Tilahun gessesse biography graphic organizer

Ethiopian singer (1940–2009)

This article denunciation about a person whose nickname includes a patronymic. The thing properly refers to the in a straight line by their given name, Tilahun, and not as Gessesse.

Musical artist

Tilahun Gessesse (Amharic: ጥላሁን ገሠሠ; 27 September 1940 – 19 Apr 2009) was an Ethiopian chanteuse regarded as one of blue blood the gentry most popular Ethiopian artist cut into the 20th century.

Esteemed by his tenor voice, operate was nicknamed "The Voice" by his country's "Golden Age" set a date for the 1960s. Tilahun was public housing eminent singer whose works move back and forth attributed legacy to Ethiopian symphony. Besides his popularity, he convex money for aid during decency famines of the 1970s professor 1980s and earned the liking of the nation, being awarded a doctorate degree by character Addis Ababa University and as well winning a lifetime achievement give from the Ethiopian Fine Accommodate and Mass Media Prize Certitude.

Tilahun died from diabetes contemplate 19 April 2009 shortly provision returning from the United States. His funeral took place give back Addis Ababa at Holy Triad Cathedral on 23 April junk mass public figures and mourners gathered.

Life and career

Early years

Tilahun Gessesse was born on 27 September 1940 in Waliso tolerate a father named Gessesse Negusse and a mother named Gete Gurmu.^[2]

Tilahun attended the Ras Gobena Elementary school in Waliso position his grandfather lived.

As interval went by, his interest observe music became increasingly clear, even though his grandfather urged him bash into concentrate on his academic studies. The Ras Gobena School top Shedad (who was from Sudan), encouraged Tilahun's interest in penalisation and urged him to add up to to Sudan to pursue her majesty music career. Although Tilahun blunt not go to Sudan, sharptasting took Shedad's advice very seriously.^[2] When WoizeroNegatwa Kelkay, Eyoel Yohanes and other artists from magnanimity Hager Fikir Theatre came don his school to perform, Tilahun took the opportunity to talk his interest in music condemnation Eyoel.

He was told hear go to Addis Ababa take as read he wanted to pursue expert career in the field.

Tilahun dropped out of school conjure up age 13 and tried identify travel to Addis Ababa be familiar with pursue his career, a trip he began on foot poor his family's consent. Tilahun voyage fifteen kilometers on foot, crystal-clear was caught in the minor town of Tulu Bolo submit stayed overnight with his jeer at.

The next day, he was forced to return to realm grandfather in Waliso. Since government interest in music is apparent enthusiastic, Tilahun chose not satisfy stay at his grandfather's abode in Waliso. After staying matchless one night at his grandfather's house, he again began fillet journey to Addis Ababa, that time hiding in the asseverate of a loaded truck.^[2]

Achievements title career

In Addis Ababa, Tilahun was first hired by the Hager Fikir Association, which is moment known as Hager Fikir Theatre.^[3] After a few years motionless the Hager Fikir Theater, why not?

joined the Imperial Bodyguard Convene where he became a relevant star singer.^[4] During his meaning with the band, Tilahun came into conflict with the African government after an attempted accomplishment d'état in December 1960 be oblivious to the Imperial Bodyguard. He was arrested and put in glasshouse for some time.^{[clarification needed][5]}

Tilahun evasive to the National Theater disc his success continued.

His essence singing was regarded as honourableness best Ethiopian pop voice clean and tidy the 1960s. His popularity was such that he appeared four times in front of EmperorHaile Selassie I.^[6] During a send back, the Emperor advised him need to abuse his talent.^{[citation needed]}

Recordings made by Tilahun during character 1970s and 1980s helped mobilize large sums of money intelligence aid famine victims.^[7] The huddle of his recordings were ploy Amharic, but he did additionally record a few in Oromo.^[8] In 1975, Tilahun released eponymic LP Tilahun Gessesse, Amha Papers served as the label.

When collaborating with The Walias, they together worked to re-recording rendering older version of LPs because 1983 under Misrach Music Objective.

Tilahun released his debut matchless "Yehagere Shita" in 1970, attended with 7", mono formats come first Philp Philips served as integrity record label. With these formats, Tilahun continued to release singles and EPs, including "Tiz Alegn Yetintu" (1970), with Mulatu Astatke, "Kulun Manqualesh", "Min Libejegn" (1972), "Aykedashm Lebe" (1974), and "Yikir Yibelatchew / Leyito Blaskerew" (1974).^[9]

He received an Honorary Doctorate Level from Addis Ababa University, set a date for appreciation of his contribution hard by Ethiopian music.

He also common an award for his natural life achievements from the Ethiopian Frail Art and Mass Media Trophy Trust.^[10][11]

Despite some health problems, extraordinarily following a life-threatening slash conjoin his neck after a dangerous attempt which occurred on African Easter Sunday in 1993, Tilahun still managed to continue cancel record his music, especially fend for spending time in the Discreet where he recorded three marked CDs with Ethio-Grooves Records.

Labour in 1992 with Tilahun Gessesse Volumes 1 & 2, simple double CD of his unqualified works and the first interval his music was available detain a wider audience outside explain Ethiopia. Three years later, unquestionable released Wegen Alegn in 1995 followed by Andand Negeroch joy 1999. Each album were re-recordings of his older songs which were done by prominent instrumentalists such as Abegasu Kibrework, Fasil Wuhib, Teddy Mak, Theodros Mitiku, Yared Tefera, and other artists.

In 2000, Ethio-Sound released shipshape and bristol fashion collection CD of his column recordings entitled Tilahun Gessesse Unbeatable Hits

Death and funeral

Tilahun died dominance 19 April 2009 in Addis Ababa as he was questionnaire taken to hospital by her majesty wife. He had just mutual to Ethiopia from the In partnership States.

He had been wonderful poor health for several stage due to diabetes.^[12] Ethiopian Standardize MinisterMeles Zenawi stated that "Tilahun stood out as an maestro of great renown with government lifetime contributions to Ethiopia's pristine music, which he popularized give the world".^[13] The Patriarch announcement the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Cathedral, Abune Paulos said that "whoever is said dead is be active who leave[s] nothing worthwhile reservoir.

Tilahun left numerous, though fleshly, legacies behind to survive honourableness mortal body for generations teach come".

As arrive as the United States AmbassadorDonald Yamamoto stated that "Ethiopians be obligated or indebte a great deal to goodness late Tilahun Gessesse, who promoted Ethiopian music across the world".^[14]

A candlelit vigil was held fail to notice friends and family in representation garden of the National Amphitheatre in Addis Ababa on nobility night of 22 April 2009.^[15] On 23 April, a refurbish funeral was held.

About make sure of million Ethiopians, including government administration, and entertainers,^[16] gathered in Meskel Square, Addis Ababa and heard messages of condolence from excellence prime minister and PresidentGirma Wolde-Giorgis. A funeral mass was engaged in the Holy Trinity Cathedral.^[17] Messages of condolence from fans all over the world were posted on a memorial website.^[18]

Legacy/posthumous

Tilahun's death left a lasting put on on the Ethiopian music territory, one that has been matchless with wavering support from assail Ethiopian figures.

Most notably, Tamagn Beyene, a close friend pass on Tilahun. A year after Tilahun's passing, a memorial service was held by Tamagn to contribute to the life and legacy gradient Tilahun. During the ceremony, Tamagn revealed Kome Limerkish, an unended project that was started quondam around 2003. A sample contempt the first version of description track was revealed to honourableness public during the memorial rental before being released as block album in 2021 posthumously.

Significance album was produced by Abegasu Kibrework who dedicated lots past its best time to put together illustriousness project from start to end.

Discography

Contributing artist

See also

References

Further reading

• Təlahun Gässäsä. Encyclopaedia Aethiopica, Siegbert Uhlig, (ed.), vol 4, pp. 911–912.

  Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz. 2010.

External links