Ziad Rahbani
Ziad Rahbani (1 January 1956 – 26 July 2025) was a Lebanese composer, musician, playwright and political commentator. He was the son of Lebanese singer Fairuz and Lebanese composer Assi Rahbani. Many of his musicals satirize Lebanese Sectarian politics both during and after the Lebanese Civil War, and are often critical of the traditional political establishment.
Ziad Rahbani

Public domain
- Name
- Ziad Rahbani
- Born
- 1 January 1956
- Birthplace
- Antelias, Lebanon
- Died
- 26 July 2025
- Place of death
- Beirut, Lebanon
- Occupation
- * Composer
- Nationality
- Lebanon.
- Movements
- left-wing.
- Education
- Collège Notre-Dame de Jamhour.
- Honours
- Commander of the National Order of the Cedar.
- Languages
- Arabic.
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Documentary summary
Ziad Rahbani (1 January 1956 – 26 July 2025) was a Lebanese composer, musician, playwright and political commentator. He was the son of Lebanese singer Fairuz and Lebanese composer Assi Rahbani. Many of his musicals satirize Lebanese Sectarian politics both during and after the Lebanese Civil War, and are often critical of the traditional political establishment.
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Ziad Rahbani (1956–2025) was an actor, composer and jazz musician, among other activities and a national of Lebanon. Born in Antelias, the actor died in Beirut.
Ziad Rahbani studied at Collège Notre-Dame de Jamhour. The actor was associated with left-wing.
Languages used include Arabic. Ziad Rahbani received Commander of the National Order of the Cedar.
Composed from admitted, traceable facts · 29 September 2026
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wikidata · Q3575465 · wikipedia · Ziad Rahbani
In this article
Biography
Biography
He was considered one of the most influential artists in modern Lebanese history, remembered for his wit, creativity, and refusal to conform.
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Ziad Rahbani • Genre — * Arabic music • Lebanese music • opera • jazz • Born — 1 January 1956 • Birthplace — Antelias, Lebanon • Died — 26 July 2025 • Place of death — Beirut, Lebanon • Instrument — * Piano • electronic keyboards • accordion • buzuq • vocals • Occupation — * Composer • writer • musician
Background
Background
• Illustration — Rahbani with his mother in a photo from a 1973 magazine Ziad Rahbani was the son of the Lebanese composer Assi Rahbani and Lebanese singer Fairuz. Rahbani was married to Dalal Karam, with whom he had a boy named "Assi" but he was later found out not to be his biological son. Their relationship later ended in divorce, prompting Karam to write a series of articles for the gossip magazine Ashabaka about their marriage. Rahbani composed a number of songs about their relationship, including "Marba el Dalal" and "Bisaraha". Rahbani had a long-standing relationship with Lebanese leftist movements, and was a self-declared communist, being a lifelong affiliate with the Lebanese Communist Party. Furthermore, in an interview with the journalist Ghassan Bin-Jiddu, Rahbani stated that the bloodbath massacres in the Palestinian camp Tall a-Za’tar by extreme-rightist Christian militias in 1976 was the main reason that drove him to leave to West Beirut. Notwithstanding, he also expressed his support to the Lebanese resistance and its project in the face of "the Israeli occupation and its Zionist Apartheid regime". Coming from a Christian family, his politics and viewpoints were very radical when compared to his right-wing teenage surroundings. Rahbani was popularly understood to be atheist.
Career
Career
Rahbani's first artistic work was "Sadiqi Allah" (My Friend God), a collection of writings between the years 1967 and 1968 when he was in his teens which was released without his knowledge by his father Assi Rahbani. In 1973, at age 17, Rahbani composed his first music for Fairuz, his mother. Assi Rahbani, his father, was hospitalized and his mother Fairuz was to play the leading role in Al Mahatta by the Rahbani brothers. Mansour Rahbani, his uncle, who had written the lyrics of a song about Assi Rahbani's forced absence, gave Ziad Rahbani the task of composing its music. The song "Saalouni El Nass" (People Asked Me) gained Rahbani recognition in the music world. Rahbani appeared for the first time on stage in Al Mahatta where he played the role of the detective. He also appeared later on in the Rahbani Brothers' Mays el Rim in the role of one of the policemen. Rahbani's first step into theatre was with the Bkennaya Theater in Sahriyyeh. He followed that with highly politicized string of plays. "In 'The Harvest of Thorns: Political Comedy Theater in Syria and Lebanon,' Aksam Al-Youssef wrote, "Under these circumstances, as a young adult, Ziad imposed himself on the artistic scene as a playwright, director, composer, pianist, and actor. In a short time, his original theatre would become the center of attention for young people who found in it the voice of a lost generation caught in the throws of war and violence. As an actor, besides appearing in his own plays, Rahbani starred in Randa Chahal Sabbagh's 2003 film The Kite.
Collaborations
Collaborations
Before, during, and after the Lebanese Civil War, Rahbani released and co-released several albums, television programs, radio programs and a children's book consisting of: Bi hal shakel, Abou Ali, Halleluja, Shareet Ghayr Houdoudi, Baadna Taybeen Ullo Allah, Houdou Nesbi, Ana Mouch Kafer, Hakaya al Atfal, Bema Enno, Monodose (with singer Salma Mosfi). and Maaloumat Mush Akidi (with singer Latifa).
Death
Death
Rahbani died at a hospital at approximately 9:00 am (UTC 6:00 am) on 26 July 2025, at the age of 69, reportedly of a heart attack. He had been a chain smoker for most of his life. Culture Minister Ghassan Salamé said Rahbani needed a liver transplant but refused to undergo surgery. On 6 August 2025, the Lebanese Cabinet approved renaming Hafez al-Assad Avenue – which links Beirut to the Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport – to Ziad Rahbani Avenue to honour Rahbani.
Albums for Fairuz
Albums for Fairuz
• Year — Original Title — Translation — Songwriter(s) — Label • 1972 — Sa'alouni Annass (Song from the musical "Al Mahatta") — People Asked Me — Mansour Rahbani Ziad Rahbani — Voix de l'Orient • 1987 — Maarefti Feek — What I Know About You — Assi & Mansour Rahbani Ziad Rahbani Joseph Harb Joaquin Rodrigo — Relax-In • 1989 — Live at the Royal Festival Hall London — Assi & Mansour Rahbani Ziad Rahbani Sayed Darwish — Voix de l'Orient • Khalleek bil Bayt — "Stay at Home" — Ziad Rahbani Assi & Mansour Rahbani Ziad Rahbani Joseph Harb — Relax-In • 1991 — Kifak Inta — How Are You — Ziad Rahbani Joseph Harb — Relax-In • 1995 — Ila Assi — (Dedicated) to Assi — Assi & Mansour Rahbani — Voix de l'Orient • 1999 — Mesh Kayen Hayek Tkoun — You Wasn't Used To Be Like This — Ziad Rahbani Mohamed Mohsen Qays Bin Al Malouh — Relax-In • 2000 — Live at Beiteddine — Assi & Mansour Rahbani Ziad Rahbani Sayed Darwish Mohamed Younes Alqadi — EMI • 2002 — Wala Kif — Les feuilles mortes — Ziad Rahbani Jacques Prévert & Joseph Kosma Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller — Relax-In • 2010 — Eh Fi Amal — Yes There's Hope — Assi & Mansour Rahbani Ziad Rahbani — Fayrouz Productions
Stage and radio
Stage and radio
• Year — Original Title — Translation — Producer — Songwriter(s) — Vocalists — Label — Main Tracks • 1973 — Sahriye — Evening — Ziad Rahbani — Ziad Rahbani — Joseph Sakr Marwan Mahfouz Georgette Sayegh — Voix de l'Orient — Ya Bint Al Maawin Dallouni Al Aynayn Al Soud Fi Oyoun Btebki El Hala Taabana Ya Leila • 1974 — Nazl el sourour — Happiness Hotel — Ziad Rahbani Franz Liszt Gerardo Matos Rodriguez — Ziad Rahbani Joseph Sakr Carmen Lebbos Sami Haouat — Baatilak Ya Habib Al Rouh Jayi Maa Al Shaab Al Maskin Mashi El Hal • 1978 — Bennesbeh Labokra Chou — What About Tomorrow — Ziad Rahbani Joseph Sakr Sami Haouat Nabila Zaitouni — Ziad Rahbani Joseph Sakr Sami Haouat Nabila Zeitouni — Zida — Al Bosta Ismaa Ya Reda • 1980 — Film Ameriki Tawil — The American Motion Picture — Ziad Rahbani — Ziad Rahbani Joseph Sakr Sami Haouat Mona Maraashli — Rajiaa Bi Izn Allah Ya Zaman Al Ta'ifiya • 1985 — Shi Feshil — Failure — Ziad Rahbani Joseph Sakr Sami Haouat Mona Saidun — Voice of Beirut • Ana Mush Kafer — I Am Not an Infidel — Ziad Rahbani Farouq Al Koussa Stephanie Stephano — Relax-In — Ana Mush Kafer • 1986 — Bhal Shakel — Oriental Jazz Concert Live At Buc, Irwin Hall — Ziad Rahbani Frédéric Chopin, Antonio Carlos Jobim Thelonious Monk Charlie Parker — Aprodisco • 1987 — El Akl Zineh — The Mind Is Decorative — Ziad Rahbani — Ziad Rahbani — Sawt Al Shaab • 1992 — Lawla Fushat Al Amal — If It Weren't For Hope — Grace Aoun Toufic Kerbaj — Relax-In • 1993 — Bi Khsous Al Karameh Wal Shaab Al Anid — About Dignity and Stubborn People — Carmen Lebbos • Tabeh La Shi Tebeh Shi — Following Something That's Following Something — Ziad Rahbani Salma Mosfi • 1996 — Al Fasl Al Akher — The Last Part — Ziad Rahbani Antonio Carlos Jobim Astrud Gilberto — Ziad Rahbani Carmen Lebbos Salma Mosfi — Cairo Beirut Audio • 2006 — W Noss Alf 500 — 1000/2=500 — Ziad Rahbani Baz Luhrmann — Bankers Assurance SAL • 2008 — Live at Damascus Citadel — Ziad Rahbani Sayed Darwish Mohamed Younes Al Kadi — Ziad Rahbani Bassel Daoud Rasha Rizk — Art Line
Identity and origins
Identity and origins
His recorded language was Arabic. He was the child of Assi Rahbani and Fairuz. Other recorded relations include Mansour Rahbani, Elias Rahbani, Oussama Rahbani and Ghassan Rahbani.
Life and career
Dated record
Life and career
The full dated record · 1 entries
2025
Ziad Rahbani died at Beirut.
Places
Named by the record
Places
Only places the record itself states, plotted where the house gazetteer settles their coordinates. Nothing is inferred from a name or a nationality.
Antelias.
Birth place
Beirut.
Death place
Studio releases
• Year — Original Title — Translation — Producer — Songwriter(s) — Vocalists — Label — Main Tracks • 1973 — A Rahbani Festival — Ziad Rahbani — Assi & Mansour Rahbani Sayed Darwish — Voix de l'Orient — Allamouni • 1977 — Kyrie Eleison — Ziad Rahbani — Magida El Roumi Samy Clarke Lady Madonna Joseph Sakr Youhanna Al Habib Sader — Nahnou Sahiroun Sayidi • Bil Afrah — Wedding Music — Assi & Mansour Rahbani Ziad Rahbani Sayed Darwish Halim El Roumi Mohamed Sultan — Philips — Zourouni • 1979 — Abu Ali / Prelude (Maxi Single) — Ziad Rahbani — Zida — Prelude From Mays El Rim Abu Ali • Belly Dance Fever — Ziad Rahbani Elias Rahbani — Assi & Mansour Rahbani Ziad Rahbani Elias Rahbani Sayed Darwish — Voix de l'Orient — El Hilwa Di • 1985 — Houdou' Nisbi — Relative Calm — Ziad Rahbani — Ziad Rahbani Joe Sample — Ziad Rahbani Sami Haouat Monica Asali — Bala Wala Shi Rouh Khabbir Khalas • 1987 — Hekaya — Story — Ziad Rahbani Najat Naimeh Abido Basha — Salma Mosfi Carmen Lebbos — --- — Ossat Al Koz • Shrit Gher Hdoudy — Borderless Tape — Ziad Rahbani — Ziad Rahbani Sami Haouat — Aprodisco — Bi Saraha • 1995 — Bema Enno... — Considering That... — Ziad Rahbani — Ziad Rahbani Joseph Sakr Salma Mosfi — Voix de l'Orient — Bema Enno... Talfan Ayash • 2001 — Monodose — Ziad Rahbani Antonio Carlos Jobim Astrud Gilberto — Ziad Rahbani Salma Mosfi — EMI — Un verre chez nous Wallaat Ktir Assaada Allahou Masa'akom
Honours
* • Illustration — Ribbon bar of the National Order of the Cedar, Commander grade Commander of the National Order of the Cedar (Lebanon, July 28, 2025; posthumously).
Literature
Scholarly footprint
A count of publications is evidence of attention, not of standing, and is given here only as a measure.
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Rahbani's 'Oriental Jazz' Is Rooted in Lebanon's Struggle but Scorned by Traditional Arabs. Los Angeles Times. April 14, 1988.
- 2.Ziad Rahbani, renowned Lebanese composer, playwright, and son of iconic singer Fayrouz, passed away at the age of 69. AP News. 2025-07-06.
- 3.Ziad Rahbani, Lebanese musical giant and sardonic critic, dead at 69. Reuters. 2025-07-06.
- 4.Tributes pour in as Lebanese musician Ziad Rahbani dies at 69. arabnews.com. 2025-07-26.
- 5.Ziad biography. Nogomi Stars.
- 6.Fairouz our ambassador to the Stars. Al Mashriq.
- 7.Marba el Dalal. Amazon.
- 8.Bisaraha. Amazon.
- 9.Haugbolle, Sune. The Leftist, the Liberal, and the Space in Between: Ziad Rahbani and Everyday Ideology. The Arab Studies Journal. 24. 1. 168–190. 2016. 1083-4753.
- 10.Ziad Rahbani: The Artist Whose Biography Tells Lebanon's History. Fanack.com.
- 11.Ziad Rahbani – communisme – athéisme. 4 March 2007.
- 12.As'ad, AbuKhalil. The Cult of Ziad Rahbani. al-akhbar. 2012-10-08.
- 13.Ziad Al Rahbani زياد الرحباني. Arab Tunes. 25 March 2019.
- 14.Interview with Ziad Rahbani by Lorka Sbaity. 29 March 2014.
- 15.Alyousef, Aksam. "Harvesting Thorns": Comedy as Political Theatre in Syria and Lebanon. ERA. Fall 2020.
- 16.Sa'alouni El Nas. Amazon.
- 17.Mays el Rim. YouTube. 2 April 2012.
- 18.Sahriye. iTunes.
- 19.Alyousef, Aksam. "Harvesting Thorns": Comedy as Political Theatre in Syria and Lebanon. ERA. Fall 2020.
- 20.Ziad Rahbani on iTunes. iTunes.
- 21.Ziad Rahbani, pioneering Lebanese musician and composer, dies at 69. Al Jazeera.
- 22.Revealing the Illness That Ended Ziad Rahbani's Life. Roya TV.
- 23.Beirut Avenue Renamed in Honor of Ziad Rahbani. MTV Lebanon.
References
Citations
References
Each reference names the institution holding it, so a reader may go to the document itself.
reference work
Wikidata, structured authority record Q3575465: Ziad RahbaniWikimedia Foundation
Partially resolvedreference work
Partially resolved
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 14 August 2026.
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