From Russia with Love

[michelej1]

[Thought the drinking contest, or Vodga Guzzle, was amusing]

July 15, 1977, PM cycle


BYLINE: By JURATE KAZICKAS, Associated Press Writer

DATELINE: WASHINGTON

BODY:
President Carter talks about differences with the Soviet Union, but things can't be all that bad when Russian embassy officials stay up until 3 a.m. chug-a-lugging vodka with members of the rock group Fleetwood Mac.

And anyone who saw those Russians clutching their Fleetwood Mac albums to be autographed, clustered around sexy lead singer Stevie Nicks like bees to honeysuckle, could sense there was hope for the future of detente.

Some Soviet officials said Thursday that they had recommended to Moscow that the group, which is comprised of three English singers and two Americans, be invited to perform in the Soviet Union.

On Tuesday, the group performed in a steamy auditorium packed with 22,000 screaming fans. More than 30 Russian embassy personnel got the same good vibrations as President Carter's two sons, Health, Education and Welfare Secretary Joseph Califano and dozens of young White House staffers.

"Oh I liked the music very much," grinned Valentin Kamenev, Soviet press counselor at a party for the group afterwards.

He challenged singer Christine McVie to a vodka guzzle. The two were still standing after several glasses of the white lightning were downed and even better friends by the time they switched to Dom Perignon champagne to celebrate the singer's birthday.

So mellow was the mood of the party-hosted by a record company and a United Nations organization - that the talk eventually turned to a Fleetwood Mac concert in Russia.

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band recently was the first American rock group to visit the Soviet Union, but in the past the Soviets have turned down requests from other groups, including America, the Beach Boys and Chicago.

An aide to Soviet Ambassador Anatoly Dobrynin expressed concern about rock groups and "narcotics."

And another officials, who had just finished debating the neutron bomb with a reporter, referred to Carter's latest comments at a press conference about tensions between Washington and Moscow.

"Perhaps this would not be the right time. May be in a few years it would be better," he said, and added, "besides, there would have to be some corrections made."

Corrections.

"First, the music is too loud," the Russian said.

But Wednesday morning the group's lawyer, Michael Shapiro, met with Kamenev and came away optimistic about a trip to Russia, perhaps next year.

"I think they were genuinely impressed with the cleanliness, demeanor and charm of the group," said Shapiro.

"But this would not be just another rock concert. We're not going there to rip off rubles. We proposed that the proceeds from the concerts go to UNESCO and they liked that idea."