'Ilia Igorevich Lagutenko' (, born
October 16,
1968) is the lead singer and rhythm
guitarist of the band
Mumiy Troll.
He was born in
Moscow, Russia. Soon after his birth his father died, and the family moved to
Vladivostok.
In school he became engrossed in studying
Chinese.
He sang with a children’s choir that took him to many Russian cities as they traveled through half of the country.
In 1992, he graduated from the
Far Eastern State University as a specialist in the Far East and
Africa.
He worked in
China and
Great Britain with a commercial consulting firm. In 1983, he founded the rock group Mumi Troll, later renamed Mumiy Troll.
Lagutenko divides his residence among Moscow,
London and
Riga. He is divorced and has a son who is 18 years of age as of 2006, who also goes on tour with the band.
He was chosen a "Man of the Year 2005" for November by "
Glamour" magazine.
Lagutenko made a
cameo appearance as a vampire in the Russian
blockbuster "
The Night Watch" (Ночной Дозор). He and his band also wrote the soundtrack for the Russian movie "The Book Thieves" (Похитители Книг). This soundtrack was released as an official album of the band.