Bulgarian singer and songwriter Kiril Ampov dies

Kiril Ampov, a beloved Bulgarian musician, singer and songwriter, has died, according to his family, cited by BG Radio.

Ampov was known not only for his voice, but also for his distinctive sense of humour, which helped shape the Bulgarian pop scene.

He was born on 14 July 1948 in Sofia and studied tourism geography, but chose to pursue a career in music. He rose to prominence in the 1980s as a member of the group Speshen Sluchay (“Emergency Case”), alongside his wife Antoaneta and Donko Avramov. The trio became known for bringing humour into Bulgarian pop music.

Their songs, including Kashlitsata (“The Cough”), Razvod (“Divorce”), Mama, Tatko i Az (“Mum, Dad and Me”) and Karay, Johnny (“Go On, Johnny”), became widely popular. Ampov also wrote one of Bulgaria’s best-known songs, Karolayna, often referred to as “Nine Million Mice”.

In the early 1990s, he created and hosted the popular radio and television programme Hit Minus One, which provided a platform for many young musical talents.

He also founded a recording studio, where he produced some of the early hits of his son, Vladimir Ampov, better known by his stage name Grafa, establishing himself as a producer.

He will be greatly missed.

Editor: Miglena Ivanova