Aldo (musician)

Infobox actor
name = Aldo


caption = 'Yalla-Let's Dance' Album Cover
birthname =
birthdate = birth date and age|df=yes|1960|11|23
location = Perth, Western Australia
yearsactive = 1994 ─ present
deathdate =
deathplace =
height = 6' 0" (1.83 m)
spouse = Bernadette
former spouses =
children = Jason, Aaron and Daniel
othername =
homepage = http://aldo2008.100webspace.net
notable role =
academyawards =
emmyawards =

Aldo (born in Perth, Western Australia, 23 November 1960) is an Australian born singer and songwriter, best known for his work in the Middle-Eastern music genre known as a Franco-Arabic music. Aldo rose to become a leading, popular artist in the Arabic and World Music scene in his special brand of 'West meets East' "Franco Arabic" music, charting in most countries of the Middle East through the mid 90's with one of the Middle East's largest record labels, Music Master.

The Music

His popularity was underscored by the success of his second album 'Yalla' from which came three major chart hits. Aldo is seen, along with artists such as Dalida, as a leading pioneer in this "West meets East" form of Arabic music. Fact|date=August 2008 The term 'Franco Arabic' is a termed used to describe a special crossover relationship between Western and Middle Eastern styles in areas ranging from business relationships to the world of entertainment. The famous Egyptian actor Omar Sharif is often described as a 'Franco Arabic' actor.

Background

Born In Perth, Western Australia, Aldo was born of European parents. His father immigrated to Australia from Italy and his mother (who also immigrated to Australia at around the same time) immigrated from Germany. From early in life Aldo was into music from playing instruments such as the piano accordion and guitar through to learning to sing at school. It was during his teenage years that Aldo discovered his love for singing and performing working with local hometown bands such as the teenage rock and roll band called 'Nautilus' and the Italian cabaret bands 'Diablos' and 'Rivali'. Influences in music were a family affair. Aldo's father was a notable operatic baritone who was once offered a place in the famous La Scala Opera Company of Milan. Aldo too became interested in opera. In his late teenage years he joined the Western Australian Opera Company under the then director Gerald Krug. At the same time he took opera singing lessons to help further develop his vocal ability. This led him to perform in many different arenas including on stage operas and operettas. This era is credited with providing the performance confidence and mix of cultural styles that ultimately would lead to his Middle-Eastern success.Fact|date=August 2008

The Arabic Connection

In 1984, Aldo married. His wife (still married) Bernadette is of Egyptian birth. It wasn't long before Aldo became involved in the Middle Eastern culture and fascinated by it. So began his Middle-Eastern connection. As a performer Aldo performed in many concerts, private functions and community related events throughout the middle east and he made many friends and contacts during this period. He also became involved with community projects for the local Arabic migrant communities in Australia. In a signature concert, his last in his hometown, Aldo performed in the City of Perth Festival in his own concert in Forest Chase in 1997

The Radio Years

As a result of this community contact and involvement Aldo got involved with (and headed) the local Arabic language broadcaster 'Arabic Radio' in the late 1980s and throughout most of the 1990s. The success of the Arabic Radio programmes surprised many but no one more than Aldo who initially spoke no Arabic yet still managed to coordinate and bring the shows together. The Franco-Arabic influence began to emerge during that time and his career began to navigate in a whole new direction. The success of the 'Arabic Radio' programme has been largely credited to the popularity it gained through bridging the gap between the migrated Arabic population and their "New Australian" offspring, who were attracted by the Western influence into a normally very traditional and stylized Arabic media form. This was the hallmark of the influence known throughout the Arabic world as the Franco Araby or Franco Arabic style.

Arabic Music – The Franco-Arabic Sound

It was during the period that Aldo was with Arabic Radio in Western Australia that he was invited to sing at an Arabic community function. He happily accepted but had second thoughts when he was asked to sing at least one song in Arabic. After some coaxing from friend (and future musical collaborator) Richard Elhaj, he accepted the challenge and performed the song 'Mayal' by Amr Diab, one of Egypt s leading pop stars of the time. While he could not speak Arabic, he was coached into learning the song 'parrot fashion' by his friends, family and colleagues. The performance was a hit and led to offers to make a demo recording of some material that was written for him after the performance. Clearly having enjoyed the demo experience, Aldo went on to record further material with the support of lyric and music writers from the local community who also assisted in the creation process for his early material. In 1995, Aldo received offers from two record companies in the Middle East to join their labels, one in Egypt and one in Saudi Arabia. Aldo's newly appointed management team decided to accept the proposal from Music Master of Saudi Arabia, a decision he was to say later was perhaps a hasty one due to his more natural personal affinity with Egypt.

Recording Releases

Under the Music Master label Aldo had his first Middle East release of 'Mish Momkin' in late 1995. The single went to number three on the Arabic Singles Charts ahead of major artists at the time such as Amr Diab, Fairuz, Majida El Roumi, Hisham Abbas, Moustafa Amar and many other well known stars who also had new releases out at the time. In early 1996 the next hit 'Yalla-Let's Dance' did the same on the charts. The Aldo phenomenon was born. A 'Westerner' singing in Arabic. The next three years were what Aldo himself describes as a 'golden time' for his music.

Album: Yalla Let's Dance:

Songs: Mish Momkin, Yalla- Let's Dance, Esma, Madhina, Min Gherik Enti, Sahraan, Le Shatra

Album: Assef Habebti:

Songs: Sorry My Love, Assef Ana Assef, Enta Keda, Ta'amel Eh?, Izzayek, Assef Habebti, Oumi Tanaros, Ya Moustafa

Album: A Tear in My Heart (A Song for Palestine)

Success

The video clips and promotion for Aldo made a big impact throughout the Arabic world with TV appearances and coverage across the globe. However, in private the impact was not always as smooth. Aldo's family commitments and a falling out with Music Master Records, saw Aldo complete his last project for some time back in 1997. That project was the writing and recording of the title song for the Australian-Arabic movie production 'Assef Habebti' -(Sorry my Love). The song 'Sorry My Love' was an instant hit with fans but instead of using this to continue his success he chose to retreat from the spotlight and spend the time with his family and his business interests. The impact of his music contribution however, had already been profound and permanent. Many artists have emulated the styles incorporated in Aldo's music and it has allowed a new feel to enter the Arabic popular music scene since the mid 90's.

Aldo stands until today as the ONLY singer from Australia to have made such an impact in the Arabic Music world in the Arabic language. Aldo is the only Franco-Arabic singer to have charted in the Middle East who has no Arabic background.

Aldo Today

Aldo today is spends most of his time in his personal business pursuits both in Australia and overseas. Although there has been talk of a new recording Aldo has not confirmed this saying only that he was very happy with the support he received, the acceptance his music enjoyed and its positive contribution to Arabic culture.In 2008, Aldo's recording company, Dual Image Records, released Aldo's emotionally powerful song fr Palestine. Called 'there's a Tear in My Heart' the songs speaks of the suffering and futility of life in Palestine today. A mock clip for the song was released to the YouTube community.When asked about the song Aldo responded: "It is not a political song as much as it is a song about humanity. It seems the part of us we have forgotten the most!"

References and Sources

* Franco Arabic Reference: http://www.unc.edu/francoarabic/
* Franco Arabic Reference: Example of Franco Arabic Music: 2.Mustafa http://bellydance.org/shop/product_info.php/cPath/21/products_id/98
* Franco Arabic Reference: Omar Sharif, the Franco-Arabic actor http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001725/

* Aldo's style influence referenced in 'Hit Album' on Amr Diab Biography: Nour El Ain http://www.artistopia.com/amr-diab/biography
* Original Recording Company for Aldo 1995+ Music Master Records, Saudi Arabia (http://www.music-master.com)
* Movie: Sorry My Love 1996 - Title Song written and performed by Aldo - Arabic Film Australia: http://afc.gov.au/filmsandawards/filmdbsearch.aspx?view=title&title=SORRYM&type=Co-Productions

Distributors of Aldo Albums:
* Aramusic Distributors, North America/Canada (http://www.aramusic.com/) http://www.aramusic.com/htmls/mm121.htm
* CD Arabia online, (http://www.cd-arabia.com/shopping.php)

* Arabic Radio Station Owned by Aldo until 1999: Arabic Radio Perth, Western Australia (http://www.mrtawa.org.au/1/arabicradio.php)

Aldo on You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nW7AHmKmBqU