Not in the USSR

In 1993 classical music, jazz, and the Beatles were the biggest hits on the Russian music scene. Queen, Eric ClaptonEric Clapton, George Michael, and Take That were also readily available in cassette form.

But prior to the fall of Communism many western artists were not allowed in the local clubs (not to mention the radio) because the Soviet Komsomol – the young people’s Communist party – believed the artists to promote violence, anti-Communism, punk attitudes, eroticism and sex.

The list of 38 names which was recently unclassified and translated contains some rock groups that might be expected, but there are also some that may come as a surprise.

Artists banned by the Soviet Party are:
Sex Pistols
B-52s
Madness
Clash
Stranglers
KISS
Krokus
Styx
Iron Maiden
Judas Priest
ACDC
Sparks
Black Sabbath
Alice CooperAlice Cooper
Nazareth
Scorpions
Genghis Khan
UFO
Pink Floyd
Talking Heads
Perron
Bohannon
Originals
Donna Summer
Tina TurnerTina Turner
Junior English
Canned Heat
Munich Machine
Ramones
Van Halen
Julio Iglesias
Yazoo
Depeche Mode
Village People
10cc
Stooges
Boys
Blondie