Abdel Halim Hafez

Abdel Halim Hafez

Abdel Halim Hafez
Background information
Birth name Abdel Halim Ali Shabana
Born (1929-06-21)June 21, 1929
Al Sharqia Governorate, Egypt
Origin Al Sharqia Governorate
Died March 30, 1977(1977-03-30) (aged 47)
King's College Hospital, London, United Kingdom
Genres Egyptian
Opera
Arabic
Occupations Singer, actor musician producer
Years active 1952–1977
Labels EMI Arabia
Associated acts Umm Kulthum
Fairuz
Mohamed Abdel Wahab
Shadia
Website 7alim.com

Abdel Halim Ali Shabana (Arabic: عبدالحليم علي شبانة), commonly known as Abdel Halim Hafez (Arabic: عبد الحليم حافظ‎) (June 21, 1929 – March 30, 1977), is among the most popular Egyptian and Arab singers.[1][2][3] In addition to singing, Halim was also an actor, conductor, business man, music teacher and movie producer.[1][4][5][6][7] He is considered to be one of the Great Four of Arabic music (along with Umm Kulthum, Mohammed Abdel Wahab, and Farid Al Attrach).[1][6][8] His name is sometimes written as 'Abd el-Halim Hafez. He is known as el-Andaleeb el-Asmar (The Dark-Skinned Nightingale, Arabic: العندليب الأسمر‎).[3][9] He is also known as an icon in modern Arabic music.[1][10] To this day, his music is still enjoyed throughout the Arab world.[4][11][12][13]

Early life

Born in El-Halawat, in Al Sharqia Governorate, 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of Cairo, Kingdom of Egypt as Abdel Halim Ali Shabanah, he was the fourth child of Sheikh Ali Ismail Shabanah. He had two brothers, Ismail and Mohammed, and one sister, Aliah. His mother died from labor complications three days after giving birth to him - something that made people around him believe that he brought bad luck. His father died five years later, leaving him and his siblings orphaned at a young age. He lived in a poor orphanage for a number of years.[4] He was later raised by his aunt and uncle in Cairo. During these years Abdel Halim was extremely poor.[14]

Abdel Halim's 'one-of-a-kind' musical abilities first became apparent while he was in primary school and his older brother Ismail Shabanah was his first music teacher. At the age of 14 he joined the Arabic Music Institute in Cairo and became known for singing the songs of Mohammed Abdel Wahab. He dropped out from the Higher Theatrical Music Institute as an oboe player [15][16]

Musical career

While singing in clubs in Cairo, Abdel Halim was drafted as a last-minute substitute when the singer Karem Mahmoud was unable to sing a scheduled live radio performance in 1953.[17] Abdel Halim's performance was heard by Hafez Abdel Wahab, the supervisor of musical programming for Egyptian national radio. Abdel Halim took 'Hafez', Abdel Wahab's first name, as his stage-surname in recognition of his patronage.[2]

In the early days of his career, Abdel Halim was rejected for his new style of singing. However he persisted and was able to gain accolades later on.[9] Eventually, he became a singer enjoyed by all generations.[18][19] He also became Egypt's first romantic singer.[19]

In collaboration with composer Mohammed Abdel Wahab, Abdel Halim went on to produce many popular love songs such as Ahwak ("I adore you"), Nebtedi Minen el Hekaya ("Where should we start the story"), and Fatet Ganbina( "She passed by us"). Hafez also worked with Egyptian poet Mohammed Hamza on songs including Zay el Hawa ("It feels like love"), Sawah ("Wanderer"), Hawel Teftekerni ("Try to remember me"), Aye Damiet Hozn ("Any tear of sadness"), and Mawood ("Destined").

During his career, he was very popular and always performed in sold-out arenas and stadiums.[20] Despite his popularity, he rarely released a studio album since he worked purely as a live singer.[8] He also played many different instruments very well, including the oboe, drums, piano, oud, clarinet and guitar.[4] He was involved in all aspects of the composition of his songs.[1] Halim introduced many new instruments to the Arab World.[2] He was known for his deep passion in his songs and his highly unique and rare voice.[1][8] He always sang from true and honest feelings deep inside.[4] Halim performed in almost every country in the Arab World as well as outside the Arab World, including several concerts in Europe.[1] Moreover, he sang uplifting patriotic songs for not only Egypt, but for many other countries in the Arab World such as Lebanon, Syria, Tunisia, and Morocco.[19] He used to encourage and help many young artists and actors to pursue successful careers.[21][22][23]

His Fame

In the Arab world, Halim is known as the "King of Arabic music", "The voice of the people", "The son of the revolution", and "King of emotions and feelings".[1][14][19][24][25] His patriotic songs were the most frequent songs sung by the crowds during the Egyptian Revolution of 2011.[1][5][18][19] One of the revolutionaries in the Egyptian Revolution of 2011 quoted that "the nightingale's songs inspired us during the January 25 revolution", he added "Although, he died 35 years ago, his songs will surely continue to inspire his fellow Egyptians for many generations to come".[19] His albums and CDs have sold more copies since his death than any other Arab artist ever.[11] His way of singing, the popularity of his songs and his behavior made him a role model for almost every modern Arab singer.[23][26][27][28] Egyptians and Arabs of all ages are a fan of Halim.[25] Halim is still remembered in the hearts of many people, even years after his death.[29] He is widely considered among the most influential performers in the Arab World.[14] The two composers Mohammed Abdel Wahab and Mohammed Al-Mougy both said, "Halim is the smartest person I ever knew". Mohammed Al-Mougy also added, "Halim is very original in all of his work".

Personal life

Hafez shaking hands with President Gamal Abdel Nasser, with whom he was friends, 1958

At the age of 30 , Abdel Halim contracted schistosomiasis[4]—a rare parasitic water-borne disease[9]—and was afflicted by it for most of his career. Despite this, he remained positive and continued composing and performing his songs.[24] Nevertheless, he was always there for his country despite his illness.[24]

Although Abdel Halim never married, it was rumoured that he was secretly married to actress Soad Hosni for six years. This has never been proven to date. People who were close to both singers denied this rumor.[30][31]

Throughout his life Halim often gave money and food to charities, and directly to the poor.[4] Halim frequently volunteered at orphanages and hospitals all over the Middle East to donate money, teach music, and to help those in need.[4] In 1969 Halim built a hospital in Egypt. He treated the poor, the rich, and presidents equally in the Arab World.[24]

Abdel Halim established strong friendships with many contemporary presidents and kings of the Eastern world, including Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt, and King Hassan II of Morocco.[4][11] He also had very close friendships with most Egyptian poets.[1] He has been in close relation with the Nasser regime. He sang directly to the first Egyptian president in several occasions. Consequently, he has been accused by many to be a "servant" of the regime. Regardless, he is still an icon that unites all Arabs.

Death

Funeral of Abdel Halim Hafez

Abdel Halim died of liver failure as a complication from Schistosoma Mansoni (reference St. George's University School of Medicine) on March 30, 1977 (a few months before his 48th birthday) while undergoing treatment for Bilharzia in King's College Hospital, London. His death brought sadness and shock waves throughout the entire Arab world. As a result, his funeral in Cairo was attended by millions of people[9] – more than any funeral in the history of the Middle East, other than that of President Nasser.[32] He had many more dreams and goals that he wanted to achieve and surpass and could have, but his early death prevented him from doing so.[24] Some people committed suicide once they heard of Halim's passing. It has been reported that at least four women committed suicide by jumping off the balcony during his funeral march.[4][9] He was buried in Al Rifa'y Mosque (مسجد الرفاعي) in Cairo.

Legacy

Abdel Halim Hafez's song Khosara (خسارة) received notice in the Western world in 1999 when producer Timbaland used elements from it for Jay-Z's recording "Big Pimpin'." Two complete bars from "Khosara" were rerecorded, not sampled, and used without permission from the song's producer and copyright holder, Magdi el-Amroussi. Jay-Z's use of an interpolation, rather than an actual sample, may allow him to avoid paying royalties for the use of the song.[33]

Over 300 of his songs were recorded and he starred in sixteen classic and successful films, including "Dalilah" (دليله), which was the Middle East's first color motion picture[14]>[19]

Along with Mohammed Abdel Wahab and Magdi el-Amroussi, Abdel Halim was one of the main founders of the famous Egyptian recording company Soutelphan,[4][15] which continues to operate to this day as a subsidiary of EMI Arabia.[1] The company was founded in 1961.[4]

A feature film about his life, "Haleem", was released in 2006, starring Ahmad Zaki in the title role, produced by the Good News Group.[34] In the same year a soap opera "Al-andaleeb hikayt shaab" [35] was produced in Egypt with Shadi Shamel starring as Abdel Halim. Shamel won the lead role in a televised competition.[36]

Songs

Abdel Halim was very successful in composing rich and meaningful Egyptian songs for the world to enjoy.[9]

Some of Halim's most popular songs are:

Ahwak (I adore you), Ala Ad El Sho' (As much as the longing), Ala Hesb Wedad (Wherever my heart leads me), Betlomooni Leih (Why do you blame me), El Massih (Christ), Fatet Ganbena (She passed by us), Gabbar (Arrogant), Gana El Hawa (The mood struck us), Sawwah (Wanderer), Maw'ood (Destined), Zai El Hawa (Like love), his last song Qari'at Al Fingan (The coffee fortune-teller), and the posthumously-released Habibati Man-Takoon (My Beloved Who Is She)[12]

Filmography

Title Release Date Role Co-stars DirectorNotes
Lahn El Wafa' (The Song of Faithfulness) March 1, 1955 Galal Shadia Ibrahim Amara Abdel Halim Hafez co-directed
Ayyamna al-Holwa (Our Beautiful Days) March 1, 1955 Ali Faten Hamama, Omar Sharif, Ahmed Ramzy Helmy Halim
Ayam We Layali (Days and Nights) September 8, 1955 Yehia Eman Henry Barakat
Mawed Gharam (Love Rendez-vous) January 3, 1956 Samir Faten Hamama Henry Barakat
Dalila October 20, 1956 Ahmed Shadia Mohamad Karim This was the Arab world's first movie in Cinemascope
Banat El Yom (The Girls of Today) November 10, 1957 Khaled Magda, Amal Farid Henry Barakat Hafez performed the popular love song "Ahwak" for the first time in this film
Fata Ahlami (The Man Of My Dreams) March 7, 1957 Amal Farid Helmy Rafla
Alwisada El Khalia (The Empty Pillow) December 20, 1957 Salah Abdel Halim Hafez, Lubna Abed El Aziz Salah Abu Yousef The song Asmar Y'Asmarani was performed in this movie by Faeza Ahmed. Halim performed Awel Marra in this movie.
Share' El Hob (Love Street) March 5, 1958 Abd-El Moneim Sabah Ez El Deen Zol Faqar
Hekayit Hob (A Love Story) January 12, 1959 Ahmed Sami Mariam Fakher El Deen Helmy Halim
El Banat Wel Seif (Girls and Summer) September 5, 1960 Suad Husni, Zizi El Badrawi Salah Abu Yousef, Ez El Deen Zol Faqar, Fateen Abed El Wahhab This movie consisted of 3 stories. Abdel Halim Hafez acted in one of these.
Yom Men Omri (A Day of My Life) February 8, 1961 Salah Zubaida Tharwat Atef Salem
El Khataya (The Sins) November 12, 1962 Hussien Madiha Yousri, Hasan Yousef, Nadia Lutfi Hassan El Imam Featured the songs Wehyat Alby, Maghroor, Last Adry, Olly Haga, and El Helwa
Maabodat El Gamahir (The Beloved Diva) January 13, 1963 Ibrahim Farid Shadia Helmy Halim Featured the songs Haga Ghareeba, Balash Etaab, Last Kalby, Gabbar, and Ahebek
Abi Foq El Shagara (My Father Atop a Tree) February 17, 1969 Adel Nadia Lutfi, Mervat Amin Hussein Kamal Featured the songs Ady El Belag, El Hawa Hawaya, Ahdan El Habayeb, Ya Khali El Alb, and Gana El Hawa. Hafez also produced this movie and was the last film in which he appeared. This movie is still the longest running motion picture in movie theaters in the Arab world to date.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 El-Saket, Ola (June 21, 2011). "Remembering Abdel Halim Hafez, the voice of revolution". Al-Masry Al-Youm: Today's News from Egypt. Retrieved July 21, 2011.
  2. 1 2 3 Kjeilen, TTore (2011). "Abdel Halim Hafez". LookLex Encyclopaedia. lexicorient.com. Retrieved July 18, 2011.
  3. 1 2 "Google celebrate Abdel -halim hafez birthday". iDothink. 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "Abdel Halim Hafez". Internet Movie Database. 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
  5. 1 2 "The sound of resilience". Al-Ahram. 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
  6. 1 2 "Google celebrates Abdel halim hafez’s birthday". iDothink. 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
  7. ↑ "The business of culture". Al Ahram. 2000. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
  8. 1 2 3 "Abdel Halim Hafez". Arabic nights. 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Katti, Madhuri (March 30, 2009). "Abdel Halim Hafez: Golden Voice of Egypt | The Fiendish". thefiendish.com. Retrieved July 18, 2011.
  10. ↑ "Abd El Halim Hafez". anayou. 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
  11. 1 2 3 "Abdel Halim Hafez". Egypt State Information Service. 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
  12. 1 2 "Abdel Halim Hafez". last.fm. 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
  13. ↑ "Abdelhalim hafez". hibamusic. 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
  14. 1 2 3 4 "Abdel Halim Hafez". Internet Movie Database. 2011. Retrieved September 18, 2011.
  15. 1 2 "Abdel Halim Hafez Biography". AOL Music. 2011. Retrieved July 18, 2011.
  16. ↑ "Abdel Halim Hafez". Internet Movie Database. 2011. Retrieved September 16, 2011.
  17. ↑ "Abdel Halim Hafez". Egyptian Figures. 2011. Retrieved September 18, 2011.
  18. 1 2 Fahim, Kareem; Cambanis, Thanassis (February 10, 2011). "In Tahrir Square, Hopes Mount and Then Are Dashed". The New York Times.
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "A revolutionary for every generation". The Egyptian Gazette. 2012. Retrieved April 28, 2012.
  20. ↑ "Abdel Halim Hafez". 6lyrics. 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
  21. ↑ "Mervat Amin". anayou. 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
  22. ↑ "Singer Profile: A Moroccan Star Shines in the Arab World". Magharebia. 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
  23. 1 2 "Hani Shaker". Arabic nights. 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
  24. 1 2 3 4 5 "Halim". bossa. 2006. Retrieved September 18, 2011.
  25. 1 2 "The Soundtrack of the Revolution". Africa is a Country. 2011. Retrieved March 10, 2012.
  26. ↑ "Abdel Halim Hafez". The Egyptian Castle. 2008. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
  27. ↑ "Abdel Halim Hafez". casino piscinealey. 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
  28. ↑ "Pop culture Arab world!: media, arts, and life style". google books. 2005. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
  29. ↑ "Abd El Halim Hafez". anayou. 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
  30. ↑ "Abdel Halim Hafez". A Bridge To Egypt. 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
  31. ↑
  32. ↑ "ABDEL HAFEZ, 46, OF EGYPT, ARAB WORLD'S TOP SINGER". New York Times (New York). April 2, 1977.
  33. ↑ Atia, Tarek (June 2000). "Pimpin' a classic". Al-Ahram Weekly. Retrieved July 18, 2011.
  34. ↑ "Halim (2006)". Internet Movie Database. 2011. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  35. ↑ "Al-andaleeb hikayt shaab (TV mini-series 2006)". Internet Movie Database. 2011. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  36. ↑ Mustafa, Hani (October 2006). "A winning formula". Al-Ahram Weekly (815). Retrieved July 19, 2011. Shamel

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