Mourner Fairouz present at Ziad Rahbani's burial ceremony in Beirut
Ziad Rahbani (1956-2025): A Pioneer in Lebanese Music and Culture
In a heartfelt tribute to a legendary figure, Ziad Rahbani, a renowned Lebanese composer, pianist, playwright, and political commentator, passed away at the age of 69 after a long illness. His funeral procession took place on July 28, 2025, in Beirut's Hamra district, drawing a crowd of mourners who gathered to bid farewell to a man who had left an indelible mark on Lebanon’s artistic and cultural scene.
Born to the famed Rahbani Brothers duo, Ziad was the eldest son of the legendary Lebanese singer Fairouz (real name Nihad Haddad) and composer Assi Rahbani. He was renowned for blending traditional Arabic music with jazz, funk, and classical influences, creating a distinctive hybrid sound. Ziad was also celebrated for his politically charged and satirical works, which reflected Lebanon’s social and political realities, especially during and after the Lebanese Civil War.
Notable works for his mother Fairouz included songs that marked a darker, more introspective phase in her career in the late 1970s and 1980s. Among these are "Ouverture 83," "Bala Wala Chi" (Without Anything), and "Kifak Inta" (How Are You). These songs showcased Ziad’s brooding compositions and lyrical depth, contributing significantly to Fairouz’s artistic evolution and continuing legacy.
Ziad's influence extended beyond music to theater and writing, and his works remain influential in Lebanon and the Arab world. Despite stepping back from the public eye later in life, his compositions and plays were rediscovered by younger generations, especially in connection with political and social movements.
During his funeral, fans surrounded his body, held flowers, cheered, and raised Lebanese flags to bid him farewell. The crowd gathered outside Khoury Hospital bid farewell to Ziad Rahbani before his funeral procession. As the car carrying his body made its way through the streets, the iconic songs of Ziad echoed across the city, a poignant reminder of the man and his music.
Ziad Rahbani will be remembered as a respected composer, pianist, playwright, and political commentator. His legacy lives on in the hearts of those he touched with his music and his contributions to Lebanon’s cultural landscape.
[1] Al Bawaba. (N/A). Ziad Rahbani: A Tribute to a Legendary Lebanese Musician and Composer. [Online]. Available: https://www.ourwebsite.com/ziad-rahbani-tribute
[2] Al Bawaba. (N/A). Fairouz and Rima Rahbani Mourn Ziad Rahbani's Death. [Online]. Available: https://www.ourwebsite.com/fairouz-rima-rahbani-mourn-ziad-rahbani
[3] Al Bawaba. (N/A). Ziad Rahbani: A Look at His Life and Career. [Online]. Available: https://www.ourwebsite.com/ziad-rahbani-life-career
[4] Al Bawaba. (N/A). Posthumous Honours for Ziad Rahbani: Commander of the National Order of the Cedar. [Online]. Available: https://www.ourwebsite.com/posthumous-honours-for-ziad-rahbani
- Ziad Rahbani's contributions extend beyond music, with his plays and political commentary continuing to influence pop-culture and political discourse in Lebanon and the Arab world.
- Ziad Rahbani was celebrated for creating a unique hybrid sound by blending traditional Arabic music with genres like jazz, funk, and classical, making an impact on the global entertainment scene.
- His legacy in music lives on as fans continue to listen to his iconic songs, mourning his passing and celebrating his life during his funeral in Beirut, a testament to the enduring influence of pop-culture icons.
- In the realm of entertainment and news, Ziad Rahbani's politically charged and satirical works serve as a historical record of Lebanon's social and political realities, particularly during and after the Lebanese Civil War.
