Years ago, when I was a teenager, I saw a picture of Vigen in hunting suit and gear, sitting with a group of villagers near Gorgan, a city near Caspian. They were enjoying the campfire and drinking tea.
The photo was published in Javanan or Ettela'at Haftegi magazine as part of a special report that followed Vigen on a hunting trip with some of his old friends and locals.
This was the period right before the 1978-79 revolution. If I'm not mistaken, at that time Vigen had already moved to California but would occasionally come back for concerts or TV appearances, or for nostalgic retreats with old friends to the far corners of Iran and away from the limelight.
Apparently, hunting was one of Vigen's favorite activities. The photos I saw, which I have tried unsuccessfully to find, showed a simple, friendly and down-to-earth Vigen that was consistent with his reputation as the nicest guy you could ever meet. Although he was an Armenian by birth and a superstar, he forged friendships over the years with people across all religions and social classes.
Vigen who passed away earlier this week, was the quintessential nice guy of the Iranian entertainment scene and will forever be remembered and cherished. May God bless his soul and our sincere condolences to his family and fans!
