Russian pop diva and Bee Gee plan British conquest

By Amie Ferris-Rotman

MOSCOW (Reuters Life!) - A platinum blonde from southern Russia who the West has compared to Madonna will enter the British music market next month after recording an old favourite with one of the Bee Gees.

Russian pop star Valeriya, who will soon turn 40, fell in love with top Bee Gees hit 'Stayin' Alive' as a child in the Soviet Union and covered it with Bee Gee Robin Gibb this year.

"In Russia the economic and political situation has changed a lot," Valeriya told Reuters TV at the weekend alongside Gibb at the Russian launch of her new album 'Out of Control', which includes the Bee Gees remake.

"(Unlike Soviet times) we now have many chances and I've decided to use them," Valeriya said under the chandeliers of elite Moscow nightclub 'The Most', which owners say billionaire Roman Abramovich frequents.

Valeriya -- who only goes by her first name -- and Gibb sang on stage to an audience including Russian pop star Larisa Dolina, designers and Gibb's extended family, who flew over from Britain.

"It's a great album, and it has a great chance to succeed in the UK due to its universal appeal," Gibb said, adding that he met Valeriya for the first time in London a few months ago.

"She's got a great, distinctive voice. She's already established in Russia and this is now a platform to do what she wants in other countries," said Gibb, who wore his trademark blue sunglasses.

Valeriya took a break from performing while she came to terms with what she has described as years suffering domestic violence when with her ex-husband.