Yuri Iosifovich Vizbor[a] (June 20, 1934 – September 17, 1984) was a Soviet bard and poet as well as a theatre and film actor.

He worked as a teacher, a soldier, a sailor, a radio and press correspondent, a ski instructor, and an actor in many Russian films and plays.

[3] In 1951, he graduated from high school and after several failed attempts to start studies in several high-ranking universities (he was denied the place as the "son of the enemy of the People") was accepted as a student of the Moscow State Pedagogical Institute.

By using his extremely varied professions as a template, Vizbor attempted to document various aspects of "normal life" at the height of Brezhnev's era of stagnation.

While most Russian bards relied on a rhythmic strumming pattern as the basis for their musical accompaniment, Vizbor was fond of a slow plucking style epitomized by songs such as "Fanskie Gory".

On a more somber note, his song "Seryoga Sanin" told the story of a free spirited friend who dies tragically.