Sergei Efremenko, known by the nickname Efr, was a vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter associated with the St. Petersburg-based band Marksheider Kunst. He passed away in Saint Petersburg at the age of 51. A recent update from a Telegram channel run by a St. Petersburg culture editor confirms the artist’s death.
Reports from Fontanka indicate that Efremenko died on January 22, in the Pokrovskaya hospital. The news came amid reflections on his final days and the circumstances surrounding his health.
According to Denis Rachkov, who managed the group and spoke to Fontanka, Efremenko had not been feeling well since December. Family members described a period of regular health concerns, including ongoing leg discomfort, which prompted increased attention to his overall well-being during the months prior to his passing.
Efremenko would have turned 52 on January 23. The exact cause of death has not been disclosed publicly, leaving questions among fans and colleagues in the music community.
Marksheider Kunst is a prominent St. Petersburg music collective recognized for helping introduce and popularize ska, rumba, afrobeat, and salsa within the Russian rock landscape. The band’s material has reached broader audiences through inclusion in performances and soundtracks for various media, contributing to the cultural fabric of the city.
In another thread of the music world, a former composer and People’s Artist of the Russian Federation, Gennady Gladkov, passed away in Moscow at the age of 89. His long career left a lasting mark on Russian music and theatre, influencing generations of musicians and composers.
Additionally, news emerged that the poet and musician Mark Kotlyar has died at the age of 48. His creative contributions spanned multiple artistic disciplines, leaving a legacy within the regional scene and beyond.