Ukrainian rock musician, leader of the rock band Druha Rika.
Biography.
Valeriy Kharchyshyn was born on May 26, 1974, in the city of Liubar, Zhytomyr region.
In 1989, after graduating from high school, Valeriy entered the Zhytomyr Ivan Ohienko School of Culture and Arts, Department of Wind Instruments.
After graduating, he began performing as part of the Lenok Ensemble and later sang in the Cossack Choir. In 1994, she became the director of the famous Oreja choir and toured Europe extensively.
In 1995, together with Viktor Skuratovskyi and Oleksandr Baranovskyi, he founded the Second River band. Valeriy became not only the band's lead singer, but also the author of the vast majority of the band's lyrics and music. In 1996, the band changed its name to Second River.
Over the years, Druha Rika has become one of the most successful bands on the Ukrainian scene. High-quality music on studio recordings and in music videos that do not disappear from TV screens, and a real rock and roll drive at concerts allow them to confidently hold this position.
7 albums (the album "Records" reached gold status on the day of its release), 10 top singles, 27 videos, 24 of which topped the country's music charts. The band has participated in a large number of concert tours and festivals, and has its own project "Rock'n'Roll saves the world". The project includes large concerts and duets with the Russian band TOKiO and Turkish rock musicians Mor ve Otesi.
In 2007, Valeriy Kharchyshyn was involved in a car accident that left him bedridden for a long time. Afterward, Valeriy said:
"In the end, I realize that we all walk under God and this can happen to anyone. And I am no exception. I have to live on and I really want to live, I want to create, I still have a lot to say. I am happy to be alive."
In 2008, V. Kharchyshyn was named the best vocalist of the year at the annual NEPOSSA award. And in 2009, according to the results of the Ukrainian Showbiz Awards, he won two Hermes Prizes for professionalism and high achievements in show business. Also in 2009, according to the rating of Viva! and ELLE magazines, Valeriy Kharchyshyn became the most attractive and stylish man in the country.
In December 2011, Valeriy Kharchyshyn and the musicians of Druha Rika appeared in a provocative way on the cover of the men's glossy XXL. This shoot was special for everyone. After all, the band had never participated in such photo shoots, and the magazine put a male "nude" on the cover for the first time in its 10-year history. A year later, the band received an award from the magazine for the best cover.
In 2012, Valeriy Kharchyshyn launched the charity marathon "I WILL LIVE", a social action to fight lymphoma. As part of the campaign, a large charity concert was held, featuring Okean Elzy, Boombox, S.K.A.Y. and many other rock bands. Valeriy Kharchyshyn contributed to the filming of the video and photo project "I WILL LIVE", which aims to help detect the disease at an early stage. The project was supported by many people who are not indifferent to the terrible problem and other people's grief. The idea was brought to life by musicians, stylists, designers, makeup artists, media representatives and many others. Famous musicians took part in the filming of the video and photo project.
In 2014, the band presented their sixth studio album "Supernation". This was the last work on which bassist Viktor Skuratovskyi worked.
On January 25, 2018, Druha Rika presented their seventh studio album "Pyramid". The record consists of 9 songs, which were worked on for more than a year. During this time, 3 songs were presented as singles along with music videos: "Monster", "Angel" and "You are me". For the first time, brass instruments can be heard in the band's sound: French horn, trumpet and trombone are featured in the tracks "Secret" and "Before I Go", and cymbals in "Dirty and Sweet". The video for the song "Secret" became one of the most popular in the band's videoography.
On March 8, 2019, Valeriy Kharchyshyn and "Druha Rika" played a solo concert at the Kyiv Sports Palace, the concert was sold out, and the band set a concert record - they gathered the largest concert venue in the country in just a month (8000 people attended the concert).
Personal life.
Valeriy has three sons.
He can't imagine his life without music and traveling, especially he likes to go to the mountains and ski.
Valeriy Kharchyshyn's life principle: "Don't live yesterday, live today!".
In May 2022, Valeriy Kharchyshyn announced that after 13 years of relationship, he had divorced his wife Yulia. According to Kharchyshyn, he and his wife separated before the outbreak of a full-scale war.
Discography.
As a member of the band Druha Rika
2000 :: I Am
2003 :: Two
2005 :: Records
2006 :: Dennich
2008 :: Fashion
2009 :: THE BEST
2012 :: Metanoia. Part 1
2014 :: Supernation
2017 :: Pyramid
Filmography
2018 :: Legend of the Carpathians
2019 :: Meeting of classmates
