Vladimir Semyonovich Vysotsky ( January 25 , 1938 â `` July 25 , 1980 ) was an iconic Soviet and Russian singer , songwriter , poet , and actor . Vladimir Semyonovich Vysotsky ( 25 January 1938 â `` 25 July 1980 ) was an iconic Soviet-Russian singer , songwriter , poet , and actor whose career had an immense and enduring effect on Russian culture .