Venya Drkin

In a 1998 interview in the Russian Rock-n-Roller newspaper (4 November), his stage name was explained by his "agent" Natalia: at one festival, he jokingly registered himself as "Venya Dyrkin from Maksyutovka" (Веня Ды́ркин из Максютовки; funny-sounding names from an old local joke). Unexpectedly, he won a prize at the festival, and his fake name was shown on big screen, thus becoming his stage name. D'rkin died of cancer (Hodgkin's lymphoma) on 21 August 1999. Though he was not widely known in his lifetime, he has since obtained a cult following in the Russian-language bard genre. He also never played in front of a large audience; most of his public performances were in music festivals and apartment concerts. A story in song D'rkin had written was posthumously released on CD.

• Name — Venya D'rkin • Native Name — Литвинов Александр Михайлович • Alias — Venya D'rkin, Drantya • Born — 11 June 1970 • Birthplace — Dovzhanskyi, Luhansk Oblast, USSR • Died — 21 August 1999 • Place of death — Korolyov, Moscow Oblast, Russia • Years Active — 1991—1999 • Occupation — Bard, poet, songwriter, singer, composer, painter • Instrument — Vocals, acoustic guitar, percussion, harmonica, bard • Genre — Folk rock, sung poetry • Website — https: drdom.info/

Venya Drkin was recorded at birth as Александр Михайлович Литвинов. He also worked under the names Веня Д'ркин and Дрантя. The authorities additionally record the headings Aleksandr Litvinov and Aleksandr Mikhaylovich Litvinov. His recorded language was Russian.

Venya Drkin is recorded as singer, guitarist, poet, songwriter and rock musician.