Biography
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On March 30th 1977, a distinguished page in the history of Arabic songs and
music was closed at the death of Abdul Halim Hafez.
The voice of a whole generation, characterised by patriotic passion and
represented by this great singer, was silenced. Since the inception of the July 23,
1952 Revolution, the voice of Abdul Halim Hafez and that of his tutors
Mohamed Abdul Wahab and Om Kalthoum had expressed the romantic feelings
and sentiments and the aspirations and dreams of the entire Arab nation.
The voice of Abdul Halim Hafez was expressive of one of the most
important periods of Arab history during which national and sincere
hopes and dreams of a promising future followed the elimination of
colonialism.
Abdul Halim Hafez performed his role not merely as a singer but
rather as a participant in formulating political events of the Arab
nation. During this period singing was the most outstanding and
influential form of art and more widespread than the cinema, the
stage, painting and literature. Millions of Arabs listened and were
deeply influenced by the songs of Abdul Halim Hafez and his peers.
His songs convinced people and rallied support for the Revolution
and its goals.
Abdul Halim Ali Ismail Shabana, which was his true name, was born
in 1929 in a village 80 kilometres north of Cairo. On the day of his
birth his mother died and so did his father after a short period. His
musical talent appeared while he was in primary school. His first
music teacher was his elder brother Ismail Shabana, the singer.
In 1941 he joined the Arabic Music Institute in Cairo and became famous for
singing the songs of Mohamed Abdul
Wahab. He then joined the Egyptian radio music orchestra. In 1952, he started
to gain fame when he sang in public
concerts songs composed by the well-known musician Mohamed El Mogy. But
actually he began to gain his greatest
popularity in 1954 when he sang on the Egyptian Revolution anniversary
expressing the aspirations and dreams of the
new generation.
Abdul Halim Hafez's national songs brought about a revolution in
Arabic music. He aroused enthusiastic, patriotic feelings, not through
the conventional recitations of poems and throbbing rhythm of brass
musical instruments but by his gentle love songs for the homeland.
Late President Gamal Abdul Nasser was a patron of Abdul Halim
Hafez, who also won the friendship of some Arab leaders such as the
late Tunisian President Al Habib Bourquibah and King Hassan II of
Morocco.
For almost 26 years his national songs were the most expressive of
political events in Egypt, to the extent that he was described by some
as "Al Jabarti" (the historian) who translated national dreams and
visions into songs. The passionate poems by poets such as Salah
Jaheen, Ahmed Shafeeq Kamel and Abdul Rahman Al Abnoudi, who
wrote in simple but highly expressive words, considerably helped in
the song revolution.
Referring to Abdul Halim Hafez's love songs we can say that they
were another revolution in Arabic music. He was encouraged by the
great musician and pioneer of innovation Mohamed Abdul Wahab as
well as Baleegh Hamdi, the young composer who accompanied him in
the journey of innovation. His love songs were simple, sincere and
well-performed.
He sang in most of the Arab countries, and presented hundreds of
love songs, 56 national songs, and played a leading role in 16 movies.
His songs are still very popular and best sellers in the Arab nation.
