Laskovyj Maj was formed December 6th, 1986, at the Orenburg Boarding School Number 2. When it was formed it consisted of only two people, Sergej Kuznecov, a talented poet and composer, and Yura Shatunov, a 13 year old orphan from the Akbulak Children's Home. After doing a New Year's program in 1987, Kuznecov used a local recording studio, and recorded Yura's voice to a music track, which started their first album, on February 18th. After a couple of months, the whole Soviet Union was listening to Laskovyj Maj. They became so popular that they were gaining the attention of the press.
However, not everyone thought Laskovyj Maj's rise to success was a good thing. Valentina Tazikenova, the school's director, felt that Yura was not ready for such fame, and that it would have negative psychological consequences on him. Despite this, they continued to perform at discotheques, attracting the attention of television, and crowds of admirers.
Sometime in the summer of 1988, in Orenburg, they met Andrej Razin, who was working for a recording studio in Moscow called "Rekord". Razin had heard of the group by accident, because they had gotten so popular in Orenburg. He caused quite a stir, and some scandals (along with Kuznecov), and strictly prohibits the press to contact Yura, because witholding information about the group would allow Andrej to join the team, and work on their plans. Andrej then coaxed Sergej to move to Moscow, to work in the studio "Rekord", promising Yura that he too would come to Moscow. Sergej agrees, and on July 4th, 1988, he moves to Moscow. Two months later, on September 9th, 1988, Sergej brings Yura to Moscow, and enrolls him in Moscow Boarding School. This is followed by work in the studio, where they re-do their first album "Belyye rozy" on professional equipment. Then, they begin countless tours.
Shortly after, they added Sergej Serkov (a friend of Yura's from school) to the band as a drummer. On January 3rd, 1989, Kuznecov brought Igor Igoshina and Sasha Priko to Moscow to play keyboards in the band. Igor and Sasha also lived in the Akbulak Children's Home. Also, on "Utrennyaya pochta" the video for "Belyye rozy" debuts, and for the first time, Yura is seen on screen.
A little bit later, February 11th to be exact, from Akublak comes an old friend of Sergej's, musician Slava Ponamaryov. Slava was the one that introduced Sergej and Yura. However, the creativity does not end. Laskovyj Maj goes to different cities and performs. Andrej Razin then persuades Kuznecov to allow him to record a solo album, under the Laskovyj Maj name, and Kuznecov agrees, but because of this, the relationship between Kuznecov and Razin becomes severly strained. Kuznecov decides to leave Laskovyj Maj, and in March 1989, records a new albom called "Vzroslyye" with new soloist, Sasha Priko. Later,he gave the song to Yura to record for Laskovyj Maj, and names his project with Sasha "Mama".
