At the moment, from the original composition of the cult punk rock group “King and Jester” are still alive Alexander Balunov, Andrei Knyazev, Alexander Leontiev, Dmitry “Gorshok” Gorshkov, Dmitry Khakimov, Alexander Shcherbakov and Maria Nefedova. The tragic exception is the founder and permanent leader of the band Mikhail "Gorshok" Gorshenev, whose life was cut short on July 20, 2013 as a result of acute heart failure, which was a turning point in the history of the entire Russian rock scene. The death of the leader did not mean the end of the musical heritage, but it clearly divided the biography of the band into periods of "before" and "after", determining the fate of all the remaining members.
The question of which musicians continued their creative path and who went into the shadows requires detailed consideration, since the fates of the participants were different. Some of them, such as Alexander BalunovThey continued their active concert activity as part of the project “Knyaz” or tribute bands, preserving the spirit of punk rock. Others, having experienced the loss of a friend and colleague, decided to stop with a big stage or completely changed their occupation, preferring a quiet life to a tour. It is important to understand that the physical survival of participants is only one side of the coin, followed by creative realization.
In this article, we will analyze in detail the current state of affairs of each significant member of the team, based on official data and recent interviews. We will not only touch upon the biological status of musicians, but also their professional activity to give a complete picture. The key factor here is the separation of paths after 2013.When a single organism of the group broke up into several independent projects, each of which interprets the legacy of Kish in its own way. Below is a detailed analysis of the fate of each of those who stood at the origins or developed the sound of the band in different years.
Tragedy of 2013: The departure of Mikhail Gorshenev
The death of Mikhail “Pot” Gorshenev was a shock to millions of fans and colleagues in the shop. Until the last moment, it seemed that Mikhail Gorshenev He will be able to fight with accumulated health problems, but his body could not withstand the load. Acute heart failure was the official cause of death, although many people attribute the leader’s death to a long period of substance and alcohol use, which eventually led to irreversible changes in the body. His departure marked the de facto end of the original King and the Jester in the form in which the band had existed for decades.
In the last years of his life, the frontman experienced serious problems with the cardiovascular system, which repeatedly became the reason for cancellations of concerts. Despite the warnings of doctors and loved ones, the rhythm of the musician’s life rarely changed towards a healthy one, which ultimately played a fatal role. Andrei Knyazev The other members of the group until the last hoped for the restoration of the friend, but fate decreed otherwise. After the funeral in St. Petersburg at the Northern cemetery, where Gorshenev was carried out on the last journey of thousands of people, the question arose about the future of musical material.
⚠️ Warning: Any information about Mikhail Gorshenev’s “resurrection” or “secret concerts” after 2013 is fake or hoax.
The legacy of the singer was so great that none of the remaining members did not dare to officially take his place as part of the recreation of the original lineup. The voice and charisma of Pot were a unique instrument that could not be replicated or replaced by another artist without losing the essence of the brand. That is why the projects that arose later were positioned as tributes or independent groups that respect the memory of the founder, but do not pretend to be his role.
The fate of bass guitarist Alexander Balunov
Alexander "Balu" Balunov is one of those who not only survived, but also remained faithful to the punk rock scene, continuing the business started with Gorshenev. After the death of Mikhail, it was Balunov who took on the role of the vocalist in the project “PrinceZ”, which was originally created as a tribute band performing the songs “King and Jester”. His voice, although different from the tone of the pot, managed to convey the necessary energy and drive, which allowed the project to gain huge popularity among fans.
Balunov’s activities are not limited to concert performances. He is actively engaged in production, participates in recording new arrangements of classic hits and collaborates with other musicians. Alexander Balunov I have found a balance between respecting my friend’s memory and moving on, which is a respect in the music community. His energy on stage still resembles the best days of the band’s heyday, when the halls exploded with delight.
Unlike some other participants, Balu did not hide from the public, but instead relied on openness and constant contact with the audience. He regularly gives interviews, where he shares warm memories of his joint work with Gorshenev and Knyazev. For many fans, it was the performances with the participation of Balunov that became a way to keep the connection with the era of “Kish”, without violating ethical boundaries and without trying to artificially recreate the irretrievable past.
Andrei Knyazev: The Path of the Artist and Leader of “PrinceZya”
Andrei “Prince” Knyazev, the second founder and author of most of the group’s texts, is also alive and continues to be active in creative activity. After 2013, he headed the group “PrinceZ”, which became the main project developing the style of horror punk, laid down in “King and Jester”. Andrei Knyazev not only performs vocal parts, but also deals with visual design, scenography and costume creation, which makes their performances full-fledged theatrical shows.
The creative handwriting of the Prince remains recognizable: dark fairy tales, grotesque characters and deep, often sinister humor have not gone away. He managed to transform grief from losing a friend into productive energy, releasing new albums and making music videos. Andrei Knyazev He has repeatedly stressed that it is important for him not to let the stories that they invented together with Gorshenev be forgotten and to bring them to a new generation of listeners.
In recent years, Prince has also been actively developing his YouTube channel and social networks, where he communicates with fans, draws and shares news about the tour schedule. His approach to the business remains professional and demanding, which guarantees high quality concerts. For fans of the band, the fact that Knyazev is alive and full of strength is a guarantee that the spirit of the “King and Jester” continues to live in a new format.
Guitarists and drummers: Who stayed in the ranks
Not only the frontmen of the group are alive, but also other key members of the team. Alexander “Lieutenant” Leontiev, the guitarist who has been in the band since 1996, is also alive and still playing. He participated in various projects and tribute concerts dedicated to the memory of Gorshenev. His guitar parts were an integral part of the sound of "Kish" during their greatest popularity, and Leontiev's contribution to the creation of hits can not be overestimated.
Dmitry "Gorshok" Gorshkov, the band's drummer, is also listed among the live members. He went through all the stages of the formation of the team and witnessed the ups and downs of the team. After the original lineup disbanded, musicians occasionally gather for joint projects or commemorative events, confirming the preservation of friendly ties. Dmitry Gorshkov and Alexander Leontiev They are the rhythm section and the melodic basis that made the band’s music so recognizable.
It is also worth mentioning Dmitry Khakimov and Alexander Shcherbakov, who in different years were part of the group. Shcherbakov, known as a violinist, brought a unique folklore to punk rock, which became the hallmark of the sound of "Kish". These musicians are now living a normal life, rarely appearing in the media space, but their contribution to the band's history remains undeniable. They are living proof that King and the Jester was a team of like-minded people, not just a one-man project.
Table of statuses of the team members
To systematize information about the current status of musicians who played in the “King and Jester” and related projects, it is convenient to use a summary table. It allows you to quickly assess which of the key figures continues to create, and who, alas, is not with us. The data is current and is based on open sources.
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