Childhood, Youth, and Early Creative Activities

Valery Meladze was born on June 23, 1965, in Batumi, in a working settlement on the outskirts of the city. His grandmother, grandfather, father, and mother were engineers with technical education. He completed music school, specializing in piano. After graduating from high school, he worked as a telephone operator.

In 1983, he entered the Admiral Makarov National University of Shipbuilding in Mykolaiv, where his older brother was also studying.
In 1989, Valery graduated with a degree in “Ship Power Plant Engineering.” After finishing his studies, he enrolled in graduate school, working on a dissertation titled “Intensification of Exchange Processes in an Ion-Exchange Filter with a Pseudo-Vibrofluidized Layer of Cations.”

During his studies, from December 1985, Valery participated in the university musical group April, which his brother Konstantin had joined a month earlier. Valery attended rehearsals with Konstantin and, during a break, casually sang a song by the band Ultravox into the microphone. His singing so impressed the group that he was immediately offered the role of vocalist.

Between 1989 and 1992, the Meladze brothers were part of the rock group Dialogue. Their introduction to the band’s leader, Kim Breitburg, happened thanks to drummer Anatoly Deynega, who noticed the brothers during a concert at their university in Mykolaiv. In 1992, Valery began his solo career.

Solo Career

Valery’s first solo performance was in 1992 with the song “Don’t Disturb My Soul, Violin” as part of the concert program Starry Evening, dedicated to the upcoming Winter Olympics in Albertville. In December 1993, at Alla Pugacheva’s invitation, he performed at her Christmas Meetings show with the song “Limbo.” In January 1994, Valery released his first music video for the song “Don’t Disturb My Soul, Violin,” which quickly entered many music charts.

On March 12, 1995, his first solo album, Sera, was released, bringing him instant fame. This marked the beginning of numerous tours booked years in advance. On October 7, 1996, he released his second solo album, The Last Romantic. Six months later, on March 7-8, 1997, he held two sold-out concerts at the Olympic Stadium in Moscow.

On January 14, 1998, Valery released his third solo album, Samba of the White Moth. In December 1999, he released his fourth album, That’s How It Was. His fifth album, Nega, was released on December 2, 2003, followed by his sixth album, Despite Everything, on October 1, 2008.

Since 2005, Valery and Konstantin have been annual jury members for the New Wave international competition for young pop music performers. Valery also served as a mentor for five seasons of the TV show The Voice Kids on Channel One.

Valery Meladze has repeatedly been recognized as the Best Performer of the Year by Muz-TV and RU.TV channels. His duet song with VIA Gra, “No More Attraction”, was ranked among the top 10 Russian-language songs of the 21st century. He is a multiple recipient of prestigious music awards such as Ovation, Golden Gramophone, Song of the Year, MTV Awards, and others.

For nearly four decades, Valery has continued his touring career, consistently selling out concerts in various countries around the world.