Lydia Canaan facts for kids

Lydia Canaan (Arabic: ليديا كنعان) is a famous Lebanese singer and songwriter. She is also a humanitarian activist, working to help people around the world.

Lydia is known as the first Lebanese artist to become famous internationally. She became popular by singing rock music in English. This was special because she performed during the Lebanese Civil War. She even held concerts in places that were being bombed! People said she was "making a difference" in a country torn by war.

Lydia Canaan was also the first artist from the Middle East to sing only in English. Her music videos were shown on major TV channels like MTV Europe. Her start in music was seen as very brave. She broke old traditions and challenged ideas about what women could do. In 2015, her work was even added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's Library and Archives.

Life and Music

Early Life and Dreams

Lydia Canaan grew up in Brummana, Lebanon, during the Lebanese Civil War. Her family was Greek Orthodox Christian. She went to Brummana High School and later Lebanese American University.

From a young age, singing and writing songs helped Lydia deal with the difficult times. When she was eight, she won a poetry contest at her school. She wrote about a child who was sad about small things, like getting ink on her fingers.

Lydia's parents were traditional and did not want her to sing rock music. They also didn't let her have music lessons. But Lydia still learned to create melodies and English lyrics in her head. She remembered them without writing them down.

For her first show, Lydia had to sneak out. She threw her rock-style leather skirt out the window. She told her father she was going somewhere else. Then she changed into her stage clothes and sang her heart out.

Becoming a Rock Star

In 1984, when she was a teenager, Lydia joined a heavy metal band called Equation. She used the stage name Angel. The band had been looking for a male singer. But Lydia's talent and stage presence made her very popular with young people in Lebanon.

She started a trend with her look: leather outfits, dramatic capes, and long blonde-streaked hair. Her school even voted her "Best Dressed." A newspaper said she became a "role model" with her daring style. The band's concerts were huge, with over 15,000 fans. Lydia's first song, "Why All The Hurt," was a tribute to a friend who had passed away. It became a number one hit on the radio.

People were amazed that she could perform during the civil war. Tickets for her shows sold out quickly. She was called the first "rock star" of the Middle East. From 1984 to 1988, Lydia held over 25 sold-out concerts. She also recorded her songs for radio, even with the dangers of war. Her last concert with Equation was in 1986.

Solo Music Journey

In 1987, Lydia Canaan started her own solo career. She sang her own songs, like "To Oblivion and Back" and "Hey Richie." These songs also became hits on the radio.

As her music changed, she became even more famous. Even though Lebanon was occupied by Syria, Lydia performed in many cities. In Tripoli, she sang for a sold-out crowd with strong security. She had even received threats.

In 1987, Lydia performed for 20,000 people at the Beirut Rock Festival. In 1988, she had three sold-out concerts at Casino du Liban. She was the last performer there before it closed for a while due to the war.

Reaching the World

Lydia's success around the world was big news in Arab countries. In 1989, she moved to Zurich, Switzerland. There, she became a Swiss citizen and took singing lessons.

In 1991, Lydia started working with David Richards, who produced music for bands like Queen. She also signed a contract to write and record her songs.

"Beautiful Life"

In 1995, Lydia Canaan changed her stage name from Angel to her real name. She released a pop song called "Beautiful Life." This song brought her international fame. She went on a tour in England, and her song played on radios in many countries.

Lydia performed "Beautiful Life" at the launch of MTV Europe in Beirut. MTV Europe called her "the diva from the Middle East." The head of MTV Europe said they loved Lydia and her music.

Other Songs

In 2000, Lydia sang a duet called "Guardian Angel" with Robin Scott. It was on the album Famous Last Words.

Her second single, "The Sound of Love," was released in 1997. Her first album, also called The Sound of Love, came out in 2000. It included a song with Tommy Mandel. This album was sold in many Middle Eastern countries. Lydia performed concerts in places like Beirut and Dubai to support the album.

In 2004, her song "Libnan" was chosen for a CNN advertisement. It was used to promote Lebanon as a place for tourists. In 2014, her song "Never Set You Free" was a semi-finalist in a UK songwriting contest.

Helping Others

Activism

In 2014, Lydia Canaan became a United Nations delegate. She worked for a center that helps victims of torture.

• On March 17, 2014, Lydia gave a speech called "Islamophobia and Art." She talked about fighting prejudice against Muslims through art. She received applause for her speech.
• On June 17, 2014, she spoke about ending unfair imprisonment in a speech called "Hostage to Injustice." She received a standing ovation.
• On March 13, 2015, Lydia spoke out against torture in her speech "Humane Evolution."
• On November 3, 2015, she gave a speech criticizing governments for not following human rights recommendations. She even sang a part of her song "Humanity Wake Up and Fight."
• On March 18, 2016, Lydia gave a speech defending innocent people affected by anti-terrorism efforts.
• On March 14, 2017, she spoke about the persecution of religious minorities in the Middle East. She became emotional during her speech.

Humanitarian Work

• In 2001, Lydia performed at a United Nations event in Beirut. She received an award for her humanitarian work.
• In 2014 and 2015, she took part in forums to support Palestinian prisoners.

Lydia supports many groups that help people. These include Human Rights Watch and War Child Holland-Lebanon.

Charity Work

Lydia has always given her money, music, and time to charities. She especially helps charities for children, animals, and the elderly. She has given money to hospitals and performed at many charity events.

Her song, "Beautiful Life," was chosen by South African President Nelson Mandela. It became the theme song for a charity event in South Africa.

Supporting Animals

Lydia Canaan is a strong supporter of animal welfare and animal rights. She helps organizations like the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Beirut for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (BETA).

Public Speaking

• In 2001, Lydia was invited to speak at the American Community School in Beirut.
• In 2014, she gave a speech called "It's About Time, My Country." She spoke in support of the Lebanese Armed Forces on Independence Day.

In Film and Books

Film

In 2014, Lydia was interviewed for a documentary film series. It was made by the Global Sorority Foundation. She was seen as a great example for young girls to overcome challenges and promote gender equality.

Literature

American author Robert W. McGee mentioned Lydia's songs in his novels. Her music was also referenced in his book series The Iraqi Girl Trilogy. In these books, characters often risk their lives to listen to Lydia Canaan's music.

In 2017, British journalist Orlando Crowcroft wrote about Lydia in his book Rock in a Hard Place: Music and Mayhem in the Middle East. The book talks about the dangers she faced as a rock music pioneer in Lebanon.

Awards and Recognition

Honors

Lydia Canaan with Lebanese President Emile Lahoud at the Presidential Palace, Baabda, Lebanon, 2002

Lydia Canaan has been honored by important people in Lebanon.

• On January 16, 2002, she met with Lebanese President Emile Lahoud. He thanked her for her dedication to her country.
• On January 28, 2002, she met with the First Lady of Lebanon, Andree Lahoud. The First Lady admired Lydia for showing a positive side of Lebanon's culture.
• On March 21, 2002 (Mother's Day), Lydia performed at the Presidential Palace. This was for a special ceremony honoring the wives of fallen soldiers.

Awards

Lydia Canaan has received several awards for her music and humanitarian work:

• 1988: Scoop d'Or Award from Scoop magazine.
• 1997: Lebanese International Success Award from the Lebanese Ministry of Tourism.
• 2001: International Year of Volunteers Award from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
• 2014: Lebanese Army Award from the Lebanese Armed Forces.
• 2014: UK Songwriting Contest Semi-finalist Award.
• 2016: Silver Medal for Outstanding Achievement from Global Music Awards.

Music Videos and Performances

Music Videos

• Hey Richie (1988): Shown on LBCI and NBC Europe.
• Beautiful Life (1995): Filmed in London, England, at a castle.
• The Sound of Love (1997): Filmed at a palace in England.

Concert Videos

• Live in Concert at Casino du Liban (1988): Shows Lydia Canaan performing live as Angel.

Speeches

Lydia's powerful speeches at the United Nations have also been recorded:

• Hostage to Injustice (2014): Her speech at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
• Fighting Terrorism Without Violating Human Rights (2016): Another speech at the UN Human Rights Council, streamed live on YouTube.
• Global Effects of the Persecution of Religious Minorities in the Middle East (2017): A very emotional speech at the UN Human Rights Council.

Music Albums

Studio Albums

• The Sound of Love
  • Released: 2000
  • Label: SIDI/XEMA
  • Format: CD

Singles

Lydia Canaan has released many singles throughout her career:

• 1985: "The Sound of Equation"
• 1986: "Why All the Hurt?", "To Oblivion and Back"
• 1987: "The Hope Song", "Does It Need Some Action?", "A Hard Situation"
• 1988: "And You Call Me", "Hey Richie"
• 1989: "The Christmas Wish", "Me and Little Andy" (a cover song)
• 1995: "Beautiful Life"
• 1997: "The Sound of Love"
• 2000: "Guardian Angel"
• 2004: "Libnan"
• 2014: "Shine", "Fallin'" (Remix), "Love", "So Much to Give", "Gimme Some Truth" (a cover song), "Never Set You Free"
• 2017: "Desire", "Never Never Never" (a cover song), "Fallin'", "Love is Blind", "Everybody's Running After a Dream", "Wish I Could Fly"
• 2018: "Bless Me, Bless You"

Images for kids

• 

  Lydia Canaan at the United Nations MY World partners awards ceremony, UN Headquarters, New York City, 2014

See also

• List of women's firsts
• Music history
• Women in music
• List of animal rights advocates
• List of peace activists