Ivan Lechev – “My whole life is divided into two periods - before FSB and together with FSB.”

Born on July 19, 1956.

Started studying violin at the age of 12 in the class of his famous father Prof. Boyan Lechev. In 1975 he graduated the National Music School in Sofia and finished his higher studies in 1981 at The State Music Academy. Before long he had accumulated a vast repertoire of classical violin works, presented dozens of solo concerts, performed together with the Academic Symphony Orchestra, and was preparing for the prestigious international P.I.Tchaikovsky competition. Meantime he was playing the guitar, influenced by his older brother Todor’s rock band. There he met Roumen Boyadzhiev. That was all until 1978, when Alexander Baharov invited him to participate in one of FSB’s studio sessions.

“Changing the genre was not a stress for me. I still think that was the only thing I ever wanted and would do it over again!”

Gradually the imperative need for precision in the studio transformed the virtuoso violinist into a perfect guitar player. The everyday playing routine, the unforgiving of errors and inaccuracies recording tape, and the demanding professional environment raised his level of experience, and in 1979 Ivan Lechev became the fifth member of FSB. The band was publicly declared a quintet with their new album The Globe. Unsurprisingly, hundreds of arrangements for the repertoire of top Bulgarian pop singers followed soon.

His inbred talent and professionalism led him naturally to music composition. Ivan Lechev is a composer of film and theater music. He has been nominated twice for the Askeer prize, has written music for children's television series and musical tags for bTV. He is the author of music for radio and television advertising spots.

“Playing live – I can’t live without it!”

The thousands of concerts with FSB had turned Ivan Lechev into a “live” addict. After the first 20 years, the band’s intensive live playing came to a halt and Lechev’s iconic guitar since became an intrinsic part of Bulgaria’s concert and club life. His guitar erupted again in the unforgettable concert tour of FSB in 2000 and their historic concert on Alexander Batenberg Square in 2007.

The release of FSB`s new album and the planned promotional concerts are a cause for joy, satisfaction and hope...

“It was inevitable! I see this as a new beginning. I hope I’m not too optimistic, but the fact is we haven’t said our final word yet!”