elias rahbani biography

biography of Elias Rahbani,

 Early Life & Musical Training

• Born Elias Hanna Al Rahbani on June 26, 1938 in Antelias, Lebanon, the youngest of the famed Rahbani Brothers (alongside Assi and Mansour)
• Studied at the Lebanese Conservatory, and received private training under French maestros Michel Bourgeot and Bertrand Robillard
• By age 19, despite a hand injury that prevented a concert career, he began pursuing music composition—prompting BBC Arabic to commission him to compose 40 songs and scores for radio dra

 Career & Creative Legacy

• From 1962 to 1972, worked as musical adviser at Radio Lebanon, shaping the nation’s cultural soundscape and integrating Western influences into Arabic m
• Composed over 2,500 musical pieces, with about 2,000 in Arabic, including more than 25 film soundtracks, scores for Lebanese and Egyptian TV series, children’s albums, political anthems, and jingles for major brands
• Pioneered fusion between Levantine melodies and emerging Western trends—experimenting with electronic instruments, synthesizers, and genres like ye-ye, psych‑rock, Latin, funk, and chanson

 Notable Collaborations & Works

• Penned iconic songs for immense talents:
  • Fairuz: “Tair el-Warwar”, “Kan Ena Tahoun”, and “Hanna El Sekran”
  • Sabah: including “Sheftou Bel Anater” (1964)
  • Wadih El Safi, Majida El Roumi, Melhem Barakat, among others
• Created the groundbreaking instrumental album Mosaic of the Orient (early 1970s), celebrated internationally in underground and club circles for blending oud and buzuq with synthesizers
• Composed beloved jingles for Rayovak batteries, Tatra Dairy, Picon cheese—embedding them in Lebanese daily life during the civil war era

 Recognition & Later Work

• Garnered international awards in Greece, Germany, Brazil, Venice (advertising), and more, along with honorary doctorates from U.S. and Spanish universities
• Served as a judge on talent shows like SuperStar and Star Academy, and co-founded the Rotana Academy of Music—though he later left the role
• In 2015, founded the Elias Rahbani Academy, with branches in Beirut and Tripoli, continuing to mentor the next generation even through virtual classes amid COVID‑19

Death & Legacy

• Passed away on January 4, 2021 in Beirut at age 82–83 due to COVID‑19 complications, leaving a profound void in Arabic music
• His passing prompted widespread tributes from icons like Fairuz, Majida El Roumi, Nancy Ajram, and political leaders, who hailed his music as unmatched in beauty and lasting cultural resonance
• Survived by his wife Nina Maria Khalil, sons Ghassan and Jad (both musicians), and daughter Elham, his influence continues through the artists and schools he inspired

 Summary Table