Sabah (singer) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sabah صباح
Sabah in the 1960s
Background information
Birth name	Jeanette Georges Feghali جانيت جرجس فغالي
Also known as	Shahruret-el Wadi (Arabic: شحرورة الوادي, meaning the "Songbird of the Valley", based upon her region of origin, Wadi Chahrour also called Ourrouar)
Born	(1927-11-10)10 November 1927 Bdadoun, Greater Lebanon
Died	26 November 2014(2014-11-26) (aged 87) Beirut, Lebanon
Genres	Arabic music, Traditional
Occupation(s)	Singer, actress
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1943–2014

Sabah (Arabic: صباح Ṣabāḥ; born Janet Gerges Feghali; 10 November 1927 – 26 November 2014) was a famous Lebanese singer and actress. She was known for her many Egyptian movies and songs. Sabah was one of the first Arab singers to perform in famous places. These included the Olympia in Paris and Carnegie Hall in New York. She also sang at the Royal Albert Hall in London and the Sydney Opera House in Australia.

Early Life and Beginnings

Sabah was born into a Maronite Christian family. Her birthplace was Bdadoun in Aley, Lebanon. She was the third of three daughters in her family. Sabah started singing when she was very young. Her first song was released in Lebanon in 1940. She was only 13 years old at that time.

A Star is Born

Sabah on the cover of Al Chabaka Magazine, April 1965

In the early 1940s, Sabah moved to Egypt. There, she acted in her first movie, El-Qalb Luh Wahid. This film was released in 1945. It made her famous across the region. After this movie, she became known by her character's name, Sabah. This name means "morning" in Arabic. People also gave her loving nicknames like "Chahroura," which means "songbird." They also called her "Ustura" (legend) and "Sabbouha."

Sabah became a big star even though many other great Arab singers were already famous. Some of these singers were Umm Kulthum and Fairuz.

Sabah's Amazing Career

Sabah starred in 98 films during her career. Some of her most popular movies include The Night is Ours (1949) and My Father Deceived Me (1951). She also appeared in That's What Love Is (1961) and Soft Hands (1963). In The Second Man (1959), she played a singer seeking revenge.

Sabah with Salah Zulfikar in Paris and Love (1972)

She also sang at weddings in Lebanon during the Lebanese Civil War. In the 1990s, a documentary about her life was made. It was called "The Journey of My Life."

Sabah had a very successful music career too. She recorded more than 3,000 songs. She worked with famous composers like Mohammed Abdel Wahab. She was especially good at a Lebanese folk style called the mawwal. Her most famous songs include "Zay el-Assal" and "Akhadou el-Reeh." Sabah released over 50 music albums.

Sabah was known for her youthful energy and joyful performances. She became a symbol of happiness and good times in the Arab world. She continued to perform on TV and in concerts until 2009. She even worked with singer Rola Saad to remake some of her old hits. In 2010, Sabah retired from performing due to an illness.

Sabah's Personal Life

Sabah held passports from four different countries. These were Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan, and the United States. She married many times throughout her life. Her first marriage was to Najib Chammas when she was 18. She later married famous people like Egyptian actor Rushdy Abaza. She also married Egyptian musician Anwar Mansy and Lebanese politician Youssef Hammoud. Her marriage to Lebanese artist Fadi Lubnan lasted 17 years. Her last marriage was to Joseph Gharib in 2013.

Sabah had two children. Her daughter, Sabah Chammas, became a medical doctor. Her son, Howayda Mansy, became a singer and actress. Both of her children live in the United States. Sabah's niece, Jandira Feghali, is a congresswoman in Brazil. Her brother, Ricardo Feghali, is a musician in the band Roupa Nova.

After selling her large house, Sabah moved to live in hotels in Lebanon. She enjoyed living there, overlooking Beirut and the Mediterranean Sea.

Sabah in Beirut in 2007

The Passing of a Legend

Sabah passed away on November 26, 2014. She was 87 years old. Before she died, there were rumors about her death. Sabah found these rumors amusing. She said, "Even in my death, I'm making people busy."

She died peacefully at her home in Hotel Brazilia. Her family shared the sad news. Sabah had wished that people would not be sad at her funeral. She wanted them to dance the Dabkeh. She said, "I've lived enough." Her hairdresser, Joseph Gharib, said she loved wearing red lipstick in her last days.

On November 30, 2014, thousands of people came to say goodbye to Sabah. Her family, Lebanese officials, and many Arab guests gathered. They went to St. George Cathedral in Beirut. Outside the cathedral, the Lebanese Army band played the national anthem. Then, they played many of Sabah's songs. This was the first time this had happened in Lebanon's history. Fans clapped and sang along to her music. Dancers in traditional clothes performed to her songs.

Sabah mural on the Assaf building in Hamra Street, Beirut

Sabah's coffin was covered with a flag. A large picture of her as a young woman was placed near the altar. After the church service, mourners carried her coffin. People clapped, threw flowers, and took pictures. Sabah's body was taken through many towns. She was buried in the church of her hometown, Bdadoun.

Sabah's Lasting Legacy

In 2011, a TV show called Al Shahrourah was made about her life. Actress Carole Samaha played Sabah. Sabah liked the show and was happy it was successful. She only pointed out a few small things that were not quite accurate.

A museum is being built in her village, Bdadoun. It will display her personal letters, dresses, and old photographs. Her music is now taught in music classes in Lebanon.

In 2015, artists created large murals of Sabah on buildings in Beirut. These murals honored her for being brave and challenging old traditions. They showed how she brought people together in Lebanon. On November 10, 2017, Google celebrated her 90th birthday with a special Google Doodle. Her song "Saat Saat" was also featured in an episode of the Marvel TV series Moon Knight.

Awards and Achievements

Sabah received many honors during her life.

• In 2004, she was honored at the Alexandria Song Festival.
• She was also honored at the Cairo Film Festival in 2004.
• That same year, a statue of her was made in Beirut.
• In 2010, she received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Dubai International Film Festival.
• The Lebanese Republic honored her many times. She received the National Order of the Cedar medal.

Works by Sabah

Sabah had an amazing career with many works. She released over 50 albums. She acted in 98 movies and more than 20 stage plays. She had a reported collection of over 3,500 songs.

Selected Filmography

• 1986 Ayyam El Lulu (Days Of The Lulu)
• 1972 Paris wal Hob (Paris and Love)
• 1970 Kanet Ayyam (It Were Days)
• 1970 Nar El Shoq (Fire Of Longing)
• 1969 Easabet El Nesa (Gang Of Women)
• 1968 Thalath Nesaa (Three Women)
• 1966 Mawwal El Aqdam El Zahabiyyah (Popular Song Of Golden Feet)
• 1963 El Aydi el naema (The Soft Hands)
• 1963 El Motamaradah (The Chase)
• 1961 El Hob Keda (That's What Love Is)
• 1961 Goz merti (Husband Of My Wife)
• 1960 El Ragol El Thani (The Second Man)
• 1959 El Ataba El Khadra (The Green Threshold)
• 1958 Shari' El Hobb (Love Street)
• 1958 Sallem Al Habayib (Say Hello To Lovers)
• 1956 Izayy Ansak (How To Forget You)
• 1956 Wahabtak Hayati (I Gave You My Life)
• 1954 Khataf merati (He Kidnapped My Wife)
• 1953 Lahn Hobbi (Melody Of My Heart)
• 1953 Zalamuni El Habayib (Were Unjust To Me, The Lovers)
• 1951 Khada'ni Abi (My Father Deceived Me)
• 1950 Ana Satuta (I'm Sattutah)
• 1949 Al lailu lana (The Night is Ours)
• 1948 Sabah El kher (Good Morning)
• 1947 Albi W Sefi (My Heart And My Sword)
• 1947 lebnani Fi El gam'ah (Lebanese In University)

Selected Discography

See also

In Spanish: Sabah Fighali para niños