The prominent member of Lebanon’s artistic glory and history, Elias Rahbani, has passed away on Monday at the age of 83.
The Lebanese composer and musician’s cause of death is still not specified, but what’s sure is that the great artist left behind an abundance of well-loved music and popular theatrical creations.
Born in 1938, in Antelias, Lebanon, Elias Rahbani is one of the three legendary Rahbani brothers and is probably the most prolific in terms of recordings, leaving a huge mark on the musical landscape.
The artist, also a pianist and conductor, had a total of 6,500 works to his name. Songs, radio broadcasts, music for television films, various hymns, and more than 3,500 advertising jingles, an area in which he pioneered in the Middle East.
The musical adviser and chief of occidental music for Radio Lebanon, from 1962 until 1970, produced numerous recordings for labels like Philips, Parlophone, Polydor, Decca, Capitol, and S.L.D.
From “Ya Tair El Werwar”, sung by Lebanese icon Fayrouz, “Ya Helem Ya Lebnan” sung by Lebanese Soprano Majida El Roumi, to “Ho Capito Che Tiamo”, sung by Italian musician Jo Diverio, and more, Elias Rahbani permanently placed his imprint on the Lebanese musical scene from the 60s all the way to the 90s.
Even with all the tremendous talent of Elias Rahbani, his artistic fame was undoubtedly a little overshadowed by his brothers Assi and Mansour.
Elias Rahbani is the father of two musicians, Jad and Ghassan.
