Fairuz facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Fairuz
فيروز
Fairuz in 2001
Born	Nouhad Wadie Haddad (1934-11-21) November 21, 1934 (age 90) or 1935 (age 89) Beirut, French Lebanon
Occupation	Singer actress
Spouse(s)	Assi Rahbani ​ ​ (m. 1955; died 1986)​
Children	4, including Ziad
Family	see below
Musical career
Genres	Arabic music Lebanese music
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1950–present
Labels	EMI Virgin Voix de l'Orient Fayrouz Productions

Fairuz (born Nouhad Wadie Haddad, November 21, 1934 or 1935) is a famous Lebanese singer. Many people see her as an amazing singer and one of the most celebrated voices in the history of the Arab world. She is often called "The Bird of the East" or "The Voice of Lebanon".

Fairuz started her music journey as a teenager. She sang in a choir at the national radio station in Lebanon in the late 1940s. Her first big hit, "Itab," came out in 1952. This song quickly made her a star across the Arab world.

In 1957, Fairuz performed live for the first time at the Baalbeck International Festival. There, she received the "Cavalier" honor. This was the highest award for artistic achievement from the Lebanese president. Her fame grew throughout the 1950s and 1960s. She performed in many Arab capitals like Damascus, Amman, and Cairo.

Fairuz has received many awards from different countries. These include Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and France. She has performed in famous places around the world. These include Albert Hall in London and Carnegie Hall in New York. She also sang at the Olympia in Paris.

Over more than sixty years, Fairuz has recorded nearly 1500 songs. She has released over 80 albums and performed in 20 musicals. She has sold over 150 million records worldwide. This makes her one of the best-selling Middle Eastern artists ever.

Fairuz's Early Life

Fairuz in 1945

Nouhad Haddad was born in Beirut on November 20, 1934 or 1935. Her family was Syriac Orthodox and Maronite Christian. Her father, Wadie, was from Mardin, a city that was part of Ottoman Syria. He moved to Lebanon to escape the Assyrian genocide. He worked as a typesetter in a print shop. Her mother, Lisa al-Boustani, was from a village called Dibbiyeh. The family later moved to a small home in Beirut. They lived in one room and shared a kitchen with their neighbors.

By age ten, Nouhad was known at school for her amazing singing voice. She often sang during school shows and on holidays. In February 1950, Mohammed Flayfel, a famous musician, saw her perform. He was very impressed by her voice. He told her to join the Lebanese Conservatory. At first, her father did not want her to go. But her uncle convinced him, and she went with her brother.

Fairuz's Music Career

Starting Her Journey in Music

Mohammed Flayfel took a special interest in Nouhad's talent. He taught her how to control her voice and sing poetry. During an audition, Halim el Roumi heard her sing. He was the head of the Lebanese radio station. Roumi was amazed by her voice. He saw that she could sing in both Arabic and Western styles.

Nouhad asked to be a chorus singer at the radio station. Roumi agreed and paid her twenty-one U.S. dollars a month. He also wrote several songs for her. He gave her the stage name Fairuz, which means turquoise in Arabic.

Soon after, Fairuz met the Rahbani brothers, Assi and Mansour. They were also musicians at the radio station. They quickly became a great team. Assi started writing songs for Fairuz. One of these songs was "Itab," which became a huge hit. It made Fairuz one of the most important Arab singers of her time.

Fairuz became famous during a special time for Arabic music. Her voice became a symbol of Lebanese pop culture in the 20th century. She sang about many topics, from love to patriotism. Her music mixed Western and Arab sounds. It often had a sad and nostalgic feeling. Experts describe her voice as clear and flexible. It was different from the usual singing style in Arab music.

Becoming a Star in the 1950s

Fairuz's first big concert was in 1957. It was part of the Baalbeck International Festival. She performed in the "Lebanese Nights" section. She was paid one Lebanese pound for that show. Fairuz and the Rahbani brothers became regular performers at this festival. They performed there almost every year until the civil war.

Their early performances were small skits. Later, they became full musical shows called operettas. Fairuz became even more famous. She and other Arab artists sang about the Palestinian cause. They created many patriotic songs for them.

Growing Fame in the 1960s and 1970s

Fairuz performing in 1971

Fairuz and the Rahbani brothers changed Lebanese music. They added Western sounds to their songs. Before them, Lebanese music often followed the longer Egyptian style. The trio created shorter, three-minute songs in the Lebanese dialect. These songs told stories. People loved this new style. Beirut was changing quickly, and many people wanted modern music.

This new music helped shape the modern Lebanese identity. It also made big contributions to oriental music history. Their songs often talked about local and regional issues. By the 1960s, Fairuz was known as the "First Lady of Lebanese singing." The Rahbani brothers wrote hundreds of songs for her. They also created many operettas and three movies.

In 1971, Fairuz became famous around the world. She went on a big tour in North America. Arab-American and American audiences loved her concerts. Fairuz has performed in many countries. These include Syria, Jordan, Egypt, France, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

In 1972, Assi Rahbani had a brain hemorrhage. Fans gathered outside the hospital to pray for him. After three surgeries, he got better. Ziad Rahbani, Fairuz and Assi's son, was 17. He gave his mother music for a new song. His uncle Mansour wrote new words for it. The song was called "Saalouni n'Nass" ("The People Asked Me"). It was about Fairuz performing without Assi for the first time. Assi even attended the first show of that musical, Al Mahatta.

Fairuz in the 1970s

In 1978, the trio toured Europe and the Persian Gulf. They performed at the Paris Olympia. Assi's health got worse because of their busy schedule. Assi Rahbani passed away in 1986. Even though they were no longer married, his family and Fairuz were very important in Lebanon. During his funeral, fighting in Beirut stopped. This allowed the funeral procession to travel safely. After this, Fairuz started working mostly with her son, Ziad Rahbani.

During the Lebanese Civil War, Fairuz's fame grew even more. Unlike many other famous people, she stayed in Lebanon. She did not hold many concerts there. One exception was the musical Petra in 1978. It was performed in both parts of the divided Beirut. The war lasted fifteen years and caused much sadness. During this time, Fairuz became a very important Lebanese figure.

She and the Rahbani brothers often sang against the war. They refused to pick sides. This made them popular with all Lebanese people. Fairuz became a voice for peace and unity. She was more than just a singer to the Lebanese. She represented Lebanon itself. She brought stability during a time of great trouble.

New Music in the 1980s

After 1979, Fairuz started working with her son, Ziad Rahbani. She also worked with lyricist Joseph Harb and composer Philemon Wahbi. Ziad Rahbani helped Fairuz's music change. He moved away from the old folk style. He and Fairuz explored a more modern sound, like jazz and funk.

Fairuz appeared on French TV in 1988. She had a concert planned in Paris. French Minister of Culture Jack Lang gave Fairuz an award. The show included videos of her past movies and concerts. Fairuz also sang three songs.

Her first CD, The Very Best of Fairuz, was released in 1987. It included the famous song "Aatini al Nay wa ghanni." This song was based on a poem by Khalil Gibran.

Fairuz Today: 1990s to Now

In the 1990s, Fairuz released six albums. She also held many big concerts. One important concert was in Beirut's Martyr's Square in 1994. This concert celebrated the rebuilding of the city center after the civil war. She also performed at the Baalbeck International Festival in 1998. This was her first time back in 25 years.

In 1992, Madonna used parts of Fairuz's songs without permission. They settled the issue, and Madonna's album was not allowed in Lebanon.

Fairuz also performed in Las Vegas in 1999. Over 16,000 people, mostly Arabs, came to see her. Since then, Fairuz has had many sold-out concerts. She has performed in Lebanon, Kuwait, Paris, the United States, and other places.

Her first album of the new century, Wala Keef, came out in 2002.

In 2008, Fairuz performed at the Damascus Opera House. It was an emotional return to Syria. She played the main role in the musical Sah el-Nom (Good Morning). This was part of events for Damascus being named the Capital of Arab Culture. The BBC said that her voice was heard across Syria every day. Syrian historian Sami Moubayed said Syrians were thrilled. They felt Fairuz reminded them of "the good old days."

Fairuz's new album, Eh... Fi Amal, was released in 2010. Her son Ziad Rahbani wrote all the songs. She also had two concerts in Beirut.

In 2017, Fairuz released her album Bebalee. Her daughter Rima Rahbani released the first song, "Lameen." This song was a tribute to Fairuz's late husband, Assi Rahbani.

On September 1, 2020, French president Emmanuel Macron visited Fairuz at her home. This was during his trip to Lebanon after the Beirut explosion.

How Fairuz Performs

Fairuz has performed in many countries. These include Syria, Jordan, Egypt, France, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

When she performs, Fairuz is known for being very calm and serious. She says she sings as if she is praying. People describe her as quiet and modest, like a mother. She represents the Lebanese woman at home.

Fairuz's Family Life

Fairuz and Assi Rahbani surrounded by members of their families on their wedding day in 1955

Not much is known about Fairuz's private life. She keeps her personal life separate from her public image.

Fairuz was born into a Syriac Orthodox and Maronite Christian family. She changed to Greek Orthodoxy when she married Assi Rahbani in 1955. Assi was one of the Rahbani brothers who helped her music career. They got married in Beirut.

Fairuz and Assi had four children:

• Ziad (born 1956), who is a composer and musician.
• Hali (born 1958), who became paralyzed as a child.
• Layal (born 1960), who passed away in 1988.
• Rima (born 1965), who is a photographer and film director.

Fairuz's Musical Plays

Most of the works by Fairuz and the Rahbani brothers were musical plays. The Rahbani Brothers created 25 popular musical plays. Fairuz starred in 20 of them. They are known for creating world-class Arabic musical theater.

These musicals combined stories, songs, and dialogue. The music included Lebanese folk styles, classical, and Western sounds. Fairuz sang and acted in the main roles. Other singers and actors also performed with her.

The Rahbani plays often showed love for their country. They also talked about lost love and missing village life. They included comedy, drama, and even politics. The songs Fairuz sang in these plays became very popular. People in Lebanon and around the world loved them.

Here are some of the musicals Fairuz performed in:

• Ayyam al Hassad (Days of Harvest – 1957)
• Al 'Urs fi l’Qarya (The Wedding in the Village – 1959)
• Al Ba'albakiya (The Girl from Baalbek – 1961)
• Jisr el Amar (Bridge of the Moon – 1962)
• Al Layl wal Qandil (The Night and the Lantern – 1963)
• Biyya'el Khawatem (Ring Salesman – 1964)
• Ayyam Fakhreddine (The Days of Fakhreddine – 1966)
• Hala wal Malik (Hala and the King – 1967)
• Jibal Al Sawwan (Sawwan Mountains – 1969)
• Ya'ich Ya'ich (Long Live, Long Live – 1970)
• Sah Ennawm (Did you sleep well? – 1970–1971)
• Nass min Wara' (People Made out of Paper – 1971–1972)
• Natourit al Mafatih (The Guardian of the Keys – 1972)
• Al Mahatta (The Station – 1973)
• Loulou – 1974
• Mais el Reem (The Deer's Meadow – 1975)
• Petra – 1977–1978

Many of these musical plays were recorded. Eighteen of them have been released as audio CDs. Two are available on DVD.

Awards and Recognition

For many years, radio stations in the Arab world have started their day with a Fairuz song. Her songs were very popular during the Lebanese Civil War. People listened to her patriotic songs about peace and love. The Guardian newspaper said she "sang the story of a Lebanon that never really existed." They also said she helped build Lebanon's identity. Fairuz is highly respected in Lebanese culture. She is a symbol of unity in a region with many conflicts.

In 1997, Billboard magazine called her "the supreme Diva of Lebanon." In 1999, The New York Times described her as "a living icon without equal." They said her rise as a singer happened as Lebanon became a vibrant cultural center.

In 2008, the BBC called her "the legendary Lebanese singer and greatest living Arab diva." The Independent newspaper said that all young female singers in the region seem to copy her. They called her a very important artist.

Fairuz has received many awards. These include:

• The Key to the Holy City (from Jerusalem in 1973).
• The Jordanian Medal of Honor (from King Hussein in 1975).
• The Jerusalem Award (from the Palestinian Authority).
• The Highest Artistic Distinction (from Tunisia in 1998).
• Knight of the National Order of the Cedar (Lebanon).
• Commander of Arts and Letters (from French president François Mitterrand in 1988).
• Knight of the Legion of Honor (from French president Jacques Chirac in 1998).

Fairuz in Film and TV

Movies

Television Shows

Fairuz has also appeared in these Lebanese TV programs:

• Al Iswara (The Bracelet)
• Day'it El Aghani (Village of Songs)
• Layali As'Saad (Nights of Happiness)
• Al Quds fil Bal (Jerusalem in my Mind)
• Dafater El Layl (Night Memoirs)
• Maa Al Hikayat (With Stories)
• Sahret Hobb (Romantic Evening)
• Qasidat Hobb (A Love Poem)

Fairuz's Music Albums

Fairuz has a very large collection of songs. Some sources say she has between 1,500 and 3,000 songs.

About 85 Fairuz CDs, vinyl records, and cassettes have been officially released. Most of these songs were written by the Rahbani brothers. Other composers like Philemon Wehbe and Ziad Rahbani also wrote songs for her.

Many of Fairuz's songs from the 1950s and 1960s have not been released. There are also unreleased songs by other composers.

Fairuz also released a live album in 1994 called Lebanon: The Baalbek Folk Festival.

Images for kids

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  Fairuz in 2001

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  Fairuz in 1945

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  Fairuz performing in 1971

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  Fairuz in the 1970s

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  Fairuz and Assi Rahbani on their wedding day in 1955

See Also

In Spanish: Fairuz para niños

• Lydia Canaan
• Rahbani brothers
• Wadih El Safi
• Zahrat al-Mada'en
• Ziad Rahbani