Nowadays Englis is international language. So, many russains to master English for work with foreign companies. Also English needed for people, who want to travel or to leave from Russia.
a few centuries ago Englsnd had economic superiority and had colonies worldwide. So, now English is the international language.
russian pop band want be like top american groups because americans groups popular in the world. I think many people know who is Eminem, but who know who is Prohor Shalyapin?