The body of Nikolai Plyavin, known for his work with Bi-2 and Dune, was reported by Moscow-based media in reference to a source within operational services. He was 64 years old at the time of his passing.
Reports indicate the musician was located in a rented apartment on Festivalnaya Street.
Officials stated that death is not considered a crime and the precise cause has been established, according to a TASS source.
Plyavin’s body was sent for forensic examination to determine the exact timeline and factors surrounding his death.
According to REN TV, the musician’s son discovered the body on November 15. Preliminary data suggest the death occurred on November 14.
Over the past month, Plyavin had not been feeling well. An ambulance was dispatched three times after he reported dizziness and an inability to perform simple tasks, such as opening doors or pouring water, a REN TV source stated.
Early in November, the illness intensified to the point where he could not admit medical personnel. His son arrived at the apartment and facilitated access for doctors, and Plyavin was hospitalized. He spent the November holidays in the hospital and then returned home.
The last noted incident occurred around November 1 or 2. His son opened the door when emergency services arrived, and medical staff entered. The son later reported that the ambulance team had already administered medications, but Plyavin’s condition did not improve, according to Izvestia.
The publication also noted that the son insisted on taking his father to the hospital despite the ongoing symptoms of dizziness, weakness, and inability to perform basic tasks. Ambulance and police teams had previously responded on several occasions without the patient recovering his strength.
After discharge, Plyavin stayed with his son until contact was lost. He last answered his father’s mobile phone on November 10, and on November 15 the son visited the home to discover his father unresponsive with visible injuries and no longer breathing, as reported by Izvestia.
Plyavin’s enduring influence in rock circles
Nikolai Plyavin built his reputation as a versatile keyboardist and drummer within the rock scene. He seldom granted interviews, choosing to keep his personal life private, which means detailed biographical notes are sparse. Still, his contributions were widely recognized by fellow musicians and fans alike.
Born on June 6, 1959, Plyavin’s passion for music emerged early. He received formal training and gravitated toward rock, joining multiple bands during his career. He performed with Bi-2, Dune, and the lesser-known Kukuruza, and collaborated with notable figures such as Viktor Zinchuk and Evgeniy Osin.
His most widely known period came during his time with Bi-2, from 1999 to 2006, when his performances helped shape the band’s early 2000s sound. Plyavin and his relatives who shared the musical path often collaborated, adding depth to their projects. His brother Alexander was also a professional musician, and the brothers performed together after joining Bi-2 in 2002, contributing to albums like Meow Kiss Me (2001) and Foreign Cars (2004). The era produced memorable tracks, including My Love, My Rock and Roll, Light Up, The Last Hero, and Slippery Streets.
Alexander Plyavin passed away from cancer in 2014. The Bi-2 collective publicly expressed their condolences to Alexander’s family and friends, underscoring the lasting impact of his presence in the band during that period.
Throughout his life, Nikolai Plyavin remained connected to the music scene, collaborating with Russian rock acts and continuing to study and refine his craft in his later years. His legacy endures in the memories of those who shared the stage with him and in the body of work that continues to resonate with fans of the genre.