Viktor Robertovich Tsoi (Russian: Ви́ктор Ро́бертович Цой, sometimes transliterated as Zoy); 21 June 1962 – 15 August 1990) was a Soviet rock musician, leader of the band Kino. He is regarded as one of the pioneers of Russian rock and has many devoted fans across the countries of the former Soviet Union even today. Few musicians in the history of Russian music have been more popular or have had more impact on their genre than Viktor Tsoi and his rock band Kino. Tsoi contributed a plethora of musical and artistic works, including ten albums. He died in a car accident on August 15, 1990, aged 28. At the age of 17, Tsoi began writing songs. Tsoi made his stage debut at Leningrad's Rock Club in 1982 and shortly afterwards formed his group, Kino (Cinema). The same year Kino released their first album 45. In 1982, Tsoi also met Marianna, who he married in 1985. She was a source of support and family for Tsoi, giving birth to their son Alexander (Sasha) on 5 August 1985. While in Latvia, on 14 August 1990, Tsoi finished recording the vocals for Kino's next album. He was supposed to travel back to Leningrad so that his band mates could record its musical score. Early in the morning of 15 August, Viktor Tsoi was driving on the road Sloka - Talsi when his car collided with a bus outside Tukums at high speed. Tsoi died instantly. The investigation concluded that Tsoi had fallen asleep while driving, possibly due to fatigue; he did not consume alcohol for at least 48 hours before his death. On 17 August, Komsomolskaya Pravda, one of the main Soviet newspapers, had the following to say about Tsoi: "Tsoi means more to the young people of our nation than any politician, celebrity or writer. This is because Tsoi never lied and never sold out. He was and remains himself. It's impossible not to believe him... Tsoi is the only rocker who has no difference between his image and his real life, he lived the way he sang... Tsoi is the last hero of rock."