Elton John became the first major Western rock star to give a performance in the U.S.S.R. on May 20, 1979. He kicked off a short stay within the communist nation, giving its residents a glimpse into the colorful world of pop and rock enjoyed throughout the West. Until that point, Western artists had been deemed evil by the Soviet government and all were prohibited from entering the country. Western rock and pop recordings were also banned throughout the country and could only be obtained for huge sums of money through smugglers. Tickets for Elton’s performance sold for 13 rubles, nearly 6.5 times more expensive than any other ticket at the time, and sold out almost immediately. And though the concert was a new experience for the Russian citizens, Elton was received with similar fanfare to his shows in the West.