ROCKIN' THE KREMLIN: My Incredible True Story of Gangsters, Oligarchs, and Pop Stars in Putin's Russia (Rowman & Littlefield; released July 2, 2024) follows David Junk as he becomes the first CEO of Universal Music Russia and builds impactful cultural bridges with music—but also how that would all shatter with the rise of Vladimir Putin and invasions of Ukraine.
There was no proper music industry in the USSR. However, David assembled a team of young and talented Russians, and they navigated a terrain filled with political chaos, organized crime, powerful oligarchs, bombings, and violence—with cultural clashes tinting many aspects. They captivated millions by bringing the music of superstar acts to Russia for the first time ever, including Metallica, Mariah Carey, Sting, Eminem, Bon Jovi and Enrique Iglesias, while developing local talent such as Alsou and t.A.T.u.—Russia’s greatest selling pop act of all time. Eventually, David even built a music industry in Ukraine and other countries in Eastern Europe.
While Russia’s descent into authoritarianism and two invasions of Ukraine have tarnished this, the industry that David shepherded has birthed a newer generation of Russian musicians who are speaking out against the war and Putin. Filled with unique insights as well as gripping—and sometimes humorous—stories, this book reveals how it all happened.
“A fast-moving, information-rich narrative about the intersections between politics and pop culture behind the Iron Curtain. [Junk and Bronson’s] book will probably appeal to readers who want a behind the scenes look at the music industry in Putin’s Russia and a rare view of the powerful forces that spawn and prohibit the birth and proliferation of singers, songwriters, and their fans in a nation where freedom of expression and the First Amendment are not taken for granted.” —New York Journal of Books
“Music industry veteran Junk debuts with an energetic chronicle of his crusade to bring popular Western music to post-Soviet Russia... It’s an exciting and colorful look at a dynamic period in Russia’s cultural history.” —Publishers Weekly
David Junk was the first CEO of Universal Music in Moscow, and for a decade he promoted international artists in Russia, including stars like Mariah Carey, Elton John, U2, Sting, and Bon Jovi. He also signed many Russian artists to Universal, including t.A.T.u. and Alsou. David was Vice-President Eastern Europe at Universal Music in 2003, opened the first Universal Music office in Kyiv, Ukraine, and developed music reality shows for Ukrainian TV. David was also the North American Entertainment Relations Director of Gibson Brands, Inc., where he started company operations in Russia and opened the first Gibson Guitar showroom in Moscow. He was a founding member of the Russian Music Industry Association and the US Ambassadors Task Force on Intellectual Property Rights.
Fred Bronson is the author of six books, including The Jacksons: Legacy, The Sound of Music Family Scrapbook, Dick Clark's American Bandstand, and three Billboard charts books. For over three decades, he has been reporting on the music industry for Billboard magazine, covering many topics including American Idol, the Eurovision Song Contest, ABBA, and Motown. Bronson has been called “America’s foremost chart journalist” by the editor of Billboard magazine and as an expert on music has guest-starred on American Idol four times. He was a guest judge, with Kristin Chenoweth, on the premiere episode of the TV series, CMT’s Next Superstar. His articles have also appeared in The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, and the Los Angeles Times.
