- Azar Habib
Azar Habib (عازار حبيب) (November 28, 1945 - November 15, 2007) born in
Marjayoun ,Lebanon , was a Lebanese composer and singer. He lived in Marjayoun until he was four years old and then his family moved toBeirut . He was mostly known for his loveballad s and for mixing traditionalArabic music with modern western pop.He was most popular in Lebanon and
Syria . One of his most recognized pieces outside Lebanon is "Habbeetik", which inspiredHatten är din , a Swedish flash animation which gained worldwide popularity as anInternet phenomenon .Azar Habib died in Lebanon of a
heart attack on Thursday, November 15, 2007.Early Life
Azar Habib was born on the 28th of November 1945 in Marj Oyoun, Lebanon. He lived there until he was four years old and then his family moved to Beirut. As a child, Azar loved painting and drawing which led him to study Painting and Architecture when he grew up.At the age of 18, Azar's interests were focused on music and that was when he started playing the guitar. In 1962, along with some of his friends, Azar formed a music band and called it "Los Diavalos" and later changed its name to "Los Cavalieros". The band used to sing the famous western songs of that time for Enrico Mascias, Johnny Holiday and all the stars of that era. Azar Habib is considered to be one of the very first creators of the new style in music at that time which mixed western music with eastern music. Critiques and artists of the time believe that it is Azar Habib who made it possible for modern music to benefit from the light western rhythm and the meaningful eastern words and rich music style (http://www.azarhabib.net).
Azar Habib.. The Patriot
Unlike most singers who sang for the love of their countries, Azar Habib dealt with this love inside him for 'Home' in a different unique way. Instead of singing to the cedars and the green mountains and the snow falling on top of the meadows in winter, Azar sang for the people inside 'Home'. Instead of singing to a specific country, he sang to the lover, the friend, the father, the daughter inside the country. Azar said, "Each country in the world has its own charm and beauty. I don't want to speak of the beauty of my country, I want to speak of the beauty of the people in any country. I want people from all nationalities to listen to my songs and think, this is MY country"(http://www.azarhabib.net).
Azar Habib & Marj 3youn.. His Homeland
"Marj 3youn" or, as many Lebanese people call it, "Jdaidet Marj 3youn" is a village in the South of Lebanon that extends south from the present town to the Palestinian frontier and is surrounded on three sides by hills. It is also the largest Lebanese town of the South Beqaa3 and as the district headquarters, as well as being the market center of the region. It has always been an army garrison town, guarding the nearby (8 km.) Palestinian frontier, and being in a commanding position on its hillside, provides many scenic views of the surrounding countryside.The town owes its name to a large number of water sources and springs forming small rivers, which made the surrounding plain very fertile.It has a wide variety of trees and is famous for its beautiful landscape and mild climate. Other legends say that the name "Marj 3youn" may have come from the ancient lost city of "Lyyon" by later confusion with "3youn", the Arabic plural for "spring". "Marj" is simply "Meadow", thus "Marj 3youn" is the "Meadow of Springs"(http://www.azarhabib.net).
Download & Listen to Azar Habib's Songs
Download & listen to Azar Habib's songs on http://www.azarhabib.net
YouTube samples
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REA_bVvyezY Song: Am Tikbaar El Farhaa]
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEE0JDow5FA&feature=related Song: A'a Jbeen El Lail]
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_oXh-nSLmE&feature=related Song: Lawlake Ya Malaky]
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QL8zr-n09hI&feature=related Arabic Oldies]
http://www.azarhabib.net
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