Biography

Aleksandr Zatsepin is a Soviet and Russian composer, film music author. Honored Artist of the Russian Federation . People's Artist of the Russian Federation.

During his school years, he actively participated in amateur performances - he sang well, danced, and recited poetry on stage. After graduating from high school, he enrolled in the Novosibirsk Institute of Railway Engineers, but was expelled later. He was then drafted into the army. During his military service, he had an excellent ear for music and independently mastered several instruments. He was then recruited into the Novosibirsk Army Song and Dance Ensemble. In 1947, he was demobilized and found work at the Novosibirsk Philharmonic. While touring in Alma-Ata, Zatsepin decided to apply to a music school, but the talented young man was advised to go straight to the conservatory. In 1956, Zatsepin graduated from the Alma-Ata Conservatory in piano and composition.

In 1956, he wrote the music for his first film, Nash milyy doktor (1958). Zatsepin's breakthrough came when he met director Leonid Gaidai, who invited him to work on the comedy Operation 'Y' & Other Shurik's Adventures (1965). Since 1965, Aleksandr Zatsepin collaborated with Leonid Derbenyov, and their duet became his most famous. Together, they wrote over 100 songs. Their collaboration continued until the poet's death in 1995.

In 1978, the film 31st of June (1978) was released, becoming a major success for Zatsepin. The film's songs, with lyrics by Leonid Derbenyov and Yuriy Entin, gained widespread popularity.

In total, Aleksandr Zatsepin has written over 300 songs and composed music for over 120 films and cartoons.
- IMDb mini biography by: Tango Papa

Zatsepin and Alla Pugachyova met in the mid-1970s. He recorded 21 songs with her.

In 1997, Zatsepin wrote the music for Marina Khlebnikova's song 'Slanting Rains', based on her lyrics. The song quickly became very popular and made it to the finals of the 'Pesnya-98' festival.

Member of the USSR Union of Composers (1956) and the USSR Union of Cinematographers (1957).

My heart would stop right now; it would be easier. But then I'll think: 'No, I need to finish the musical, and then another one. Exercise is a must, every morning'.

Leonid Gaidai took everything very seriously, including music. He said, 'I don't care whether a song gets played on the radio or not. What matters is that people sing it'. And that's an incredibly difficult task. No one can predict whether a song will become a hit.