emirates7 - Ziad Rahbani, the groundbreaking Lebanese composer, playwright, and musician known for his politically bold and socially conscious work that transformed Arab music and theater, passed away on Saturday at the age of 69, according to local media reports.
The son of two musical legends—singer Fairouz and composer Assi Rahbani—Ziad forged his own path from a young age, establishing a unique legacy.
A multi-talented artist—pianist, writer, satirist, and provocateur—Rahbani blended Western jazz with traditional Arabic music, laced his performances with sharp political satire, and elevated Lebanese theater into a platform for resistance and critical reflection.
His productions, including Bennesbeh La Bukra Chou? (As for Tomorrow, What?), Film Ameriki Taweel (A Long American Film), and Shi Fashel (Something Failed), became cornerstones of Arab counterculture. They fearlessly explored themes such as national identity, social injustice, war, and political dysfunction.
Rahbani was not just a composer; he was a keen observer of Lebanon’s fractured society, unafraid to challenge political power and question authority. His outspoken leftist views and staunch support for the Palestinian cause made him both widely respected and deeply controversial in a region where dissent often comes at a cost.
Born on January 1, 1956, he began composing for Fairouz while still in his teens, ushering in a more introspective and politically nuanced phase in her musical career. Over the decades, he became a lasting influence on generations of Arab creatives.
Though he had withdrawn from the public eye in recent years, Rahbani remained an influential and revered figure in Arab culture. His death sparked a wave of tributes from Lebanese media and artists across the region, mourning the passing of a powerful voice who seamlessly wove together music, politics, and satire.
The son of two musical legends—singer Fairouz and composer Assi Rahbani—Ziad forged his own path from a young age, establishing a unique legacy.
A multi-talented artist—pianist, writer, satirist, and provocateur—Rahbani blended Western jazz with traditional Arabic music, laced his performances with sharp political satire, and elevated Lebanese theater into a platform for resistance and critical reflection.
His productions, including Bennesbeh La Bukra Chou? (As for Tomorrow, What?), Film Ameriki Taweel (A Long American Film), and Shi Fashel (Something Failed), became cornerstones of Arab counterculture. They fearlessly explored themes such as national identity, social injustice, war, and political dysfunction.
Rahbani was not just a composer; he was a keen observer of Lebanon’s fractured society, unafraid to challenge political power and question authority. His outspoken leftist views and staunch support for the Palestinian cause made him both widely respected and deeply controversial in a region where dissent often comes at a cost.
Born on January 1, 1956, he began composing for Fairouz while still in his teens, ushering in a more introspective and politically nuanced phase in her musical career. Over the decades, he became a lasting influence on generations of Arab creatives.
Though he had withdrawn from the public eye in recent years, Rahbani remained an influential and revered figure in Arab culture. His death sparked a wave of tributes from Lebanese media and artists across the region, mourning the passing of a powerful voice who seamlessly wove together music, politics, and satire.