Lev Dutkovsky Passes Away at 80, Shaping Ukrainian Pop History

Lev Dutkovsky, a pivotal figure in Soviet and Ukrainian music, co-founded the beloved 1970s ensemble Smerichka and left a lasting imprint on Ukrainian pop culture. His passing at age 80 marks the end of an era for a generation that witnessed the rise of a distinctly Ukrainian voice within the larger Soviet music scene. Dutkovsky’s career spanned decades of change, during which he helped shape the soundscape that carried Ukrainian artistry into homes across the USSR and beyond. His death came after a long life of creative exploration, collaboration, and the mentorship of younger musicians who would carry forward his tradition of melodic storytelling and accessible, heartfelt songcraft.