عبد الحليم - شوووووف الدنيا يا قلبي ... حلوة ...حلوة ... حلوة حلوة أزاي بالحب ... بالحب يا قلبي Abd eldel Halim Ali Shabana - Commonly know as Abdel Halim Hafez عبدالحليم علي شبانة Arabic:‎ عبد الحليم حافظ (June 21, 1929 -- March 30, 1977), is among the most popular Egyptian and Arab singers and performers. In addition to singing, Halim was also an actor, conductor, business man, music teacher and movie producer. He is considered to be one of the Great Four of Arabic music (along with Umm Kulthum, Mohammed Abdel Wahab, and Farid Al Attrach).His name is sometimes written as 'Abd el-Halim Hafez. He is known as el-Andaleeb el-Asmar (The Great Dark-Skinned Nightingale, Arabic: العندليب الأسمر‎. He is also known as an icon in modern Arabic music.[1][10] His music is still played daily throughout the Arab world. His songs influenced the 2011 Egyptian revolution.] Born in El-Halawat, in Al Sharqia Governorate, 80 kilometres (50 miles) north of Cairo, Kingdom of Egypt as Abdel Halim Ali Shabana, he was the fourth child of Sheikh Ali Ismail Shabana. He had two brothers, Ismail and Mohammed, and one sister, Aliah. His mother died from labour complications three days after giving birth to him - something that made people around him believe that he was bad luck. His father died five months later leaving him and his siblings orphaned at a young age. He lived in a poor orphanage for a period of time.[4] He was later raised by his aunt and uncle in Cairo. During these years Abdel Halim was extremely poor. While singing in clubs in Cairo, Abdel Halim was drafted as a last-minute substitute when the singer Karem Mahmoud was unable to sing a scheduled live radio performance in 1953.[17] Abdel Halim's performance was heard by Mohammed Abdel Wahab, the supervisor of musical programming for Egyptian national radio. Abdel Halim took 'Hafez', Abdel Wahab's first name, as his stage-surname in recognition of his patronage.[2] In collaboration with composer Mohammed Abdel Wahab, Abdel Halim went on to produce many popular love songs such as Ahwak ("I adore you"), Nebtedi Minen el Hekaya ("If we were to tell the story"), and Fatet Ganbina( "She passed by us"). Hafez also worked with Egyptian poet Mohammed Hamza on songs including Zay el Hawa ("It feels like love"), Sawah ("Wanderer"), Hawel Teftekerni ("Try to remember me"), Aye Damiet Hozn ("Any tear of sadness"), and Mawood ("Destined"). During his career, he was very popular and always performed in sold-out arenas and stadiums.[20] Despite his popularity, he rarely released a studio album in his life as he was purely a live singer.[8] He also played many different instruments very well, including the oboe, drums, piano, oud, clarinet and guitar.[4] He was involved in all aspects of the creation of his songs.[1] Halim brought many new instruments to the Arab World.[2] He was known for his deep passion in his songs and his highly unique and rare voice.[1][8] He always sang from true and honest feelings deep inside.[4] Halim did performances in almost every country in the Arabic world and some performances outside the Arabic world including several concerts in Europe.[1] Also, he sung uplifting patriotic songs for not just Egypt, but many other countries in the Arab World such as Lebanon, Syria, Tunisa, Morocco and much more.[19] He used to encourage and help many young artists and actors to become successful At the age of 11, Abdel Halim contacted schistosomiasis[4]—a rare parasitic water-borne disease[9]—and was extremely periodically and painfully afflicted by it for most of his career. Despite this, he remained positive and never stopped creating and performing his songs.[24] Nevertheless, he also was always there for his country despite the illness.[24] Abdel Halim never married, although rumors persist that he was secretly married to actress Soad Hosny for six years. This has never been proven by anyone. People who were close to both singers declined this rumor.[30][31] Halim often gave money and food to charity, and to the poor directly, all through his life.[4] Halim frequently went to orphanages and hospitals all over the Middle East to donate money, teach music, and help the people there.[4] In 1969 Halim built a hospital in Egypt to help people. He made the poor, the rich, and presidents all alike in the Arab world.[24] Abdel Halim established strong friendships with many contemporary presidents and kings of the Eastern world, including Gamel Abdul Nasser of Egypt, and King Hassan II of Morocco.[4][11] He also had very close friendships with most Egyptian poets

• published: 21 Feb 2014