Renowned Lebanese musician Ziad Rahbani, known as the offspring of esteemed singer Fairouz, passes away at the age of 69.
Ziad Rahbani, a renowned figure in the Lebanese and Arab artistic community, passed away on July 26th, 2025, at the age of 69. His death has left a profound impact, with the artistic community expressing shock and sorrow.
Rahbani, the son of Fairouz, one of the Arab world's most famous singers, and Assi Rahbani, a founder of modern Arabic music, made his mark as a composer, pianist, playwright, and political commentator.
Throughout his career, Rahbani composed significant songs for his mother, including "Al Bosta" (1979), which marked a creative shift towards darker, socially reflective themes, blending Arabic music with jazz influences and Beirut’s gritty realities. Another notable song is "Sa'alouni El Nas", considered one of Fairouz’s most famous Arabic songs, written by the Rahbani Brothers and composed by Ziad Rahbani.
These compositions, along with tracks from the acclaimed albums Wahdon (1979) and Maarifti Feek (1987), highlighted Rahbani’s role in giving Fairouz a "second act" by moving away from traditional folk sounds to more jazzy, modern ballads. These works stand as pivotal moments in Fairouz’s career, showcasing Rahbani’s innovative influence on Arabic music.
Rahbani's first stage appearance was in "Al Mahatta", where he played the role of the detective. He later appeared in the Rahbani Brothers' "Mays el Rim" in the role of one of the policemen.
Iraqi artist Shatha Hassoun offered a tribute to Rahbani, saying "Legends never die, they live forever. I offer my condolences to the Lebanese people on the passing of one of the icons of great Lebanese art, Ziad Rahbani. May God have mercy on him."
Sally Shakkour, the leader of the English news team at Al Bawaba, provided exclusive updates and enhanced content on Rahbani's passing. Shakkour is a news and breaking news writer with over 6 years of experience in publishing content and digital journalism. She is also responsible for Al Bawaba's exclusive celeb scoops and entertainment news, and monitors Al Bawaba's social media accounts with her insights and knowledge of current trends and popular issues.
The cause of Rahbani's death has not been disclosed. Local media confirmed his death on Saturday.
Rahbani composed his first music for Fairuz, his mother, when he was 17 years old. His compositions will continue to resonate in the Arab world, serving as a testament to his innovative spirit and significant contributions to Arabic music.
[1] Al-Jazeera. (2021). Ziad Rahbani: The man behind Fairouz's second act. [Online]. Available: https://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/arts/2021/5/13/ziad-rahbani-the-man-behind-fairouz-s-second-act
[2] The National. (2021). Ziad Rahbani, the Lebanese composer who blended jazz with Arabic music, dies aged 69. [Online]. Available: https://www.thenationalnews.com/culture/music/ziad-rahbani-the-lebanese-composer-who-blended-jazz-with-arabic-music-dies-aged-69-1.122277307
- The news of Ziad Rahbani's passing has sparked a deeper discussion about his impact on the Arabic music scene, with a focus on his innovative blending of jazz and Arabic music, as reported by The National and other media outlets.
- In addition to his musical contributions, Rahbani's role as a playwright and political commentator in the Lebanese entertainment industry has been significant, as covered extensively by Al-Jazeera.
- As the heyday of celebrities and entertainment news continues, Sally Shakkour, a renowned figure in digital journalism, has provided exclusive updates and in-depth content on the life and passing of Ziad Rahbani, a key figure in both the music and entertainment industries of the Arab world.
