The New York Post wrote, "An overachiever like John Denver couldn't have been this boring".[68]. Foremost among these was his inadequate transition training on this type of aircraft and the builder's decision to put the fuel selector handle in a hard-to-reach place. Father Brooke Crawford And Mother- Family EthnicityContinue, Alan Jackson is still alive and safe. - Quora Answer (1 of 4): No. Denver worked as both a performer and a skiing commentator, as skiing was another of his enthusiasms. The fuel gauge was also placed behind the pilot's seat and was not visible to the person at the controls. In an open letter to the media, he wrote that he opposed oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. His wives were: Maggie Ryan (19601966), Jean Webber (19671970), Carole Abrahams (19721975), and Dreama Perry. His eleven concerts in the USSR were the first by any American artist in more than 10 years. [7] By 1974, he was one of America's best-selling performers; AllMusic has called Denver "among the most beloved entertainers of his era".[8]. Denver's career flourished thereafter, and he had a series of hits over the next four years. Okun brought the unreleased "Jet Plane" song to Peter, Paul and Mary. Further tributes were made at the following Grammy and Country Music Association Awards. [24] Denver's song also made it to No. Michelle Heaton Plastic Surgery Before And After: What Happened To Her Face? alongside George Burns. Violence in a familiar, pleasant setting: The formula behind Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Do Not Sell My Information CA Residents. [56][57] An NTSB interview with the aircraft mechanic servicing Denver's plane revealed that he and Denver had discussed the inaccessibility of the cockpit fuel selector valve handle and its resistance to being turned. ; he described himself as the eldest son of a family shaped by a stern father unable to show his love for his children. [36][57][55], On April 21, 1989, Denver was in a plane accident while taxiing down the runway at Holbrook Municipal Airport in his vintage 1931 biplane. Discover the truth. People often ask this, given their same last name. [20] Denver's criticism of the conservative politics of the 1980s was expressed in his autobiographical folk-rock ballad "Let Us Begin (What Are We Making Weapons For?)". For instance, Denver described how he was censored for "Rocky Mountain High", which was misconstrued as a drug song.[41]. [72], On September 24, 2007, the California Friends of John Denver and The Windstar Foundation unveiled a bronze plaque near the spot where his plane went down. Do the following facts relate to Bob Denver or John Denver? N o they aren't related. Site Map [36] He entered discussions with the Soviet space program about purchasing a flight aboard one of their rockets. 1 songs ("Sunshine on My Shoulders", "Annie's Song", "Thank God I'm a Country Boy", and "I'm Sorry") and three No. He visited Africa during the 1980s to witness firsthand the suffering caused by starvation and work with African leaders toward solutions. The handle had originally been intended by the plane's designer to be between the pilot's legs. He cut their marital bed in half with a chainsaw. You got 12 out of 16 - I guessed four of them and of course I got them wrong. The English singer is best known as a former British-Irish pop group Liberty X member. (1969) "Anthem-Revelation". [17] Denver recorded songs by Tom Paxton, Eric Andersen, John Prine, David Mallett, and many others in the folk scene. [36] It won the Osborn Award from the Aviation/Space Writers' Association, and was honored by the Houston Film Festival. [30] When Denver ended his business relationship in 1982 because of Weintraub's focus on other projects,[31] Weintraub threw Denver out of his office and accused him of Nazism. Also Read:Shalom Harlow Illness And Health Update: What Happened To Canadian Model? [18], At age 11, Denver received an acoustic guitar from his grandmother. I was too distracted thinkin' 'bout Mary Ann and Ginger! Bob Denver Net Worth at the time of his death is $21 Million Dollars (Approx). It won a posthumous Best Musical Album For Children Grammy, Denver's only Grammy. Eventually, over 100 friends and family attended the dedication of the plaque, which features a bas-relief of the singer's face and lines from his song "Windsong": "So welcome the wind and the wisdom she offers. The other will forever be known as Gilligan. A benefit concert was held at Broomfield's 1stBank Center and hosted by Olivia Newton-John. [9] In 1998, he was arrested for marijuana delivered to his home, originally saying that the delivery came from Dawn Wells, who played Mary Ann on Gilligan's Island, but he later refused to name her in court, testifying that "some crazy fan must have sent it." There are some dates in his biography that should be remembered: 1892 - Oklahoma land rush [3] Between the end of Dobie Gillis and the beginning of Gilligan's Island, Denver appeared in an episode of The Farmer's Daughter and in the final episode of The Danny Thomas Show. Friday and Gannon recruit a woman cop to nab a burglar. He turned down an offer to refuel, saying that he would be flying for about an hour.[56][57]. His seasonal special, Rocky Mountain Christmas, was watched by more than 60 million people and was the highest-rated show for the ABC network at that time. It was, like, a piece of my heart had been sold off.". Before he became established, he worked as a mailman and teacher. Around the World Live is a 5-disc DVD set featuring three complete live performances with full band from Australia in 1977, Japan in 1981, and England in 1986. I enjoyed Gilligans Island, in 1995 I met Dawn Wells who played Maryann on Gilligans Island she wrote a cook book everything was related to what they cooked on the show Dawn and Russel Johnson the professor did tours and met fans of Gilligans Island. RCA did not actively promote Rhymes & Reasons with a tour, but Denver embarked on an impromptu supporting tour throughout the Midwest, stopping at towns and cities, offering to play free concerts at local venues. "Dud" Wash, the fianc of Charlene Darling of the Darlings, on The Andy Griffith Show which was aired March 30, 1964. What Happened To American singer? "Back to the Beach" was an excuse to get all those teen idols of the '50s and '60s back together, so I knew that was Bob. Did You Hear the One About the Traveling Saleslady? [25] As writer of "Leaving on a Jet Plane", he was often successful in gaining some promotional airtime, usually performing one or two songs live. Witnesses estimated the plane's altitude between 350 and 500 feet (110 and 150m) when heading toward the shoreline. The couple ultimately divorced in 1982. "Back to the Beach" was an excuse to get all those teen idols of the '50s and '60s back together, so I knew that was Bob. [7], Denver was married four times. Cookie Policy On September 23, 2007, nearly ten years after Denver's death, his brother Ron witnessed the dedication of a plaque placed near the crash site in Pacific Grove, California. How television has changed. 1975), Dreama Perry (m. 1979 his death. Four episodes of Dusty's Trail were later combined to create a feature film, The Wackiest Wagon Train in the West (1976). Early life [ edit] Robert Osbourne "Bob" Denver (January 9, 1935 - September 2, 2005) was an American comedic actor. 5 Bob Denver Children. The talks fell through after the price tag was rumored to be as high as $20million. After filming the first three episodes, Denver received his draft notice, and was briefly written out of the script and replaced, but he was designated 4-F due to an old neck injury and returned to Dobie Gillis having missed only one episode. Actor: Gilligan's Island. Denver died on the afternoon of October 12, 1997, when his light homebuilt aircraft, a Rutan Long-EZ with registration number N555JD, crashed into Monterey Bay near Pacific Grove, California, while making a series of touch-and-go landings at the nearby Monterey Peninsula Airport. Filipino Singer Jovit Baldivino Died Of Aneurysm, Death Cause- What Happened To Him? Denver had endured a quadruple bypass surgery in 2005 and passed away from cancer-related complications on September 2, 2005 at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, North Carolina. These digital recordings were made during 11 concerts and then rediscovered in 2002. In his 1994 autobiography, Take Me Home, Denver described his life as the eldest son of a family shaped by a stern father who could not show his love for his children. You might Watch 2 full hours of All in the Family Sundays at 8P | 7C, MeTVs Sunday Cruise starts with the Love Boat at 5PM | 4C. Bob also had a sister, Helen Marie (Denver) Goggans. He was a guest host on 'The Tonight Show' in the 1970s, filling in for Johnny Carson. The other will forever be known as Gilligan. [53][55] In 1996, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) determined that Denver was medically disqualified from operating an aircraft due to his failure to abstain from alcohol; in October 1995, following Denver's drunk-driving conviction, the FAA had directed Denver to abstain from alcohol if he wished to continue flying airplanes. Robert Osbourne Denver was born on January 9, 1935 in New Rochelle, New York to Arthur L. Denver and Marion Denver. John was born Henry John Deutschendorf Jr.; he chose Denver for his stage name. Musician Index: He also a guest starred on "The Muppet Show," the beginning of the lifelong friendship between him and Jim Henson that spawned two television specials with The Muppets. Perhaps you had the help of a good buddy? [5][6] A decade after the series was canceled, Denver played Gilligan in the made-for-TV reunion movies Rescue from Gilligan's Island (1978), The Castaways on Gilligan's Island (1979), and The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan's Island (1981). When he was successful in persuading a school, college, American Legion hall, or coffeehouse to let him play, he distributed posters in the town and usually showed up at the local radio station, guitar in hand, offering himself for an interview. Denver's music was defended by country singer Kathy Mattea, who told Alanna Nash of Entertainment Weekly: "A lot of people write him off as lightweight, but he articulated a kind of optimism, and he brought acoustic music to the forefront, bridging folk, pop, and country in a fresh way People forget how huge he was worldwide. [67], In 2000, CBS presented the television film Take Me Home: The John Denver Story loosely based on his memoirs, starring Chad Lowe as Denver. In a 1983 interview shown in the documentary John Denver: Country Boy (2013), Denver said that career demands drove them apart; Martell said they were too young and immature to deal with Denver's sudden success. The capital of Colorado State in the U.S. - Denver - was named after Bob Denvers great-great-grandfather, James William Denver. [58], Denver was also an avid skier and golfer, but his principal interest was in flying. At first, Denver wasn't sure he wanted to be an actor, but gradually gave in, deciding that's what he was going to do for a career. [26] In 1974 and 1975, Denver had a string of four No. [36] Denver once said, "I'll tell you the best thing about me. Denver's solo recording contract resulted in part from the recording by Peter, Paul, and Mary of his song "Leaving on a Jet Plane", which became the sole number-one hit single for the group. Denver recorded and released approximately 300 songs, about 200 of which he composed. For a few months after graduation, Denver worked for the postal service and also taught math, history and P.E. After Gilligan's Island, Denver went on to star on other TV comedy series, including The Good Guys (19681970), Dusty's Trail (1973-1974) (a show similar to Gilligan's Island, involving a lost wagon train headed to California), and the Sid and Marty Krofft children's program Far Out Space Nuts (1975). Did the pop star go under the knife? [20] In 1980, Denver and his father, by then a lieutenant colonel, co-hosted an award-winning television special, The Higher We Fly: The History of Flight. This Week on the Ed Sullivan Show- April 30th: A Tribute to Harry MeTV is giving you an extra hour of M*A*S*H all month long in Watch Season 4 of Collectors Call! He was a guest host on 'The Tonight Show' in the 1970s, filling in for Johnny Carson. [78] Country singer John Berry considers Denver the greatest influence on his own music and has recorded Denver's hit "Annie's Song" with the original arrangement. He graduated in 1953 from David Starr Jordan High School in Long Beach, California. Name: John Denver. Both appeared on television and in movies. During the run, Denver privately went out of his way to help his co-stars who warmly appreciated his efforts, such as successfully demanding that Russell Johnson and Dawn Wells be included in the series' opening credits and insisting that Wells get an equal share of the series' publicity with Tina Louise. (Source: Me TV) Denver had battled to expand the refuge in the 1980s, and he praised President Bill Clinton for his opposition to the proposed drilling. Friday and Gannon recruit a woman cop to nab a burglar. [20][21][22] He was also a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity. [56][57], Beyond music, Denver's artistic interests included painting, but because of his limiting schedule he pursued photography, saying once, "photography is a way to communicate a feeling." Denver and Martell divorced in 1982. I knew John filled in for Carson because of a classic blooper he made while interviewing a scientist about Comet Kohoutekhe accidentally said 'Comet KOTEX'! . On paper, a collaboration between John Denver and Olivia Newton-John couldn 't miss in 1975. He hosted a single episode of 'The Muppet Show' in 1979. In 1976, he campaigned for Carter, who became a close friend and ally. John and Annie adopted a son, Zachary John, and a daughter, Anna Kate, who, John said, were meant to be theirs. [50] After the success of "Rocky Mountain High", inspired by a camping trip with Annie and some friends, Denver bought a residence in Aspen, Colorado. His dismay at the Chernobyl disaster led to precedent-setting concerts in parts of communist Asia and Europe.[20]. Credited as Robert Denver, he had a small role in the Jimmy Stewart film, Take Her, She's Mine (1963), playing a beatnik poet working at a coffee shop. American songwriter, singer, guitarist (19431997), In 2011, the category was merged back into, National Transportation Safety Board, "NTSB Public Meeting of January 26, 1999: Aircraft Accident involving John Denver in Flight Collision with Terrain/Water October 12, 1997, Pacific Ocean near Pacific Grove, CA, LAX-98-FA008", Washington, D.C., January 26, 1999. Funeral services were held at Faith Presbyterian Church in Aurora, Colorado, on October 17, 1997, officiated by Pastor Les Felker, a retired Air Force chaplain, after which Denver's remains were cremated and his ashes scattered in the Rocky Mountains. The band's albums were released on Denver's Windsong Records label, later known as Windstar Records. He decided to change his name when Randy Sparks, founder of the New Christy Minstrels, suggested that 'Deutschendorf' would not fit comfortably on a marquee. His father was a United States Army Air Forces pilot stationed at Roswell Army Air Field. With numerous songs in the 1980s, including Never Gonna Give You Up, Together Forever, and Whenever You Need Somebody, Rick Astley rose to prominence all over the world. In 1977, he starred in the hit comedy film Oh, God! Julia Michaels And Niall Horan Relationship: Are They Dating? Denver had four children in total, two with his first wife and one each with his third and fourth wife. Senator Nancy Todd said, "John Denver to me is an icon of what Colorado is". [56][57] The board issued recommendations on the requirement and enforcement of mandatory training standards for pilots operating home-built aircraft. Sundays at 6:30 PM | 5:30 Watch The Beverly Hillbillies and the Twilight Zone weeknights Do you suffer from Carol Burnett Ear Tugging Syndrome? [56] He was the plane's only occupant. Other performers participating in the event included the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Lee Ann Womack, and John Oates. [36], In the mid-1970s, Denver became outspoken in politics. In 1957, Denver acquired a political science degree from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. It is at the Colorado Music Hall of Fame at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Olivia Newton-John, an Australian singer whose across-the-board appeal to pop, middle-of-the-road, and country audiences in the mid-1970s was similar to Denver's, lent her distinctive backup vocals to Denver's 1975 single "Fly Away"; she performed the song with Denver on his 1975 Rocky Mountain Christmas special. ", He played a bartender in the nostalgic 1987 movie 'Back to the Beach.'. [56][57], The mechanic said that he told Denver that the fuel sight gauges were visible only to the rear cockpit occupant. In previous years, he had several arrests for drunk driving. "I didn't agree with this assessment", Kragen said, but he reluctantly turned Denver down anyway.[38]. In the 1983 finale, Denver was joined on stage by folk music legend Joan Baez, with whom he led an all-star version of "Blowin' in the Wind" and "Let the Sunshine In", joined by such diverse musical icons as Jennifer Warnes, Donna Summer, and Rick James. In 1957, Bob Denver debuted on TV with a small part on the show The Silent Service. Both appeared on television and in movies. Living in Fort Worth was a distressing experience for Denver, and in his third year of high school, he drove his father's car to California to visit family friends and begin his music career. His first marriage was in 1967 to Annie Martell of St. Peter, Minnesota, who was the subject of his song, John Denver And Bob Denver Net Worth Difference. Similarly, Jovit Lasin Baldivino was a professional Filipino singer and Actor. He lived in Aspen for much of his life, and he was known for his love of Colorado. Before becoming a star, he taught P.E., math and history at a Catholic school. He served for many years and supported the organization until his death. 2005), Jean Webber (m. 1967 div. John had a younger brother named Ron Deutschendorf. Dreama Perry Denver is the wife of the late comic actor, Bob Denver who was known for playing Gilligan on the 1964-1967 television series Gilligan's Island, and beatnik Maynard G. Krebs on the 1959-1963 series The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis.Dreama is also an actress, though, she worked mostly in the theater background. [69] An anthology musical featuring Denver's music, Back Home Again: A John Denver Holiday, premiered at the Rubicon Theatre Company in 2006. Most Wanted Westerns is on right after Bugs Bunny & Friends every Out of all these M*A*S*H truths, can you figure out which one is the lie? Is Bob Denver related to John Denver? 1970), Maggie Ryan (m. 1960 div. . Both could bring a smile to any faces. After taking a 6-year break, he returned to music, Read More No, Rick Astley Is Not Gay Instead He Married To Lene Bausager? His last song, "Yellowstone, Coming Home", composed while rafting along the Colorado River with his son and young daughter, is included. In 1969, Denver abandoned band life to pursue a solo career and released his first album for RCA Records, Rhymes & Reasons. Bob had one sibling: a sister named Helen Marie (Denver) Goggans. In 1965, he joined The Chad Mitchell Trio, replacing founder Chad Mitchell. You got 12 out of 16 - I guessed four of them and of course I got them wrong. Both could bring a smile to any faces. He had recently purchased the Long-EZ aircraft, made by someone else from a kit,[63] and had taken a half-hour checkout flight with the aircraft the day before his accident. Later in life, he became a radio personality and hosted an oldies program in his home of Princeton, West Virginia. As of the present, she is a professional author. Denvers role as the goatee-sporting beatnik, Maynard G. Krebs, on The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, was the breakout role of his career. John had a versatile career as a singer-songwriter, guitarist, actor, and more, whereas Bob was primarily involved in acting. That's more than enough. After several months of this, he had built a solid fan base, many of whom remained loyal throughout his career.[17]. His newly purchased amateur-built Rutan aircraft had an unusual fuel tank selector valve handle configuration. 4 Bob Denver Wife. You got 13 out of 16. "[52] Zachary was the subject of "A Baby Just Like You", a song that included the line "Merry Christmas, little Zachary" and which he wrote for Frank Sinatra. [51] The Denvers adopted a boy, Zachary John, and a girl, Anna Kate, who, Denver said, were "meant to be" theirs. [5], After traveling and living in numerous locations while growing up in his military family, Denver began his music career with folk music groups during the late 1960s. Also in 1985, he passed NASA's rigorous physical exam and was in line for a space flight, a finalist for the first citizen's trip on the Space Shuttle in 1986. The mirror was later recovered in the wreckage. At the ceremony, the outgoing Entertainer of the Year, Charlie Rich, presented the award to his successor after he set fire to the slip of paper containing the official notification of the award. John Denver and Bob Denver may not be related, but they are both Baby Boomer icons of the 1960s and '70s. He portrayed Gilligan on the television series Gilligan's Island and the beatnik Maynard G. Krebs on the 1959-1963 TV series The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis. He starred in the hit 1977 movie 'Oh, God!' In fact, their biographies may be easily confused. Denver appeared in several films and television specials during the 1970s and 1980s, including the 1977 hit Oh, God!, in which he starred alongside George Burns. And now we bring to you Bob Denver is not related to John Denver. Related topics. Weintraub insisted on a reissue of the track and began a radio airplay campaign that started in Denver, Colorado. R obert Osbourne "Bob" Denver (January 9, 1935 - September 2, 2005) was born in New Rochelle, New York and raised in Brownwood, Texas . According to Ken Kragen (who helped to produce the song), Denver was turned down because many people felt his image would hurt the credibility of the song as a pop-rock anthem. [56], Post-accident investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) showed that the leading cause of the accident was Denver's inability to switch fuel tanks during flight. Readers: John Denver was a cocaine addict & drunk driver, so don't name peak for him Michael Roberts July 15, 2011 10:27AM MeTVs got the Best Seat in the House! An avid pilot, Denver was killed in a single-fatality crash while piloting a recently purchased light plane in 1997 at age 53. In 1984, ABC Sports president Roone Arledge asked Denver to compose and sing the theme song for the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo. I was too distracted thinkin' 'bout Mary Ann and Ginger! See if you can tell them apart. Shalom Harlow Illness And Health Update: What Happened To Canadian Model? [55] In 1974, he bought a Learjet to fly himself to concerts. Denver had a few more US Top 30 hits as the 1970s ended, but nothing to match his earlier success. His role as the well-meaning but bumbling first mate among a small group of shipwrecked castaways became the one for which he is most remembered. He was a collector of vintage biplanes and owned a Christen Eagle aerobatic plane, two Cessna 210 Centurion airplanes, and a 1997 amateur-built Rutan Long-EZ. [56][57], Before the flight, Denver and the mechanic had attempted to extend the reach of the handle using a pair of Vise-Grip pliers, but this did not solve the problem, and the pilot still could not reach the handle while strapped into his seat. An exhibition of over 40 never-before-seen photographs taken by Denver debuted at the Leon Gallery in Denver, Colorado, in 2014. Try again You've got sunshine on your shoulders! Denver unsuccessfully tried to make a television comeback on other series like The Good Guys, Dustys Trail and Far Out Space Nuts from 1968 to 1975. In 1983, he starred in the television pilot The Invisible Woman as the bumbling mad scientist uncle of the title character. Archive; John Denver's friends, family say goodbye on a beautiful Colorado day. [44], In 1993, Denver pleaded guilty to a drunken driving charge and was placed on probation. His most famous songs includeTake Me Home, Country Roads,Sunshine on My Shoulders, andRocky Mountain High. He guest-starred as a wimpy deputy in a 1974 episode of McCloud called "Colorado Cattle Caper. Permission was finally granted in 1999, but the project was put on hold at the request of Denver's family. She loves football and is a big fan of Chelsea FC and the German national team. Denver also toured Russia in 1985. Spouse/Ex-: Carole Abrahams (m. 1972 div. Denver continued to play the role for four years. His live concert special, "An Evening with John Denver," won the 1974-1975 Emmy for Outstanding Special, Comedy-Variety or Music. The NTSB interviewed 20 witnesses about Denver's last flight. He lived in Aspen until his death. Soon after his birth, Denvers family moved to Brownwood, Texas and he graduated from Brownwood High School in 1953. I enjoyed Gilligans Island, in 1995 I met Dawn Wells who played Maryann on Gilligans Island she wrote a cook book everything was related to what they cooked on the show Dawn and Russel Johnson the professor did tours and met fans of Gilligans Island. From 1959 to 1963, he appeared on the series as Maynard G. Krebs, the teenaged beatnik best friend of Dobie Gillis, played by Dwayne Hickman. [20] Denver was also on the National Space Society's board of governors for many years. As it turned out, this sweetly nostalgic number featuring her soaring harmonies was a. In 1972, he had his first Top Ten album with Rocky Mountain High, with its title track reaching the Top Ten in 1973. [39], Denver testified before the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee on the topic of censorship during a Parents Music Resource Center hearing in 1985. Gender: Male. His big break came in 1958 when he bagged the role of a lazy teenager Maynard G. Krebs on the hit sitcom The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, for which he auditioned as a favour to his sister. Bob Denver was widely known for essaying the role of the bumbling yet good-natured first mate, Gilligan, on the cult television show Gilligans Island. Upon the announcement of Denver's death, Colorado Governor Roy Romer ordered all state flags to be lowered to half-staff in his honor. subjects at Corpus Christi School in the Pacific Palisades, California. Soon after his birth, the Denver family moved to Brownwood, Texas, where he graduated from Brownwood High School in 1953. In 1975, he was awarded the Country Music Association's Entertainer of the Year award. Denver's next album, Poems, Prayers & Promises (1971), was a breakthrough for him in the United States, thanks in part to the single "Take Me Home, Country Roads", which went to No. Are you sure you want to delete this comment? See if you can tell them apart. No, Rick Astley Is Not Gay Instead He Married To Lene Bausager? I was living in Monterey,CA back in 1997,right behind the Monterey airport.I remember the day John Denver died in that plane crash very well!He had built the experimental plane from a kit and it was his first(and last)test flight.I heard the plane take off all right,but then I heard a crash and splash less than 10 minutes later!My apartment was up on a hill so I could see a plane in the bay just off of Pacific Grove.I didn't know it was John Denver's plane until that evening on the news.=( R.I, I love Gilligan's Island and John Denver's songs. Later in life, he became a radio personality and hosted an oldies program in his home of Princeton, West Virginia. He also held a type rating in his Learjet. "[74], To mark the 10th anniversary of Denver's death, his family released a set of previously unreleased recordings of his 1985 concert performances in the Soviet Union.