Forty-four years ago, a pivotal moment in Soviet rock history occurred in Sverdlovsk (now Yekaterinburg) with the city’s first rock festival. Organized by architecture students, the event showcased bands like “Urfin Dzhyus” and “Track,” laying the foundation for the Ural rock scene that would later produce iconic groups such as “Agatha Christie” and “Nautilus Pompilius”.

Despite its impact, the festival was swiftly dismissed by authorities. Held on June 6, 1981, in the DK “Avtomobilist” (formerly the Holy Trinity Cathedral), the festival was the brainchild of Gennady Baranov, Oleg Rakovitch, and Alexander Korotich, who secured equipment through various connections and support from a Komsomol committee secretary.

The festival featured eight bands and was judged by a commission including KGB representatives. While the commission favored “Urfin Dzhyus,” the audience preferred the lesser-known “R-Club,” highlighting the emerging counter-culture. The event drew a large crowd and sparked a sense of community among musicians and fans.

However, the positive atmosphere was short-lived. Following the festival, authorities condemned the event, labeling the organizers “enemies of the people” and suppressing any media coverage. Despite this backlash, the festival’s impact was undeniable, it ignited a creative movement and paved the way for the Sverdlovsk Rock Club and the widespread recognition of Ural rock bands.