Viguen

He moved to the United States in 1971 and lived the rest of his life there. Vigen's innovative and upbeat style of music had a great influence on paving the way for a new genre of Iranian music, influenced by Western European and Latin American styles. His musical and performing talents soon captured the attention of many prominent Iranian lyricists and composers such as Parveez Vakili(fa) and Kareem Fakkour(fa), and together they created some of Iran's most memorable songs.

• Name — Vigen • Birth Name — Vigen Derderian • Born — 23 November 1929 • Birthplace — Hamadan, Imperial State of Iran • Died — 26 October 2003 • Place of death — Los Angeles, California, United States • Instrument — * Vocals • guitar • Genre — * Rock • pop • jazz • Occupation — * Singer • actor • Years Active — 1951–2001 • Label — * Avang Records • Caltex Records • Pars Video • Taraneh Enterprises Inc

Vigen was born into an Iranian-Armenian family of eight children in the western Iranian city of Hamadan. His father died of complications related to pneumonia when Vigen was only eight years old. His mother and older brother Zaven raised him after moving away from the family property due to a family disagreement. His older brother Karo was a well-known Iranian poet and wrote the lyrics for Vigen's signature song, "Lala'ee" (Lullaby). During World War II and following the Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran, the family moved to the northern city of Tabriz where local Azerbaijani nationalists declared the area a separatist republic, with the help of the occupying Soviet forces. This is where Vigen bought his first guitar from a Soviet Armenian soldier and discovered his affinity for American, Italian and Spanish music and adopted many of those melodies for his songs with Persian lyrics that became some of Iran's most popular music to date.

In his mid teens, Vigen moved to Tehran and in 1951 he was hired to perform at the Café Shemiran, an upscale restaurant & bar on the northern outskirts of the capital city. Equated to Elvis Presley by some fans in Iran, Vigen's debonair looks and his tall and athletic physique added to his appeal as Iran's first male pop star, particularly among young Iranian women at a time when ideas of emancipation and liberalism were taking hold in the 1950s and 60s. He was also one of the first Iranian entertainers to perform with a guitar.

Vigen moved to the United States in 1971 and settled in California. He would return to Iran yearly to do concerts and perform in Vegas-styled nightclubs. After the Islamic Revolution of 1979, he was exiled to the United States because pop music was no longer allowed in Iran. He celebrated the 50th anniversary of his career at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles in February 2001. Some of his most notable songs are "Baroon Barooneh" (It's Raining), "Asb-e Ablagh" (Piebald Horse), The Groom شاه داماد, "Mahtab" (Moonlight), Lala'ee (Lullaby), "Gol-e Sorkh" (Red Rose), "Ragheeb" (Rival), "Simin-bari", "Awazekhan" (The Singer) and "Del-e Divaneh" (Crazy Heart). More than 600 songs were recorded during his long career.

• Year — Original film title — English film title / translation — Notes • 1955 — Chaharrah-e Havades — The Crossroad of Events — Vigen's cinematic debut came in 1955, when he was discovered by the prominent Armenian-Iranian director Samuel Khachikian for a role in this film. • 1955 — Khoon va Sharaf — Blood and Honor • 1959 — Tappe-ye Eshq — The Hill of Love • 1965 — Aroos-e Darya — The Bride of the Sea • 1969 — Atash va khakestar — Fire and Ashes

His first wife was named Olga and they had three daughters together, including actress Aylin (also known as Eileen or Ailen), Aylin's fraternal twin sister, singer Jaklin Munns (also known as Jacqueline), and Katrin. His second wife was named Nadia and they had one daughter named, Evelyn, and one son named Edwin Derderian. His third wife was Karen Holston Derderian (1951–2015) and he had a step-daughter, Robin Navonne Brakefield.

Vigen died at home on 26 October 2003 from cancer and was buried at Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Cemetery in Westlake Village, California. At the time of his death he had recorded more than six hundred songs, starred in six motion pictures and made guest appearances on various popular TV shows including The Bob Hope Specials, The Jack Benny Show and the TV series Mission Impossible.

• 1979 - Vigen • 1984 - Hamkhooneh EP • 1985 - Duets • 1989 - Viguen Armenian Songs • 1989 - Taraneh Man • 1989 - Viguen 1 EP • 1991 - 43 Viguen Golden Songs • 1991 - Asb-e Som Tala • 1991 - Kooleh Bar • 1991 - Mahtab • 1992 - Saghi • 1993 - Zan-e-irooni • 1995 - Shahdoomad • 1996 - Soltan-e Eshgh • 1997 - Be Yade Tehran • 1998 - Bazgashte Dobareh • 2006 - Viguen 2 • 2006 - Viguen 3 • 2006 - Viguen 4 • 2006 - Viguen 5 • 2006 - Best of Viguen • 2008 - It's Raining • 2008 - 40 Golden Hits of Viguen • 2008 - Mahtaab • 2008 - Dirooz Emrooz • 2008 - Dokaboutar • 2008 - Shah Doumaad • 2008 - Ahanghaye Do Sedaiy • 2008 - It's Raining • 2011 - The Best Hits Vol 2 • 2011 - The Best Hits Vol 3