives a concert in Prague. Before this event, the local radio station presented to the audience a program about the work of the group.
Second decade
At the beginning of the second decade of the group's existence, changes in its composition continue. In 2011, King and the Jester organized a large-scale tour with the King of Eternal Sleep program. The group continues to delight fans with new songs. In 2012, the musicians were invited to the “Evening Urgant” program. In 2013, together with the new bassist Alexander Kulikov, a program of 30 songs was developed. She was supposed to be played on July 20. But she was not destined to see the light.
How did you remember him?
The leader of the King and the Jester group died at night from July 18 to July 19, 2013. The wife of Mikhail Gorshenev discovered his body in their apartment on Ozersky Prospekt in St. Petersburg. Relatives remember him not only as an outstanding musician, but also as a kind, disinterested person. He always came to the aid of friends without any questions. He was educated and well-read, had an extraordinary mind. He always positioned himself as an anarchist, but he understood this word in his own way. For Michael, anarchy is an ideal, supreme society. In addition, he was a true patriot.
According to him, many songs were written based on the true history of Russia. His music became a reflection of his essence, thoughts and views. She was born in his mysterious soul and delighted with her sounds thousands of people around the world.
