Aghasi

Compiled by Azam Nemati
Updated November 12, 2005
iranian.com

Latest

I saw the pictures of Aghasi's funeral late yesterday. I burst into tears and cried all the way home and all night. He was one of my heroes for having defied the odds and becoming an overnight success. He proved me and people like me right that he would not be a "on hit wonder". He was the embodiment of a kind, sweet and extremely charming person. I saw him perform in a small tent in 1978 at Cabaret Khorram (and will tell the story about that night). I was amazed at how humble yet funny he was and his voice was even more beautiful in person.

Well, Volak Nemat, damet garam for giving us so many memorable songs and thanks to you and your "dokhtare abadani" song, I got that nickname as a teenager and e-mail name I have chosen is  a tribute to you and that song. My cousin also named her daughter Ameneh because he loves your songs.

Eyvallah, for being so humble despite your enormous fame and I and million of Iranians showed you how much we loved you when you toured the US. Remembering the memorable night in Palm Beach where we danced the night away while you sang,  will always  warm my heart and I cherish the pictures I took with you while you joked about Dokhtarebadani. How many Champagne bottles were sent to you on the stage? You humbly thanked the crowd and sweetly asked those gifts be given to the audience.

Rest in peace knowing that your songs will entertain the generations to come and thanks to you the people stuck and frustrated in traffic end up smiling because your songs always are blasting from my car's stereo while I sing along with you.

I have no doubt you will be entertaining and putting smiles on many sad faces in the place called "after life".

Volak, Roohet Shaad

"Eyvallah" CD

* Eyvallah
* Nemotonam Baavar Konam
* Ghomaar Zendegi
* Yeki Yekdooneh
* Gole Pooneh
* Ghame Tanhaaie
* Khaastegaar
* Navallah
* Harkee Mehrabooneh
* Cheshmeh Arezoo
* Gholo Gharaar
* Dele Deevooneh

* Vatan

"Ameneh" CD

* Baa to ghahram
* Che goli Ksashti
* Dokhtar Hamssayeh
* Door az Yaaraanam
* Ameneh
* Goli Joon
* Zibaaye Bandar
* Soheyloo
* Naazat Kesham
* Harshab Miaaee
* Rosvaaiye Yaar
* Asemoon

***

1970's video: Aghasi singing "Lab-e Karoon"
Thanks to Bahram 9821

***

November 2004

Aghasi has always been a source of inspiration as well as the ultimate cool rebel to me because he dared to dream and when he achieved his dream he managed to prove that he deserved the prize.

In my younger days he became my unwilling accomplice anytime I went to a party attended by snobs and the newly rich who wanted to play Western artists whose names they could not even pronounce. I would put an Aghasi tape in the deck and, sure enough, the "closet rebels" would join me in dancing.

In my college days and during my long and lonely drives across Iran of the 1970s, his music kept me company.

A few years ago we invited Aghasi to perform at a very ritzy hotel, it was quite a scene watching the women in their expensive gowns and men in their designer suits follow my lead and dance with table napkins turning in the air.

Aghasi was thrilled and kept up with us and the sound of his warm "ey vallaah" energized us to dance for hours.

"Modrebe Peer" is his latest album. He has gone back to singing more traditional Koocheh Baazaari style where a man with beautiful voice recites poetry in "sooznaak" or heart wrenching harmony. I love the style.

The voice is a bit tired and raspy at this advanvced age, but still, very much Aghasi.

Album: Modrebe Peer

Yaadeteh
Sang Taraash
Ali Gooyam
MotrebePeer
Oomadam
Shoghe Vessaal

Album: Aghasi Concert

Lab-e Karoon (see video from 1970s)
Dokhtar-e Abadani
Ameneh
Botparast
Vaaveylaa Lailee

* *

Purchase Aghasi CDs here