Who is Ziad Rahbani? All about icon Fayrouz's son as he dies at 69

Ziad Rahbani, a well-known figure in Lebanon's cultural world, passed away on Saturday (July 26) at the age of 69, according to The National News Agency. The reason for his death is still not known.

Rahbani got famous in the 1970s by transforming music and theater. He was a key voice in the Arabian world and also known for his strong and moving works.

National leaders honor Rahbani as a voice for justice and culture

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun paid tribute to Ziad Rahbani, calling it a big loss for the nation. In a formal note, President Aoun spoke of Rahbani as more than a fine artist. He saw him as a deep mind and a mark of culture. He said Rahbani's work spoke out strongly against injustice and showed the struggles within society. President Joseph Aoun noted that Rahbani acted as a voice for the people, standing for what is right and supporting those who were often forgotten.

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam also paid tribute. He described him as a free voice who was always on the side of truth, justice, and honor. 

Meet Ziad Rahbani

Ziad Rahbani was born in 1956 in Antelias, Lebanon. He is the first son of the well-known Lebanese singer Fayrouz and the late Assi Rahbani. Ziad grew up in a family full of well-known artists and showed his talent at an early age.

He made his first artistic piece at 17 with the play Nazl el-Sourour. Rahbani often dealt with big topics like class differences and losing faith in politics, themes he kept in his later works like Bennesbeh Labokra Chou?. His team-ups with the great singer Fayrouz in the 1970s and 1980s made him even more well-known.

He was raised with music, plays, and a deep understanding of the world, which made his skills rich. His mother, a big star in the Arabian world, sang many of his songs. These pieces mix old Lebanese ways and Western sounds, making Ziad famous in music.

Rahbani added strong political messages to his music and plays. He was inspired by jazz legends like Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. His style mixed Lebanese sounds with Western music. Using jazz, funk, and classical touches, his work showed the struggles of a country affected by war, power struggles, and religious divisions.

Even with pushback from traditional minds, Rahbani's unique style of art has left a mark across many ages. His plays and music are still seen and heard in new protest actions.