Women's stories 09.12.1997 (1997)

The program is dedicated to the singer Vaikule Laima.

Vaikule Laima is one of the first ambassadors of the pro-Western style on the Soviet stage, both in the presentation of musical material and in the manner of dress.

A deep voice, an accent, polished movements, "cabaret surrounded by monumental statues" - in the mid-80s, this was "not that", not as accepted and permitted.

Even now, the singer can surprise with an extravagant appearance on stage.

Time and criticism have no power over the Baltic star.

Vaikule Laima was born on March 31, 1954, in the ancient Latvian town of Cesis.

The future singer's family had nothing to do with music.

Her father, Stanislav Vaikulis, was a worker, and her mother, Janina, worked first as a salesperson and then as a store director.

The only people close to art was Laima's grandmother, who sang in a church choir.

When Laima was 3 years old, Laima's family moved from the province to Riga.

In Riga, Vaikule had to perform at a competition for young vocalists at the Culture House of the Riga VEF plant.

The artist received a diploma for 4th place - her first award for talent.

This day is considered the start of Laima Vaikule's creative biography.

Laima did not dream of a pop career.

She saw herself as a doctor, so after finishing the 8th grade of high school, she entered medical school.

At the age of 15, Vaikule successfully passed the competition and became a leader of the Riga Radio and Television Orchestra, headed by Raimonds Pauls.

Since 1979, Vaikule performed in the variety show "Juras perle" ("Sea Pearl") in Jurmala, became a soloist of a dance orchestra.

Laima was not going to stop there, in 1984 she entered the GITIS in the pop directing department.

While Laima was still studying at GITIS, Ilya Reznik noticed the young singer.

The poet saw in Vaikule a performer of the song "Night Fire".

At first, the song "Night Fire" was played on the radio, then in the popular program "Song-86".

In the same year, 1986, together with Valery Leontyev, she sang a new song "Vernissage" at the Soviet-Italian concert of pop stars.

The event served as an impetus for the rise and recognition of Vaikule as a popular vocalist.

A year later, the singer consolidated her success by singing the song "Not Evening Yet".

The creative union of Vaikule, Pauls and Reznik gave listeners unforgettable hits, including "Fiddler on the Roof" and "Charlie".

Laima Stanislavovna also sang the song "Yellow Leaves", the lyrics for which were written by the former Latvian ambassador to Russia, poet Janis Peters.

Vaikule gained nationwide recognition in February 1987 after participating in R. Pauls's evening with the author.

In 1989, American producer Stan Cornelius invited Laima Vaikule to the United States.

The singer worked in America for seven months, recording a new album in Michael Sembello's studio.

In the United States, the soloist signed a contract with the MCA-GRP recording company.

Vaikule was so successful in the United States that a documentary about the performer was even broadcast on local television.

The Western press dubbed Laima Stanislavovna the "Russian Madonna".

Returning from the United States, the vocalist saw how the world around her had changed.

The Soviet Union was no more, and Latvian newspapers called the artist a spy: "The Russian army is leaving, but the agents remain!", but Vaikule survived.

In the 1990s, a new wave of popularity came to the soloist, including thanks to the hits "I went out to Piccadilly" and "Acapulco".

Video: Vaikule Laima in the dressing room before the concert, Vaikule Laima communicates with Alla Pugacheva and Philipp Kirkorov, Lev Leshchenko, Vaikule Laima on stage and in the studio, the host and Vaikule Laima take pictures, Vaikule Laima at a table in a cafe, Vaikule Laima driving a car, the host and Vaikule Laima walk along the seashore, a man with a dog.

Vaikule Laima talks about the musicians of her band.

Vaikule Laima and the men assemble a glass shelving unit.

Vaikule Laima talks about her business and loved ones.

Video: Vaikule Laima dances on stage, Vaikule Laima near her country house, Vaikule Laima talks about contact with her parents.

Video: Children play in the sand on the beach, seagulls on the shore, Vaikule Laima talks about divorce.

A fragment of Vaikule Laima's performance on stage.

Vaikule Laima talks about love in marriage.

Latkovsky Andrey talks about his life and Vaikule Laima.

Vaikule Laima talks about her weight in the gym.

Latkovsky Andrey and Vaikule Laima talk about their personal life together.

Family chronicle: Latkovsky Andrey and Vaikule Laima.

Vaikule Laima communicates with her niece - a little girl.

Chronicle: Vaikule Laima talks about pregnancy and children.

Latkovsky Andrey and Vaikule Laima talk about their personal life.

Video: Vaikule Laima at home.

Vaikule Laima talks about the surgery she underwent, life and death.

Vaikule Laima talks about her family and mental panic.

Vaikule Laima answers the question, where did you find the strength to fight the disease?

Latkovsky Andrey answers the question, what is a woman's happiness?

Latkovsky Andrey says that he is a happy man.

Latkovsky Andrey and Vaikule Laima sing a song.

A fragment of Vaikule Laima's performance on stage with a dance group.

Presenter on the subway escalator and in the subway train carriage.