While he was Azerbaidjani, he became a part of Russian culture. It is funny how I didn't like or appreciate him when I was young, because I felt he was a part of the Soviet Establishment (along with Kobzon and Leshchenko), always singing stupid propagandistic songs and stuff that sounded extremely phoney to me.
When I grew older, I realized that he and the other singers I mentioned here were extremely talented. And some of the songs they sang were really good, and really well sung...
I feel sad about him.
R.I.P.