Edita Pekha

Edita Piekha (Pyekha) is a popular singer and actress in Russia and in the states of the former Soviet Union. She was born Edith-Marie Piecha on July 31, 1937, in Nual-su-Lance, France. Her father, Stanislaw Piecha, was a miner, and her mother, Felicia Korolewska, was a school teacher. In 1946 young Edita Piekha, with her mother and stepfather, returned to Poland. There she studied at the Walbrzych State College of Pedagogy, graduating with honors in 1955, majoring in Russian language. That same year she was sent on a scholarship to continue her studies at Leningrad State University. There she studied Psychology and languages, and also was active in student concerts as a singer. She was invited by Russian composer Aleksandr Bronevitskiy to perform with his band, Druzhba, on the popular TV show "New Year's Eve" on December 31, 1955. She became an instant celebrity in the Soviet Union with a popular Polish song 'Autobus Czerwony' by the famous composer Wladyslaw Szpilman. Then she transfered from Leningrad University to Leningrad Conservatory and studied singing and acting. Edita Piekha shot to international fame with her performances at the 1957 Moscow International Festival of Youth and Students. There she sang in several languages, such as French, Polish, German, and Russian, and performed before international audiences from 130 nations. She made history with her performance of the popular hit 'Moscow Nights' which she delivered in several languages to international crowd at the closing show of the Moscow festival. After the festival, Piekha and ensemble Druzhba (aka... Friendship) released several records of their songs. During the 1950s - 1970s Piekha and Druzhba were one of the most acclaimed popular acts in the USSR. In 1972 Piekha with ensemble Druzhba were part of cultural programs at the XX Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany. In 1976, Edita Piekha formed her own band and continued successful touring and recording career in the Soviet Union. At that time Piekha was one of the very few Soviet actors cleared for international business. She has been touring internationally since the 1960s and gave concerts in more than 40 countries worldwide. During the 1960s - 1980s she gave more than 30 concert tours in East Germany alone. Piekha was the first Soviet singer who was really able to dance while singing on stage, she introduced such dances as twist, shake and rock'n roll to culturally deprived audiences in the Soviet Union. Several of her international tours were managed by the legendary impresario Bruno Coquatrix, who invited Piekha to perform at Olimpia Hall in Paris. She also took several high-risk concert tours in Afghanistan and the neighboring Soviet republics amidst the Soviet-Afghan war in the 1980s. Edita Piekha was designated People's Actress of the USSR, and was decorated for her contribution to culture in the Soviet Union. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, she remained popular in Russia and countries of the former USSR. Edita Piekha has been giving her traditional annual concert series every Summer during the 'White Nights' Festival in St. Petersburg. There, in July 2007, she celebrated her 70th birthday with performances to sold-out audiences. Edita Piekha is living in her suburban villa in St. Petersburg, Russia. Her daughter, Ilona Bronevitskaya and her grandson Stas Pekha are popular singers in Russia.