Casino and friends

Ironically, Vorobyev wasn’t always a fan of horn bands, and as a teenager gravitated to the hard-driving guitar-based sounds of the Beatles, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Deep Purple, and Grand Funk Railroad.

"In the early s in the USSR, electric guitars, amplifiers, and drums were rare to find so at school we were playing self-made instruments," Vorobyev explained. "We were allowed to rehearse in the same room with a horns band. Those musicians almost always were drunk and quite often tried to play with us our rock songs. It was a nightmare, and I hated them all!"

But that all changed when Vorobyev heard Chicago. He became an instant fan. "I loved so much the brilliant mixture of rock guitars, drums, and jazz horns with bright vocal harmonies," he said.

In , Vorobyev decided to indulge his love for the band by gathering a few fellow musicians in a studio to record a video of them playing his favorite Chicago tune, Brand New Love Affair.

No charts or scores of the song existed so Vorobyev transcribed the tune by ear. The result was a YouTube video that quickly went viral. Since then Leonid & Friends has recorded videos of other Chicago hits including Make Me Smile, 25 or 6 to 4, and Saturday In The Park.

All total the videos have received more than 50 million views. Also, Leonid & Friends has recorded two albums showcasing its tribute to Chicago.

The process of getting each tune just right is a painstaking labor of love. In addition to scoring and arranging, Vorobyev oversees mixing and mastering of each song. However, he credits his highly skilled bandmates for making each tune sing. "All of my musician friends are highly professional," he said.

However, Leonid & Friends hasn’t been satisfied with merely connecting with fans through videos and recordings. In early , the band embarked on its first tour outside of Russia that had fans dancing in the aisles at sold-out shows in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Florida. Two other scorching coast-to-coast U.S. tours followed that same year.

“The fans were so eager to see us that some traveled from as far as Hawaii and the Philippines not mentioning flying across the U.S .and driving for hours to attend our shows,” Vorobyev said. “I was expecting a warm greeting but I didn't expect such a warm reception and with so much love and gratitude for us.”

In Los Angeles, the band met its musical heroes, founding members of Chicago, keyboardist Robert Lamm, and drummer Danny Seraphine as well as Michelle Kath Sinclair, daughter of late, great Chicago guitarist Terry Kath.

“We were so thrilled that Robert, Danny, and Michelle took the time to visit with us,” Vorobyev said. “It was an experience that we will cherish and remember forever.”

When Leonid & Friends isn’t touring, band members are in the studio in Moscow immersing themselves in Chicago’s storied catalog of hits and deep tracks while preparing for the next tour.

In September of , the band recorded its first song from legendary supergroup Earth, Wind, & Fire and also paid tribute to the band Blood, Sweat & Tears as well.

Borrowing a line from one of Chicago's biggest hits, "it's only the beginning" of great things from Leonid & Friends.

Scott Schwebke has been a journalist for more than 30 years and a longtime fan of Chicago dating back to its incarnation as CTA. His work has appeared in the Los Angeles Times, the Denver Post, Orange County Register and various publications across the U.S.

CHICAGOVICH II

The music continues with the release of Leonid & Friends’ CHICAGOVICH II. Eleven more of the most requested tracks everyone loves including Beginnings, Questions 67 & 68, I’m A Man, Feelin’ Stronger Every Day, Free, If You Leave Me Now, Street Player, You Are On My Mind, Listen, Hard To Say I’m Sorry/Get Away, and Stay The Night. The perfect complement to their debut album, CHICAGOVICH II will keep you singing, dancing, and enjoying their tribute to one of the greatest bands in the world!

CHICAGOVICH III

CHICAGOVICH III picks up the pace with ten new tracks. This CD showcases a beautiful mix of early and later Chicago gems that are sure to delight. You’ll enjoy the song that started it all, Introduction, as well as Call on Me, Dialogue (Parts 1 & 2), Just You ‘n’ Me, Hanky Panky, Life Saver, Happy Man, (I’ve Been) Searchin’ so Long, and Mongonucleosis. Recreating these tunes as only Leonid & Friends has done make this a must-have addition to your collection.

Oldies But Goldies Part 1

It’s finally here! The latest installment of from Leonid and Friends, featuring the timeless music of Earth, Wind, and Fire, Blood Sweat and Tears, Steely Dan, Tower Of Power, The Ides of March, Chaka Khan, Deep Purple, The Brecker Brothers, Stevie Wonder, and the Black Russian band. This fourth CD features the songs that you’ve waited and asked for, all meticulously arranged by the master of music, Leonid Vorobyev and performed by some of the top musicians from Russia. This collection of songs will have you singing and dancing in no time!

MEDIA

Leonid & Friends perform their favorites as a tribute to the greatest bands in the world!

All music and video is edited, mixed and mastered by Leonid Vorobyev.
 

Leonid & Friends Shop

Get your official Leonid & Friends merchandise and help support the band. With our CDs, shirts, masks, cups, buttons, and more, you’ll look great, feel great, and have an excellent opportunity to introduce Leonid & Friends to others. These make great gifts too! All items are sold by our USA trusted partner thisisnl.nl so you can shop with confidence. We thank you for your support.

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Booking Information:
Eastern Hemisphere
Roman Vorobyev
Phone: +7 ()
Email: [email protected]

Western Hemisphere
Gil Jacobs - Paradise Artists
Phone: ()
Email: [email protected]

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