Andrei Shatalin, once a guitarist and a foundational figure in the rock band Alice, passed away at 63 after a long illness. His colleagues and friends offered condolences through official channels, reflecting on a life dedicated to music and art.
Full name Andrey Germanovich Shatalin, born June 4, 1960, and passing on November 13, 2023, marked the end of a remarkable chapter in Russian rock. The announcement from the band’s circle conveyed sympathy to his family and closest friends. It was published via a team channel on VKontakte, acknowledging the loss and honoring his memory.
A Telegram channel reported that Shatalin’s representatives described the cause of death as a prolonged illness, a detail that drew a quiet moment of reflection from fans and fellow musicians alike.
As of now there is no public information about a farewell ceremony or the date and location of a memorial event.
Shatalin’s life story includes a period away from the spotlight. In August, at the age of 63, he left home and did not return for some time. The Lisa Alert search program enlisted volunteers who eventually located him in a forest area. The rescue team later confirmed his condition as stable and healthy at the moment of discovery, noting that he showed no injuries during medical examination. Family members and the artist himself chose not to comment publicly on those events at the time.
The role Shatalin played within Alice was significant. In a conversation with music producer Alexander Kushnir for REN TV, he was described as a pivotal member of the band. Kushnir recalled that Shatalin helped create Alice in collaboration with Slava Zaderiy, now the band’s leader Kinchev, and contributed to several early albums. He was presented as a foundational force and a driving source of energy for the group, especially during the years leading up to 2003.
Kushnir emphasized that Shatalin was more than a support figure; he was a core contributor who shaped the group’s sound and ethos. The producer labeled him as a cult musician whose influence helped define the band’s development and enduring appeal in the national rock scene.
The origin of Shatalin traces back to Krasnoyarsk, where he was born in 1960 and began playing guitar with a local band called Illusion. His journey led him to study at the Leningrad Railway Engineers Institute, where he entered the construction department in 1980. While in education, he founded a group in Leningrad known as Democritus’ Well, writing both music and lyrics for the project.
Shatalin later described his poetry work as something he felt compelled to do, even when he did not sense a natural inclination toward it. After earning his diploma, he moved briefly to Riga before returning to Leningrad. In 1983, together with Svyatoslav Zaderiy, he co-founded the group Alice, becoming its first guitarist and a key creative mind from the start.
Throughout the Alice era, Shatalin contributed to albums such as Block Island, Coven, For Those Who Fell from the Moon, and Dark Mark. Fans consistently recognized him by the nickname Shuttle. In 1988, during the recording of The Sixth Forester, he briefly left the band due to a disagreement with Kinchev and briefly formed Kale 30, before returning to Alice before the first concerts of that new chapter.
The story continued with Shatalin remaining a member of Alice until 2003 when he departed the group. He explained that his creative directions diverged from Kinchev’s, noting that while the band explored new heavy and industrial directions, he preferred a blues-oriented approach. He described the experience as a personal artistic fork in the road and acknowledged the difficulty of the choice, reflecting on a transformative period for both him and the ensemble.
Rumors within the music community at the time suggested that tensions with Kinchev played a role, but Shatalin later emphasized that a frank, post-concert conversation in Krasnodar with Kinchev and fellow collaborators helped him decide to part ways on amicable terms. The relationship between the two men remained rooted in mutual respect, even as professional paths diverged.
Following his departure from Alice, Shatalin pursued a solo career. He released a solo album in 2007, titled 8 Melodies for Electric Piano, and several tracks from that work were later included in the soundtrack for the film A Beautiful Tomorrow. His final public performance featuring a solo program occurred in 2017, marking the end of a prolific period in his musical journey.
In reflecting on Shatalin’s career, peers and fans recognize a musician who helped shape one of the most enduring bands in Russia’s rock history. His contributions, both as a co-founder and as a creative engine, left a lasting legacy that continues to influence contemporary artists in the genre. His passing is mourned by those who valued his artistry, his energy, and the quiet, unwavering commitment he brought to every performance. The story of Alice, with Shatalin as a central figure, remains a testament to the power of collaboration, vision, and the enduring pull of rock music in the cultural landscape. [Cited: REN TV and contemporaries in the music industry]