The death of Mikhail Gorshenev on July 19, 2013 was the starting point for the de facto end of the legendary punk band’s existence. The King and the JesterAlthough the group formally existed for several years. It was the death of the charismatic leader, author of most hits and main vocalist, who divided the history of the group into “before” and “after”, launching irreversible processes of disintegration. The tragic event took place in St. Petersburg, where the musician died of acute heart failure caused by chronic alcohol poisoning, which came as a shock to millions of fans across the country.
But Gorshenev is not the only member of the lineup whose life was cut short prematurely. At various times, the group has been left or lost by other key figures whose contributions to the dark and fairytale world. kiss It's impossible to overestimate. In particular, we are talking about bass guitarist Alexander “Lieutenant” Balunov, whose death in 2022 finally closed the era of classical sound. Understanding who left and under what circumstances allows us to better understand the drama of the way of the collective, which began as a school ensemble in the village of Roshchino, and ended in the status of a cult phenomenon of Russian music.
In this article, we will examine in detail the biographies of the musicians who left, the causes of their death, and how these events affected the remaining participants, especially Andrei Knyazev, with whom Gorshenev had a complex but productive creative relationship. We will analyze the medical findings, the circumstances of the last days of the artists and how the memory of them is preserved in the work of followers and tributes.
The tragedy of the leader: the death of Mikhail Gorshenev
Mikhail "Gorshok" Gorshenev was the heart and soul of the band, and his sudden passing at the age of 39 was the main reason fans are wondering who died from the band. The King and the Jester. On July 19, 2013, the musician was supposed to attend the birthday celebration of his friend, Konstantin "Kuzi" Ryabinov from the band. NAIVE. Instead of fun, however, friends and family received the terrible news: Gorshenev was found dead in the bathroom of an apartment on Yesenin Street in St. Petersburg. The ambulance arrived and declared death, finding no signs of life.
The initial versions of a possible suicide or drug overdose have not been confirmed. The official forensic report read: heart failure. Toxicological analysis revealed a high concentration of ethyl alcohol in the musician’s blood, which allowed doctors to diagnose chronic alcoholism in the stage of decompensation. The heart, which for years worked at the limit of possibilities due to the frenzied schedule of concerts and constant drinking, simply could not stand it.
⚠️ Information on the exact medical causes of death is taken from official reports of the Bureau of Forensic Medical Examination of St. Petersburg and is not the subject of speculation.
Mikhail Gorshenev’s funeral took place on July 23, 2013 at the Northern Cemetery of St. Petersburg. Thousands of people came to say goodbye to the idol, and the group actually stopped active concert activity, although formally existed under the control of the musician’s widow, Yulia Gorsheneva, and drummer Alexander Shchigolev for several more years. The death of the leader was the point of no return, after which The King and the Jester In its classical form, it has ceased to exist.
The departure of the bassist: the death of Alexander Balunov
If Gorshenev’s death was a thunderbolt from the clear sky, then the death of Alexander “Lieutenant” Balunov, which occurred almost nine years later, was perceived as a furious but expected end of the era. Balunov has been the bassist of the band since 1989 and was one of the oldest members of the band along with Gorshenev and Prince. He died on May 16, 2022 at the age of 56. There were long conflicting rumors about his health, and only after his death did the details become known to the general public.
The cause of death became heart-breakBut there were many years of struggle with this serious illness. In interviews given shortly before his death, Alexander admitted that he was struggling with cancer - pancreatic cancer. The disease was diagnosed too late when metastasis had already affected vital organs. Despite attempts to treat and support friends, the body of the musician, exhausted by years of touring life and bad habits, could not cope with the disease.
Alexander Balunov was not just a bassist, he created the very “swinging” rhythm-sectional foundation on which the hits were built. The King and the Jester. His departure finally sealed the history of the classical composition. Along with Gorshenev’s death, Balunov’s death symbolically closed the door to the past, leaving fans with only records and memories of the times when the band was a single organism.
Alexander Leontiev: The Forgotten Early Drummer
Who died from the participants associated with the story? The King and the JesterWe must not forget about Alexander Leontiev. He was not a member of the "golden" composition of the times of popularity, but played a crucial role in the formation of the team in the late 80s. Leontiev was the drummer of the band during the period when the band was just forming its sound and was looking for its place in the Leningrad rock club. His contributions to early discography and rehearsal often remain in the shadow of later star names.
Alexander Leontiev died in 2001, long before the peak of the band's fame. The cause of his death was not widely reported in the press, as at that time he was not a victim of the crime. The King and the Jester They weren't a star yet. He is said to have passed away at the age of about 35. For researchers of the band’s work, Leontiev’s name is important as part of a mosaic that shows how many lineup changes and personal dramas the team went through before finding its recognizable style.
It is important not to confuse Alexander Leontiev with other drummers of the band, such as Yasha Tsvirkunov or Alexander Shchigolev, who are still alive or have left the band for other reasons. The memory of the early participants whose lives were tragically cut short is kept in archives and rare bootlegs, demonstrating that the path to success was strewn not only with roses but also with thorns of personal tragedies.
Comparative table of departed participants
To systematize information about the deceased musicians, whose biography is inextricably linked with history. The King and the JesterIt is advisable to provide summary data. This will allow you to clearly answer the question of who died, and avoid confusion between participants of different years and compositions.
| Name of the musician | Pseudonym/Position | Date of death | Cause of death | Age. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mikhail Gorshenev | Pot (Vocal, guitar) | 19.07.2013 | Acute heart failure (alcohol) | 39 years old |
| Alexander Balunov | Lieutenant (Bass guitar) | 16.05.2022 | Cardiac arrest (cancer of the pancreas) | 56 years |
| Alexander Leontiev | Drummer (early line-up) | 2001 | Unspecified (early death) | ~35 years old |
This chart covers the main participants whose death was a significant event for the fan community. It is worth noting that in different years other people have left the group, but these three names often appear in discussions about the losses of the team. The statistics are inexorable: the average age of death of participants in the early circle is quite low, which indicates the high price that had to pay for the rock and roll lifestyle.
Details of the last concert of Gorshenev
Mikhail Gorshenev played his last concert 4 days before his death. It was a performance at the A2 club in St. Petersburg. According to eyewitnesses, he looked tired, but played the program with the usual energy. No one could have imagined it was a farewell.
The fate of Andrei Knyazev and myths about the “curse”
The death of Mikhail Gorshenev has generated many myths and superstitions among fans. Many wondered: will the leader and his eternal co-author Andrei Knyazev follow? The prince, who created the visual style of the group, drawings on the covers and images of the heroes of songs, survived the Pot. However, their creative union broke up long before Michael's death. The prince left the group in 2011, founding the project. Prince. He lives, continues to paint and write music, although he lives in the shadow of the former glory of the common child.
However, the psychological state of the Prince after the death of a friend was difficult. In interviews, he admitted that Gorshenev’s death was a blow to him, despite a difficult relationship at the end of the journey. Andrei Knyazev He denies any mystical coincidences, pointing out that the lifestyle Gorshenev led could not physically lead to longevity. “We burned to shine,” was the philosophy behind the two leaders.
⚠️ Attention: Information about the health status of the live members of the group (Andrey Knyazev, Alexander Shchigolev) is based on their public statements and may change.
Fans often argue about who had the most impact on the success of the group - Gorshenev or Knyazev. The death of the first and the passing of the second showed that The King and the Jester It was a symbiosis of two strong personalities. Without Gorshenev there would be no voice and drive, without Knyazev – a fabulous atmosphere and depth of texts. Now the Prince continues to release albums, but under his own brand, keeping the memory of the joint past.
Legacy and continuation of history
After the death of Mikhail Gorshenev and Alexander Balunov, the group formally continued to exist under the name of The King and the JesterBut other people have taken over. Gorshenev's widow, Yulia, and drummer Alexander Shchigolev (Panker) tried to keep the brand. The musical TODD was even announced, based on unreleased demos of Mikhail. But for most fans, The King and the Jester He died with Potschko in 2013.
In 2023, the series “King and Jester” was released, which stirred interest in the work of the group. The series showed that the memory of musicians is alive, and their songs become only more popular with the years. But none of the current participants can replace the charisma of the leaders who have left. The band’s legacy is now a cultural code that is passed on to new generations of listeners who know the lyrics by heart.
☑️ How to honor the memory of the group
Today, it is safe to say that the classic The King and the Jester It's history. Did the other participants die? At the moment, the main members of the “golden” composition are not alive (Gorshenev and Balunov). The surviving musicians (Knyaz, Shchigolev, Beletsky) go their own ways. But the music they created together became immortal, outliving their creators.
The classic composition of the group "King and Jester" ceased to exist after the death of Mikhail Gorshenev in 2013, and the final point was the death of Alexander Balunov in 2022.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Did Andrey Knyazev (Prince) Die?
No, Andrei Knyazev is alive. He left the band in 2011 and is now engaged in the solo project “PrinceZ”, as well as writing books and drawing.
What exactly did Mikhail Gorshenev die from?
The official cause of death is acute heart failure, which arose against the background of chronic alcohol poisoning of the body.
Is there a King and the Jester group?
The band is legally active and performs concerts with a new vocalist, but fans and critics believe the band broke up after Gorshenev's death.
Where is Pot buried?
Mikhail Gorshenev is buried in the Northern Cemetery in St. Petersburg.
Was Balunov ill before he died?
Yes, Alexander Balunov for a long time fought with pancreatic cancer, as it became known after his death.
Tip: If you want to get a deeper understanding of the band’s history, start not with hits, but with the album “Be at home, traveler”, which shows the transition period of their unique style.