Farhad (singer)

Farhad
فرهاد مهراد
Farhad in the 1970s
Farhad in the 1970s
Background information
Birth nameFarhad Mehrad
Born(1944-01-20)20 January 1944
Tehran, Iran
OriginTehran
Died31 August 2002(2002-08-31) (aged 58)
Paris, France
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • guitarist
  • pianist
Instrument(s)singing, guitar, piano
Years active1964–1979, 1989–2002
WebsiteOfficial website

Farhad Mehrad (20 January 1944 – 31 August 2002) was a popular Iranian singer, songwriter, guitarist and pianist. He was a versatile musician who released the first English rock and roll album in Iran. Farhad gained fame among the Iranian rock, pop and folk musicians before the Islamic Revolution of 1979. He was prohibited from singing for several years in Iran after the revolution. Farhad's first concert after the Islamic Revolution was held in 1990. He is still recognized as one of the most influential and respected contemporary Iranian singers. Farhad was also the founding member of the popular Iranian band Black Cats.

Farhad's song "Jomeh" (Friday) for the film "Khodahafez Rafigh" in 1971 brought him widespread popularity. Despite rumors that it was a political song written by Shahyar Ghanbari, these allegations were denied by Ghanbari himself on Tapesh TV's "Uncut" Show.