Alexey Ekimyan
Alexey Ekimyan, born on April 10, 1927, in Baku, was a renowned Armenian composer and a prominent figure in Soviet music. He was also a high-ranking official in the Soviet militsia, serving as a General and the head of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Moscow region. Ekimyan's dual career as a composer and law enforcement officer made him a unique figure in the music world.
His musical career began in the 1950s, and he gained recognition with his first song for the Moscow International Festival in 1957, which was praised by Vano Muradeli. Ekimyan's compositions were performed by notable Soviet artists such as Lyudmila Zykina, Iosif Kobzon, and Muslim Magomayev. His work was celebrated for its lyrical and melodic quality, with songs like "Listopad" and "Vsya jizn' vperedi" becoming hits. Some of his songs were featured in the "Song of the Year" festivals during the 1970s and 1980s.
In addition to his musical achievements, Ekimyan was awarded several honors, including the "Renowned Master of the Arts" title by the Armenian SSR and various military and service medals. A documentary film-concert titled "Paths of My Memory" was dedicated to him in 1979.
Alexey Ekimyan passed away from a heart attack on April 24, 1982, in Moscow and was buried in Yerevan, Armenia. He left behind a legacy as a beloved composer and a respected law enforcement leader. He was married to Valentina Karpova and had two sons, Rafael and Michael, who followed in his footsteps in law enforcement and music, respectively.