site.btaDecember 23, 1940: 85th Birth Anniversary of Pop Legend Emil Dimitrov

Bulgarian pop legend Emil Dimitrov was born 85 years ago on Tuesday, on December 23, 1940.

Following are two authentic news items by BTA's Dahnyelle Dymytrov, covering the singer's benefit concert in 2002 and his passing in 2005, which ran in the agency's External Service:

"105 EMIL DIMITROV - PROFILE

Pop Legend Emil Dimitrov: Only Bulgarian Taking Credit for Five International Hit Songs

Sofia, May 3, 2002 (BTA) - Emil Dimitrov's songs moved to tears many in the 4,000-strong capacity crowd attending the Bulgarian pop legend's benefit concert at Sofia's National Palace of Culture Thursday evening.

Throughout the concert, the singer was on the stage, in a wheelchair, flanked by son Emil Dimitrov Jr., ex-wife Greta Gancheva, and pop star Yordanka Hristova.

He spoke only three times. Half-paralyzed by a brain stroke, he managed several "Bravos" after TV anchor Drago Draganov appeared in a soldier's uniform to sing Emil's evergreen Our Whistle Call. Greta Gancheva performed I Love You on her knees, to which Dimitrov responded, "I got married, please forgive me." After hearing a rendition of Only Tonight by fellow ageless star Lili Ivanova, Emil uttered, "Thank you very much."

One of his most popular songs, My Country, My Bulgaria, ran twice at the end of the benefit concert.

It was announced during the gala that Emil Dimitrov had received numerous letters and cables of greetings on his 60th birthday, including one from President Georgi Purvanov. Famous Russian pop singer Alla Pugacheva, whose career began with Dimitrov's song Arlecchino, describes him as "a fateful person in my life" and writes at the end of her letter: "You are a legend. I love you."

"Very few people know that Emil takes the credit for writing the first Bulgarian pop song hit," composer Mitko Shterev told BTA. "Until Arlecchino, Bulgaria was listening to nothing but Italian music, and this alone is enough to call Emil Dimitrov the father of Bulgarian pop," the composer argued.

Emil Dimitrov was the first great pop figure in this country to rise to stardom back in the early 1960s. He is internationally noted as both singer and composer. World famous singers and orchestras have recorded and performed covers of his Arlecchino, Sailor's Farewell and My Country, My Bulgaria. My Country became a European hit in a version entitled Monica, recorded in French, German, Italian, Swedish and other language versions. The Paul Mauriat Grand Orchestra recorded an instrumental version of My Country. A year ago the song was chain-played over 1,300 times before the launch of BG Radio, a commercial station which airs Bulgarian music only.

Born to the artistic family of magician Miti, Emil showed his talents at an early age. He applied simultaneously for admission to the Academy of Fine Arts, the Theatre Institute and the Conservatoire. Gaining entrance to the Theatre Institute, he played the accordion, and even won a prize at a national contest for singers and instrumentalists.

Dimitrov reached the zenith of his career in the 1970s, when he was contracted by Barclay and Pathe Marconi. In 1971 he performed at a gala of the Venice Music Festival, side by side with Demis Russos, Al Bano, Carpenters, Ricchi e Poveri and Milva. In 1972 he gave 20 concerts at the Theatre Europeen in Paris with the Balkanton Band. French critics lavished praise on his showing, but nothing was heard about it in Bulgaria. At the festival in Ostend, Belgium, in 1973, Dimitrov shared the stage with Gilbert Becault. That same year he performed together with Enrico Macias at Moscow's Dynamo Stadium.

Dimitrov has more than 30 LPs released in Bulgaria, Russia, France, Italy and Germany. He has written over 400 songs. Some of them have been performed by David Alexander, Nicoleta, Edita Piekha, Tony Christie. His five international hit songs have spread his fame to France, Italy, South Africa and Germany. DaDi/LG"

"120 BULGARIA - EMIL DIMITROV - OBIT

Father of Bulgarian Pop' Emil Dimitrov Dies at 64

Sofia, March 30, 2005 (BTA) - Bulgarian pop legend Emil Dimitrov died after a short illness at 11:20 a.m. on Wednesday, his son, Emil Dimitrov Jr., told BTA.

Emil Dimitrov was the first great pop figure in this country to rise to stardom back in the early 1960s. He is internationally noted as both singer and composer. World famous singers and orchestras have recorded and performed covers of his Arlecchino, Sailor's Farewell and My Country, My Bulgaria. My Country became a European hit in a cover entitled Monica, recorded in French, German, Italian, Swedish and other language versions. The Paul Mauriat Grand Orchestra recorded an instrumental version of My Country. In 2001 the song was chain-played over 1,300 times before the launch of BG Radio, a commercial station which airs Bulgarian music only.

Born in Pleven (North Central Bulgaria) on December 23, 1940 to the artistic family of Dimiter Dimitrov ('Conjurer Miti') and palmist Madam Susie, Emil showed his talents at an early age. He applied simultaneously for admission to the Academy of Fine Arts, the Theatre Institute and the Conservatoire. Gaining entrance to the Theatre Institute, he played the accordion, and even won a prize at a national contest for singers and instrumentalists. Dimitrov first appeared in a pop concert at Sofia's Party House on November 17, 1960.

The singer reached the zenith of his career in the 1970s, when he was contracted by Barclay and Pathe Marconi. In 1971 he performed at a gala of the Venice Music Festival, side by side with Demis Russos, Al Bano, Carpenters, Ricchi e Poveri and Milva. In 1972 he gave 20 concerts at the Theatre Europeen in Paris with the Balkanton Band. French critics lavished praise on his showing, but nothing was heard about it in Bulgaria. At the festival in Ostend, Belgium, in 1973, Dimitrov shared the stage with Gilbert Becault. That same year he performed together with Enrico Macias at Moscow's Dynamo Stadium.

Dimitrov had more than 30 LPs released in Bulgaria, Russia, France, Italy and Germany. He performed over 400 songs, including 280 he wrote himself. Some of his songs have been sung by David Alexander, Nicoleta, Edita Piekha, Tony Christie. His five international hits have spread his fame to France, Italy, South Africa and Germany. Russian pop singer Alla Pugacheva rediscovered Arlecchino in 1975, and this performance propelled her to stardom.

Emil Dimitrov gave more than 7,000 concerts in Eastern Europe, Russia, Cuba, Germany, France, Austria, Belgium, Turkey and Lebanon.

A 4,000-strong capacity crowd attended the Bulgarian pop legend's benefit concert at Sofia's National Palace of Culture on May 2, 2002, a year and a half after his 60th birthday. At the concert, Pugacheva sang Arlecchino on her knees in front of the person whom she credits for the start of her successful career. Throughout the concert, the singer was on the stage, in a wheelchair, flanked by his son, ex-wife Greta Gancheva, and pop star Yordanka Hristova.

Arlecchino brought its author his first major international honour: the third prize at the Sopot Festival, Poland, in summer 1962. Monica was awarded a Gramophone Record of Honour of the FRG in 1973. Edith and Grass received the Grand Prix and Second Prize, respectively, at the 1974 Golden Orpheus Festival. The singer also holds several Gold and Silver Records in Italy, France, Russia and Bulgaria.

The Order of the Balkan Range, First Class, was conferred on Emil Dimitrov on the occasion of his 60th birthday in December 2000.

"Very few people know that Emil takes the credit for writing the first Bulgarian pop song hit," composer Mitko Shterev told BTA. "Until Arlecchino, Bulgaria was listening to nothing but Italian music, and this alone is enough to call Emil Dimitrov the father of Bulgarian pop," the composer argued. DaDi/LG"