Alla Pugacheva

Russia, 1965–now

The dominant superstar of Soviet and Russian pop for over four decades. From her 1975 breakthrough 'Arlekino' to 'A Million Scarlet Roses', Pugacheva fused theatrical estrada, dramatic chanson and Western pop into a uniquely emotional, larger-than-life style — 'the goddess of Russian pop music'.

MusicRoots documents 3 artists who influenced Alla Pugacheva and 0 artists Alla Pugacheva influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.

Who influenced Alla Pugacheva?

• Édith Piaf — Pugacheva grew up listening to Édith Piaf, whose dramatic, emotionally raw chanson shaped her theatrical delivery — critics dubbed her 'Moscow's Tina Turner with a touch of Édith Piaf'.
• Ella Fitzgerald — Pugacheva also grew up on Ella Fitzgerald's records, absorbing the phrasing and vocal command of the jazz great into her versatile pop style.
• Leonid Utesov — Pugacheva emerged from the Soviet estrada tradition that Leonid Utesov founded — the theatrical, jazz-tinged variety-stage song that underpins her repertoire.