Ziad Rahbani, Iconic Lebanese Composer and Cultural Critic, Dies at 69

Ziad Rahbani, the legendary Lebanese composer, playwright, and musician whose work shaped a generation and bridged the cultural gap between East and West, has died at the age of 69. He passed away on Saturday morning at a hospital in Beirut following a long illness, the hospital confirmed.

Renowned for blending Arabic musical traditions with Western genres such as jazz and funk, Rahbani carved out a distinctive sound that resonated deeply with the Lebanese public. His 1978 experimental album Abu Ali remains a defining piece of Arabic funk, showcasing his genius for weaving complex rhythms with the melancholy of a region steeped in both beauty and turmoil.

Born into an extraordinary musical dynasty—his mother, Fairuz, is a national treasure and one of the Arab world’s most revered singers, while his father, Assi Rahbani, was a pioneering composer—Ziad Rahbani inherited not just talent but a fearless artistic voice. That voice would go on to challenge Lebanon’s political and social norms for decades.

Throughout his prolific career, Rahbani was never afraid to speak truth to power. His plays and musical performances often carried sharp critiques of sectarianism, warlordism, and corruption in Lebanese society. From the height of the 1975–1990 Civil War to the uncertain post-war years, Rahbani offered a soundtrack to Lebanon’s struggles—laced with satire, sorrow, and stubborn hope.

His appeal transcended religious and political divides in a country often split along confessional lines. Generations of Lebanese—those who endured the war and those born in its shadow—found common ground in his witty, biting reflections on everyday life, loss, and resilience.

Rahbani also wore many creative hats: he was a gifted pianist, a bold playwright, and a captivating actor. But perhaps his greatest legacy lies in his ability to humanize Lebanon’s complexities with humor, intellect, and compassion. He once famously described his homeland as “Falafel mixed with Hamburger,” a metaphor for Lebanon’s eclectic identity straddling Europe and the Arab world.

As Lebanon mourns the loss of one of its most influential cultural figures, Ziad Rahbani leaves behind a body of work that will echo for generations—reminding us that even in chaos, art can still speak with clarity and conviction.

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