Ahmad Zahir

For the Afghan cricketer, see Ahmad Zahir (cricketer).

Ahmad Zahir
احمد ظاهر
Background information
Birth nameAhmad Toryalai Zahir
Born(1946-06-14)14 June 1946
Kabul, Kingdom of Afghanistan
Died14 June 1979(1979-06-14) (aged 33)
Salang Tunnel, Parwan/Baghlan, Democratic Republic of Afghanistan
GenresRomantic, pop, classic
Occupation(s)
Instrument(s)
Years active1964–1979
WebsiteAhmad Zahir's Songs
Parents

Ahmad Zahir (Pashto/Dari: احمد ظاهر; 14 June 1946 – 14 June 1979) was an Afghan singer, songwriter and composer. Dubbed the "Elvis of Afghanistan",[1] he is widely considered the all-time greatest singer of Afghanistan.[2] The majority of his songs were in Dari followed by Pashto, with a few in Russian, Hindi and English.[3][4]

Zahir recorded at least 14 studio albums before his abrupt death on his 33rd birthday in 1979. His music blended folk music, Persian literature, Indian classical music and Western pop and rock styles.[2] Among Afghans, he is considered an icon of Afghan music and is widely regarded as the single greatest musician of all time, posthumously reclaiming immortal fame due to his contributions and influence on music in Afghanistan.[5] He has also become an icon of peacetime pre-war Afghanistan.[6]

  1. ^ Rabe, Nate. "The West has just discovered the Elvis of Afghanistan". Qz.com. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Ahmad Zahir: The Enduring". Arwa Haider. BBC News. 6 December 2018. Archived from the original on 19 August 2021. Retrieved 10 October 2019. A new documentary celebrates Ahmad Zahir, the '60s and '70s icon who mysteriously died in 1979. Arwa Haider talks to the people making the film, including Zahir's daughter, about how the singer combined popularity with protest.
  3. ^ Haider, Arwa. "Ahmad Zahir: The enduring appeal of the Afghan Elvis". Bbc.com. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  4. ^ "The 'Afghan Elvis': the extraordinary life of Ahmad Zahir". Monica Whitlock; BBC World Histories magazine. 4 July 2019. Retrieved 10 October 2019. He sang mostly in – Persian – but also in Russian, Hindi and English.
  5. ^ Inskeep, Steve (1 February 2010). "Ahmad Zahir: The Voice of the Golden Years". Morning Edition. Archived from the original on 4 May 2011. Retrieved 24 May 2011.
  6. ^ "A bow to 'The King'--Ahmad". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 19 November 2021.