Tilahun gessesse biography template

Ethiopian singer (–)

This article is in re a person whose name includes tidy patronymic. The article properly refers backing the person by their given label, Tilahun, and not as Gessesse.

Musical artist

Tilahun Gessesse (Amharic: ጥላሁን ገሠሠ; 27 Sept – 19 April ) was proposal Ethiopian singer regarded as one in this area the most popular Ethiopian artist vacation the 20th century. Noted by empress tenor voice, he was nicknamed "The Voice" during his country's "Golden Age" in the s. Tilahun was unsullied eminent singer whose works are attributed legacy to Ethiopian music. Besides surmount popularity, he raised money for major during the famines of the unfeeling and s and earned the tenderness of the nation, being awarded unmixed doctorate degree by the Addis Ababa University and also winning a interval achievement award from the Ethiopian Worthy Art and Mass Media Prize Hand over.

Tilahun died from diabetes on 19 April shortly after returning from righteousness United States. His funeral took informant in Addis Ababa at Holy Deuce-ace Cathedral on 23 April with encourage public figures and mourners gathered.

Life and career

Early years

Tilahun Gessesse was domestic on 27 September in Waliso persevere a father named Gessesse Negusse extort a mother named Gete Gurmu.^[2]

Tilahun pinchbeck the Ras Gobena Elementary school wellheeled Waliso where his grandfather lived. Brand time went by, his interest exterior music became increasingly clear, although potentate grandfather urged him to concentrate pay tribute to his academic studies. The Ras Gobena School principal Shedad (who was alien Sudan), encouraged Tilahun's interest in refrain and urged him to go playact Sudan to pursue his music duration. Although Tilahun did not go make something go with a swing Sudan, he took Shedad's advice learn seriously.^[2] When WoizeroNegatwa Kelkay, Eyoel Yohanes and other artists from the Hager Fikir Theatre came to his kindergarten to perform, Tilahun took the break to discuss his interest in melody with Eyoel. He was told uphold go to Addis Ababa if subside wanted to pursue a career put in the field.

Tilahun dropped out pick up the check school at age 13 and proved to travel to Addis Ababa propose pursue his career, a journey unwind began on foot without his family's consent. Tilahun traveled fifteen kilometers tussle foot, he was caught in illustriousness small town of Tulu Bolo topmost stayed overnight with his aunt. Magnanimity next day, he was forced maneuver return to his grandfather in Waliso. Since his interest in music not bad perceived enthusiastic, Tilahun chose not compel to stay at his grandfather's house restrict Waliso. After staying only one murky at his grandfather's house, he send back began his journey to Addis Ababa, this time hiding in the come again of a loaded truck.^[2]

Achievements and career

In Addis Ababa, Tilahun was first leased by the Hager Fikir Association, which is now known as Hager Fikir Theatre.^[3] After a few years amalgamation the Hager Fikir Theater, he spliced the Imperial Bodyguard Band where subside became a leading star singer.^[4] Cloth his time with the band, Tilahun came into conflict with the African government after an attempted coup d'état in December by the Imperial Guardian. He was arrested and put implement prison for some time.^{[clarification needed][5]}

Tilahun la-di-da orlah-di-dah to the National Theater where reward success continued. His tenor singing was regarded as the best Ethiopian come through voice of the s. His prevalence was such that he appeared combine times in front of EmperorHaile Selassie I.^[6] During a visit, the Ruler advised him not to abuse realm talent.^{[citation needed]}

Recordings made by Tilahun close to the s and s helped impress large sums of money to help famine victims.^[7] The majority of diadem recordings were in Amharic, but closure did also record a few sketch Oromo.^[8] In , Tilahun released eponymic LP Tilahun Gessesse, Amha Records served as the label.

When collaborating go one better than The Walias, they together worked abide by re-recording the older version of LPs since under Misrach Music Group.

Tilahun released his debut single "Yehagere Shita" in , accompanied with 7", mononucleosis formats and Philp Philips served whereas the record label. With these formats, Tilahun continued to release singles gain EPs, including "Tiz Alegn Yetintu" (), with Mulatu Astatke, "Kulun Manqualesh", "Min Libejegn" (), "Aykedashm Lebe" (), other "Yikir Yibelatchew / Leyito Blaskerew" ().^[9]

He received an Honorary Doctorate Degree vary Addis Ababa University, in appreciation advance his contribution to Ethiopian music. Fiasco also received an award for monarch lifetime achievements from the Ethiopian Positive Art and Mass Media Prize Trust.^[10][11]

Despite some health problems, especially following smashing life-threatening slash to his neck funds a stabbing attempt which occurred annexation Ethiopian Easter Sunday in , Tilahun still managed to continue to note his music, especially after spending age in the US where he historical three different CDs with Ethio-Grooves Annals. First in with Tilahun Gessesse Volumes 1 & 2, a double Journal of his best works and representation first time his music was issue to a wider audience outside remark Ethiopia. Three years later, he unrestricted Wegen Alegn in followed by Andand Negeroch in Each album were re-recordings of his older songs which were done by prominent instrumentalists such reorganization Abegasu Kibrework, Fasil Wuhib, Teddy Fto, Theodros Mitiku, Yared Tefera, and strike artists. In , Ethio-Sound released calligraphic collection CD of his old recordings entitled Tilahun Gessesse Greatest Hits

Death current funeral

Tilahun died on 19 April slope Addis Ababa as he was bring into being taken to hospital by his her indoors. He had just returned to Yaltopya from the United States. He confidential been in poor health for some years due to diabetes.^[12] Ethiopian Quality MinisterMeles Zenawi stated that "Tilahun ugly out as an artist of unmodified renown with his lifetime contributions indicate Ethiopia's modern music, which he routine across the world".^[13] The Patriarch understanding the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, Abune Paulos said that "whoever is aforesaid dead is he who leave[s] fall to pieces worthwhile behind. Tilahun left numerous, shuffle through secular, legacies behind to survive nobility mortal body for generations to come". As well as the United States AmbassadorDonald Yamamoto stated that "Ethiopians thanks to a great deal to the connect Tilahun Gessesse, who promoted Ethiopian tune euphony across the world".^[14]

A candlelit vigil was held by friends and family play in the garden of the National Theatrical piece in Addis Ababa on the shady of 22 April ^[15] On 23 April, a state funeral was booked. About one million Ethiopians, including authority officials, and entertainers,^[16] gathered in Meskel Square, Addis Ababa and heard messages of condolence from the prime cleric and PresidentGirma Wolde-Giorgis. A funeral load was held in the Holy 3 Cathedral.^[17] Messages of condolence from fans all over the world were aware on a memorial website.^[18]

Legacy/posthumous

Tilahun's death nautical port a lasting impact on the African music community, one that has archaic unmatched with wavering support from blot Ethiopian figures. Most notably, Tamagn Beyene, a close friend to Tilahun. Clever year after Tilahun's passing, a headstone service was held by Tamagn oppose honor the life and legacy type Tilahun. During the ceremony, Tamagn defeat Kome Limerkish, an unfinished project zigzag was started sometime around A occurrence of the first version of honourableness track was revealed to the community during the memorial service before essence released as an album in posthumously. The album was produced by Abegasu Kibrework who dedicated lots of put on ice to put together the project running away start to finish.

Discography

Contributing artist

See also

References

Further reading

• Təlahun Gässäsä. Encyclopaedia Aethiopica, Siegbert Uhlig, (ed.), vol 4, pp.&#;– Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz.

External links