Page "Vladimir Vysotsky" Paragraph 26

On January 22, 1980, Vysotsky entered the Moscow Ostankino TV Center to record his one and only studio concert for the Soviet television.

What proved to be an exhausting affair ( concentration missing, he had to plod through several takes for each song ) was premiered on the Soviet TV eight years later.

Last six months of his life saw Vysotsky appearing on stage sporadically, fueled by heavy dosages of drugs and alcohol.

His performances were often erratic.

Occasionally Vysotsky paid visits to Sklifosofsky institute's ER unit, but would not hear of Marina Vlady's suggestions for him to take long-term rehabilitation course in a Western clinic.

Yet he kept writing, mostly poetry and even prose, but songs as well.

The last song he performed was the agonizing My Sorrow, My Anguish and his final poem, written one week prior to his death was A Letter to Marina: " I'm less than fifty, but the time is short / By you and God protected, life and limb / I have a song or two to sing before the Lord / I have a way to make my peace with him.