Skip to main content

Maverick Ad

Home

Main navigation

  • Home
  • Cover Stories
  • Features
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Cashbox Legacy Awards
  • Past Covers
  • Weekly Archive
Rockin’ The Kremlin Goes Behind The Scenes Of The Eurovision Song Contest

Breadcrumb

  • Home
  • Rockin’ The Kremlin Goes Behind The Scenes Of The Eurovision Song Contest
Rockin The Kremlin David Junk Fred Bronson
Fri May 17, 2024
Sandy Graham

Author David Junk, former CEO of Universal Music Russia, reveals never-before told stories about signing Alsou and t.A.T.u. and taking them to Eurovision

Plus: Alla Pugacheva, Philipp Kirkorov, Verka Serduchka, Sergey Lazarev, Tina Karol, ABBA, Tvorchi and Mumiy Troll

Available at Amazon and Indigo

Rockin’ The Kremlin: My Incredible True Story of Gangsters, Oligarchs, and Pop Stars in Putin's Russia (Rowman & Littlefield; July 2), the new book by David Junk with Fred Bronson that details Junk’s exciting and dangerous time in Moscow, would not be coming out on July 2 if it were not for the Eurovision Song Contest.

The two authors met at the 2000 competition, held in Stockholm. The American-born Junk accompanied the first Russian artist signed to Universal Music Russia, the teenaged singer Alsou. Bronson was covering the pan-European song contest for Billboard. They quickly became friends and stayed in touch long after Eurovision.

Some 22 years later, Junk told Bronson he wanted to write a book about his time in Russia, dealing with oligarchs, record piracy, stolen diamonds and murder, as well as signing a number of Russian artists to the label and welcoming visiting Universal acts to Russia like Mariah Carey, Elton John, Sting, and Bon Jovi.

Then Junk asked Bronson if he would co-write the book, and the answer was a resounding “Yes!”

There are multiple chapters in the book about Alsou and t.A.T.U., about how Junk discovered them and signed them, and their adventures at Eurovision and beyond, up to their ultimate implosions.

Other artists who have performed at Eurovision are also mentioned in the book, including a wild, unbelievable chapter all about Russian superstar Alla Pugacheva and her then-husband, Philipp Kirkorov. Junk also signed the boy-band duo Smash!!, and writes extensively about founding member Sergey Lazarev, who went on to have his own solo career and compete in Eurovision. Other Eurovision performers referenced in Rockin’ The Kremlin are ABBA, Tvorchi, Mumiy Troll, Tina Karol and Verka Serduchka.

From his humble beginnings growing up on a farm in Ohio to his recent return to Ukraine to observe first-hand the long-running war, Junk’s story is a compelling narrative, with danger lurking around every corner. He describes his good times working in Russia, and the not-so-good times in this fast-paced read, which Publishers Weekly calls, “an exciting and colorful look at a dynamic period in Russia’s cultural history.”

The book has also earned praise from Ruslana, who won the Eurovision Song Contest for Ukraine in 2004. She writes: “‘I led an American pop music invasion… to Russia. It was too loud and brash, like rock ’n’ roll’—these words from David Junk impressed and inspired me. He tries to find meaning behind the cause to which he devoted over three decades of his life— bringing America and Russia closer together after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Visiting my homeland, Ukraine, David questions if dedicating these thirty years was in vain. His story is captivating.”

Rockin’ the Kremlin: My Incredible True Story of Gangsters, Oligarchs, and Pop Stars in Putin's Russia is published by Rowman & Littlefield and will be available in stores and from online booksellers on July 2.

About the Authors

David Junk was the first CEO of Universal Music in Moscow, and for a decade he promoted international artists in Russia, including stars like Mariah Carey, Elton John, U2, Sting, and Bon Jovi. He also signed many Russian artists to Universal, including t.A.T.u. and Alsou. David was Vice-President Eastern Europe at Universal Music in 2003, opened the first Universal Music office in Kyiv, Ukraine, and developed music reality shows for Ukrainian TV. David was also the North American Entertainment Relations Director of Gibson Brands, Inc., where he started company operations in Russia and opened the first Gibson Guitar showroom in Moscow. David is also the host of Art During Wartime, a podcast dedicated to the vibrant and diverse culture of Ukraine.

Fred Bronson is the author of six books, including The Jacksons: Legacy, The Sound of Music Family Scrapbook, Dick Clark's American Bandstand, and three Billboard charts books. For over three decades, he has been reporting on the music industry for Billboard Magazine, covering many topics including American Idol, the Eurovision Song Contest, ABBA, and Motown. Bronson has been called “America’s foremost chart journalist” by the editor of Billboard Magazine and as an expert on music has guest-starred on American Idol four times. He was a guest judge, with Kristin Chenoweth, on the premiere episode of the TV series, CMT’s Next Superstar. His articles have also appeared in The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, and the Los Angeles Times.

Learn more about Fred at fredbronson.com

Book Website: rockin-the-kremlin.com

Features
Music
David Junk
Fred Bronson
t.A.T.U.
Alsou
Month: May 2025
Cashbox Canada Announces New Column – Picture This! With Tracey Savein May 09
SING! Music Summit Presents a Unique Opportunity to Connect with the Experts of… May 09
First Video Episode Released For Rise And Thrive, Showcasing Real-Life… May 09
TORONTO MUSIC EXPERIENCE PLANS TO OPEN AS A PERMANENT CELEBRATION OF THE… May 09
Attention all Collectors and Aesthetically Attuned Beings! May 02
TORONTO’S 2025 LULAWORLD FESTIVAL CELEBRATES 12 DAYS OF WORLD MUSIC MAGIC May 02
Picture This! With Tracey Savein May 02
Emma Rush Illuminates 19th-Century Guitar Pioneer With “The Life and Times… May 02
Séan McCann Announces “The Great Big Canadian Road Trip" - One Man. One… May 02
Month: Apr 2025
“The New Immersive Van Gogh: Next Chapter” runs to September 1st, 2025 at The… Apr 25
The Tragically Hip Top Forty Countdown Celebrates Ron MacLean Appearance… Apr 25
“Picture This!” with Tracey Savein Apr 25
New Toronto Jazz Festival Shines Spotlight on Local Legends and Rising Stars Apr 25
SING! THE TORONTO INTERNATIONAL VOCAL ARTS FESTIVAL RETURNS MAY 24 TO JUNE 2 Apr 25
SOCAN Foundation’s Executive Director Charlie Wall-Andrews Receives Recognition… Apr 11
2x JUNO-Nominated Children's Music Performer Rosalie Moscoe Returns… Apr 11
Pat Silver Inducted into the 2025 FEO Hall of Fame Apr 11
Terry Gomes Offers Up New Album With “Some Chunes” Apr 11
Get Ready, Toronto - Welcome to Hipsville is BACK! June 14, 2025 Apr 07
Birdsong Artist Terry Witzu Releases New Single “Crying Is Creepy” Apr 04

Pagination

  • Current page 1
  • Page 2
  • Page 3
  • Page 4
  • Page 5
  • Page 6
  • Page 7
  • Page 8
  • Page 9
  • …
  • Next page Next ›
  • Last page Last »

CEO/PUBLISHER/EDITOR IN CHIEF
SANDY GRAHAM

email:sandygrahamemg@gmail.com 

Canadian Journalists:

Contributing Journalist - Canada and Global
Don Graham
email: dongrahamwriter@gmail.com

Contributing Journalist - Canada and Global
Lisa Hartt
email: lisahartt87@hotmail.com

Contributing Journalist - Canada 
Michael Williams
email: greydread@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

International Journalists:

Contributing Journalist - Sweden
Malin Osth
email: malin@musicdays.se

Contributing Journalist - Sweden
Jonas Tancred
email: jonas@musicdays.se

Contributing Journalist - USA
Rob Durkee 
email: rockster2746@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Web Developer/Technical Support
Chris Wardman

email: info@chriswardman.com
website: chriswardman.com

Cashbox Cover Design and Graphic Artist
Jain McMillan

email: jainmcmillan@gmail.com

Contributing Photographer 
Tracey Savein - South Paw Productions
southpawproductions@rogers.com

 

 

 

Footer menu

  • Home
  • Features
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Cashbox Archive
  • Issue Archive
  • Past Covers