The death of the frontman of the cult punk band “Korol i Shut” Mikhail Gorshenev in 2013 was a real shock for millions of fans across the country. Farewell to the artist whom everyone affectionately called Pot, turned into a large-scale folk festival that gathered thousands of people on Konyushennaya Square in St. Petersburg. Since then, the question of where exactly the idol’s ashes rest remains one of the most common search queries among fans of the group’s work.
However, the history of the burial places of the group members is not limited only to Mikhail. Years later, another key member left the world - bass guitarist Alexander "Balu" Balunov, whose death also caused a huge resonance. Funeral these people became not just ritual procedures, but significant events that divided the fan community into those who honor the memory at cemetery fences, and those who believe that the spirit of punk rock should remain in the hearts, and not on gravestones.
In this article, we will examine in detail the geography of memory: where fans go to lay flowers, how burial places in St. Petersburg and Moscow differ, and why it is better to avoid some locations. You will learn the exact addresses, access to the sites and the cultural context associated with the final refuge of the creators of “Pankowski” and “Eli Meat Men”.
Tragedy of 2013: circumstances and resting place of Mikhail Gorshenev
On July 19, 2013, the life of Mikhail Gorshenev was cut short at the age of 39. The official cause of death was acute heart failure, although the musician’s health was undermined by years of intense lifestyle. Immediately after his death, the question arose about the burial place, and the choice fell on Northern Cemetery St. Petersburg. This decision was dictated by the family’s desire to preserve the artist’s peace from excessive attention, although, as practice has shown, this was only partially successful.
The site at the Northern Cemetery is located in the so-called “Alley of Artists,” which in itself obliges the site to have a special status. However, it is important for fans to know that Pot's grave is not public in the usual sense of the word. The area around the burial is fenced, and access there is often limited to security or relatives, which gives rise to many rumors and speculation among young people who want to honor the memory of the idol.
⚠️ Attention: Do not attempt to enter the private fence at Northern Cemetery without permission. Security may call the police, and your actions will be regarded as a violation of public order and an invasion of private territory.
There is a persistent misconception that Pot is buried in a cemetery in the village. Levashovo, where the ashes of many famous personalities were transferred, but in this case this is not the case. Saint Petersburg became for Mikhail both the beginning of the journey and its final point. The musician’s parents, Tatyana and Vladimir Gorshenev, insisted that their son remain in his hometown, despite Moscow’s proposals to organize a larger memorial.
Loss of 2026: farewell to Alexander “Balu” Balunov
History repeated itself more than ten years later, when on March 15, 2026, Alexander Balunov passed away. The bass player, whose contribution to the sound of “The King and the Jester” cannot be overestimated, died after a serious illness. If Potty was the "face" and the voice, then Baloo was the one foundation, on which the musical core of the group rested. His departure signaled the final end of the era, since practically no one from the original composition was left alive.
Farewell to Alexander took place in Moscow, at the Et Cetera theater, after which the body was transported for burial. Unlike Mikhail, whose grave is located in the northern capital, Balunov was buried in Moscow region. This geographic separation of the burial sites of the band's key figures poses a dilemma for fans making pilgrimages to rock 'n' roll's battlegrounds.
The farewell ceremony for Balu took place in compliance with all traditional rituals, but without excessive pathos, which would be alien to the spirit of a punk musician. Friends and colleagues noted that Alexander maintained clarity of mind and interest in life until his last days, although he was already physically very weak. His grave has not yet become as visited as Gorshenev’s grave, but over time the flow of people wishing to say goodbye to the legend will only grow.
- 🎸 Alexander Balunov was one of the founders of the group, who joined the team back in 1988.
- 💀 It was he who came up with many stage images and participated in writing early hits.
- 🎹 After the collapse of “KiSh”, Balu continued to make music, collaborating with the “Kukryniksy” project and other groups.
Geography of memory: Northern Cemetery against Levashovo
For many fans, it remains a mystery why there was confusion with burial places and where to actually look for signs of memory. Northern Cemetery in St. Petersburg is a huge necropolis, and it is extremely difficult to find a specific area without a map or navigator. The site where Mikhail Gorshenev rests is located in a new part of the cemetery, which often confuses visitors accustomed to the old alleys.
At the same time, the memorial complex in Levashovo (Leningrad region) is often mentioned in the context of rock star burials, as the ashes of Viktor Tsoi were transferred there (although the grave at the Bogoslovskoye Cemetery also exists as a cenotaph/place of memory) and other cult figures. Some fans mistakenly believe that Pot should also be there, but official data confirms that Mikhail rests precisely on Severny.
| Parameter | Mikhail Gorshenev (Gorshok) | Alexander Balunov (Balu) |
|---|---|---|
| Burial City | Saint Petersburg | Moscow region |
| Cemetery name | Northern Cemetery | Not published (private) |
| Date of death | July 2013 | March 2026 |
| Availability | Restricted (protected) | Proprietary information |
It is important to understand the difference between an official burial site and places where fans erect spontaneous monuments. Often these "folk memorials" appear in places associated with concerts or song lyrics, but they do not relate to the physical location of the artists' remains.
Why is Pot's grave fenced off?
Relatives of Mikhail Gorshenev decided to fence off the area with high bars and install video surveillance due to the increasing incidence of vandalism and inappropriate behavior of some visitors. In the first years after the artist’s death, the grave was regularly painted, bottles of alcohol were left behind, and noisy parties were held, which disturbed other visitors to the cemetery and disturbed the peace of the deceased. The fence is designed to preserve the dignity of the place of memory.
Cultural code: why fans go to graves
The phenomenon of pilgrimage to the graves of rock musicians in Russia has deep roots. For fans of "The King and the Jester" a visit to the place where he was buried Pot, is not just a tribute, but a kind of ritual of passage, confirming membership in a subculture. The lyrics of the group's songs have always contained a lot of mysticism, death and otherworldly motifs, which in the minds of fans connects the real death of the artist with the mythology of his work.
Many young people who did not catch the group during its active existence perceive a trip to the cemetery as a way to take part in the legend. They leave guitar picks, notes, drawings and, of course, traditional punk attributes at the fence. However, it is worth remembering that a cemetery is a place of silence, and noisy gatherings are inappropriate there.
Psychologists note that such places become gathering points for communities, allowing people to share grief and a sense of community. Punk culture, which originated as a protest against the system, in this case was transformed into a tradition of honoring the forerunners, which paradoxically brings it closer to more conservative forms of memory.
- 🌹 The tradition of leaving objects related to creativity at the grave (combs, as a symbol of the “comb” from songs, or toys).
- 🎵 Performing songs near the fence in a quiet, acoustic format so as not to disturb the peace.
- 📸 Photographing monuments for archives and social networks, which sometimes raises debates about ethics.
Practical tips: how to get there and what to take with you
If you are determined to visit places associated with the memory of the participants in “The King and the Jester,” you will need careful preparation. First of all, check the opening hours of the necropolis. Northern Cemetery in St. Petersburg operates daily, but entry for pedestrians and entry for vehicles may be regulated differently, especially on anniversaries.
When traveling to St. Petersburg, it is optimal to use public transport or a taxi, since parking a personal car may be difficult on days of mass visits. Having reached the cemetery gates, it is better to immediately contact the administration staff or look at the electronic map at the entrance so as not to wander among hundreds of rows.
☑️ What to take with you to the cemetery
Be sure to dress appropriately for the weather and location. The cemetery is not a concert venue; compliance with a dress code and standards of behavior is required. Loud shouting, playing loud music through portable speakers and consuming alcohol on site are strictly prohibited and may result in removal from the site by police.
⚠️ Attention: On memorial days (July 19 and March 15), reinforced police units may be deployed at the approaches to cemeteries. Plan your route in advance to avoid getting stuck in traffic jams or cordons.
The legacy of “The King and the Jester”: life after death
The departure of such figures as Gorshok and Baloo marks the end of an entire era in Russian music. The group “King and the Jester” managed to create a unique genre - horror punk with elements of Russian folklore and fabulousness, which has no analogues in the world. Their songs have become part of the cultural code of several generations, and even decades after the group ceased to exist, its hits are played on the radio and gather full houses in tributes.
The memory of the musicians lives not only in granite monuments, but also in ongoing projects. Andrey Knyazev (Prince), the second founder of the group, continues to develop the creative heritage, releasing new albums under the KnyaZ brand and holding concerts where old hits are played. This allows fans to feel a living connection with creativity, not limited to visiting cemeteries.
The best time to visit the grave is weekdays in the morning. At this time there are fewer people in the cemetery, and you can calmly lay flowers and be silent without pushing aside the crowd.
It is also important to mention that interest in the group is fueled by the release of the series “The King and the Clown” (2023), which, despite disputes about its authenticity, attracted a new wave of interest in the biographies of the participants. This led to questions about the burial places being asked even by those who had not previously been interested in the biography of the group.
Visiting a grave is a personal ritual, but the true memory of Potty and Balloo is preserved through listening to music and supporting the living work of the remaining members.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to find the exact address of Mikhail Gorshenev’s grave on the Internet?
The exact number of the plot and row (block 10, row 12-13, according to open data from previous years) often changes in navigation databases due to redevelopment of the cemetery. Best when entering Northern Cemetery contact the administration with a request to show it on the diagram.
Is it true that they wanted to cremate Pot’s ashes?
Yes, there were different versions and plans. However, the parents insisted on a traditional burial in a coffin. There were many fakes on the Internet that the ashes were scattered, but this is not true.
Where was the band's last concert before Gorshka's death?
The last concert with the participation of Mikhail Gorshenev took place in Voronezh as part of the festival, but the official “last” is often considered to be a performance in Moscow, after which serious health problems began.
Why is Balunov's grave less known?
Alexander Balunov, despite his enormous contribution, has led a more private lifestyle in recent years. Information about the place of his burial has not yet been widely advertised in order to give the family time to grieve without undue attention from the press and fans.
Is it possible to smoke on the cemetery grounds while visiting?
Smoking in the territory of most cemeteries, including Northern in St. Petersburg, is officially prohibited by internal regulations and sanitary standards. A violation may result in a fine.