CHEIKH IMAM - Cheikh Imam

2009-05-19T17:09:00.000-07:00

IMAM MOHAMMAD AHMAD EISSA or SHEIKH IMAM (July 2, 1918 – June 7, 1995) was a famous Egyptian composer and singer. For most of his life, he formed a duo with the famous Egyptian colloquial poet Ahmed Fouad Negm. Together, they were known for their political songs in favor of the poor and the working classes.

Life and career
Cheikh Imam was born to a poor family in the Egyptian village of Abul Numrus in Giza. He lost his sight when he was a child. At the age of five he joined a recitation class, where he memorized the Qur’an. He later moved to Cairo to study where he led a dervish life. In Cairo, Cheikh Imam met Sheikh Darwish el-Hareery, a prominent musical figure at that time, who taught him the basics of music and muwashshah singing. He then worked with the Egyptian composer Zakariyya Ahmad. At that time, he expressed interest in Egyptian folk songs especially those by SAYED DARWISH and Abdou el-HAMOULY. He also performed at weddings and birthdays.

In 1962 he met the Egyptian poet AHMED FOUAD NEGM. For many years, they formed a duo composing and singing political songs, mostly in favor of the poor oppressed classes and indicting the ruling classes. Though their songs were banned on Egyptian Radio and Television stations, they were popular among ordinary people in the 1960s and 1970s. Their revolutionary songs criticizing the government after the 1967 war led them to imprisonment and detention several times. In the mid 80s Cheikh Imam performed several concerts in France, Britain, Lebanon, Tunisia, Libya and Algeria. Later Imam and Negm broke up after several disagreements. Cheikh Imam died at the age of 78 after a long illness.

Famous songs
"Masr Ya Bahia" (Pretty Egypt).
"Guevara mat" (Che Guevara is dead).
"el-Fellahin" (The peasants).
'Ye'eesh ahl balady" (Long live the people of my country).
"Sharaft ya Nixon baba" (welcome father Nixon)
"An mawdou' el-foul w el-lahma"(About the issue of Ful Medames and meat).
"Baqaret Haha" (Haha the cow).
"Valery Giscar d'Estan" (Valéry Giscard d'Estaing)
"Sign el-alaa" ( Citadel prison ).
"Sabah el-khaer ya Tehran" ( Good morning Tehran).
"Gaezat Nobel" (Nobel prize).

By Wikipedia

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IMAM MOHAMMED AHMED ISSA né le 2 juillet 1918 dans le village d'Aboul Namres (Gizeh) - mort en juin 1995 - était un chanteur-compositeur égyptien. Il est né dans une famille pauvre et est le premier garçon à survivre après la mort de sept de ses frères avant lui. Il a un frère et une sœur plus petits que lui. A l'age de 1 an, il devient aveugle à la suite d'une ophtalmie mal soignée. En 1962 il rencontre Ahmed Fouad Najm avec lequel il devient ami. Il travaillera avec lui jusqu'à sa mort. Après la Nakba en 1967, il commence à écrire des chansons révolutionnaires et à critiquer les responsables de la défaite ce qui lui coûte de nombreux séjours en prison. Il n'est relaché qu'après l'assassinat de Anwar Al-Sadat en 1981. Dans les années 80 , il est invité par le ministère de la culture de France pour donner des concerts et effectue des tournées en Europe.

Cheikh Imam - sheikh Imam

CHEIKH IMAM - Cheikh Imam