Bigger-than-life German singer Ivan Rebroff was born prematurely on a train platform in Berlin in 1931. The internationally acclaimed vocalist was passionate about Russian folk songs (his parents were both Russian immigrants), was quite fond of red wine, and had a range that spanned four and a half octaves. He played over 6,000 shows, has released countless records, and dabbled in nearly every genre known to man with both gusto and respect. ~ James Christopher Monger