Karel Gott became a superstar
Contrary to forecasts, Karel Gott was not able to gather a full house in the Kremlin, maybe three quarters.

Karel Gott imitates singers who are usually called “crooner” - sweet-voiced, with pleasant manners that maintain the style of Las Vegas - Sinatra, Iglesias, Dean Martin. And he imitates very well. Still, popularity, especially such a long-term one, usually does not arise out of nowhere. And Gott determined his current status himself, complaining at least twice during the concert that he had become “very old, just superstar.”
However, first Gott addressed the audience with a heartfelt speech in Russian. The singer was glad to come to Moscow again and was going to sing what they especially wanted to hear from him. On this occasion, “Paganini’s Violin” was played. Gott sang songs in Czech, Western hits, which he presented as “the hits of my youth.” For example - "Love Hurts" by Nazareth, "Great Pretender" by Freddie Mercury. Also, opera arias, about which the singer said that “they are usually sung by Luciano Pavarotti, but now look what Karel Gott will do with them.” After a well-performed Figaro aria, Gott noted that Pavarotti usually goes to this place to breathe fresh air and gain strength, but “the Slavs do not need rest.” And he sang Presley's "All Shook Up", taking the classic stance of the king of rock and roll. In general, the most enjoyable thing at the concert was the playing of the "Karel Gott Band", which from time to time sounded in the style of the now very fashionable cocktail orchestral music.
From the very beginning to the end of the concert, fans, mostly middle-aged, constantly appeared on stage. They carried bouquets, which the Czech guest patiently placed next to him. In addition to flowers, a shiny bag with unknown contents and a paper roll were also presented. Gott unfolded it and discovered his image, which he informed the public about. Almost every fan demanded an autograph. At first, the singer tried to avoid this by saying that he would sign autographs “after the performance, there, by the wardrobe.” Then he gave up. He had to sign tickets and other printed materials even during the performance of difficult arias, during which he recklessly sat on the edge of the stage and became easily accessible. I had to demonstrate true professionalism by holding the microphone with one hand and signing autographs with the other. At the very end, after the encore performance of the romance “I Met You,” a whole crowd of aunties burst onto the stage, surrounding Gott in a dense ring. Security had to intervene, after whose coordinated actions the singer hastily ran backstage and never appeared again.

YURIY-YAROTSKY

Newspaper "Kommersant" No. 72 dated April 25, 2000, page 13