Ahmad Zahir
Ahmad Zahir (Pashto/Dari: احمد ظاهر; 14 June 1946 – 14 June 1979) was an Afghan singer, songwriter and composer. Dubbed the "Elvis of Afghanistan", he is widely considered the all-time greatest singer of Afghanistan. The majority of his songs were sung in Dari, and he also sang many songs in Pashto, as well as a few in Russian, Urdu and English.
Ahmad Zahir احمد ظاهر | |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Ahmad |
| Born | 14 June 1946 Kabul, Kingdom of Afghanistan |
| Died | 14 June 1979 (aged 33) Salang Tunnel, Parwan/Baghlan, Democratic Republic of Afghanistan |
| Genres | Romantic, pop, classic |
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| Years active | 1964–1979 |
| Website | Ahmad Zahir's Songs |
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Born in Kabul, 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. 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. He has also become an icon of peacetime pre-war Afghanistan.