Classics: Fairuz

There is an iconic slew of voices which highlighted the classic decades of music in the Arab world. These eternal voices have retained a legendary status in the minds and hearts of generations across the region. Their legacy stays alive thanks to a constant nostalgia and an ever relevant music catalogue. In this series we take a closer look at what made these voices legendary through the years…

In the first installment of the series, we take a look at the impressive and historical life of the “Ambassador to the Stars” – Fairuz. The legendary singer is a constant in almost every Arab-family households, Fairuz morning hours are a popular segment on radio stations across the region and her signature songs are known by the young and old alike.

Fairuz started off her career when she meet the Rahbani brother (Assi and Marwan). This trio, created a new musical direction and school which combined the best of classical western musical aesthetics with traditional Arabic music compositions. This ‘school’ has influenced many a musician in the region and still does until this day.

Following the dissolution of this successful trio, Fairuz continued to work with the brilliant musician Ziad Al Rahbani (her son). Ziad’s composition added a modern touch to Fairuz’s legacy without tempering with her status.

Fairuz’s legend was signified by her strong yet passionate vocals and performances which succeeded in what a lot failed in – reaching the entirety of the region in a way that hasn’t been matched yet.

Her critical success was matched by an enormous commercial success, as her works sold over 80 million copies worldwide. Her amazing successes weren’t related to sheer luck, but are credited to a stream of quality recordings which tackled subjects from romance to nationalism and history. Fairuz’s voice has truly been and always be a bond that connected the region from its eastern shores to the western Sahara’s.

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