Farid al-Atrash

Farid al-Atrash was a Syrian-Egyptian singer, composer, and actor who immigrated to Egypt with his mother and siblings at the age of nine. He studied music under several respected musicians and became a popular singer, oud player, and composer for the Egyptian radio. He also starred in many musical films with his sister Asmahan, who was also a talented singer. He was known for his deep voice, his authentic style, and his extensive use of the oud. He recorded over 500 songs and composed many of them himself. He was sometimes referred to as the "king of the oud" and one of the most important figures of 20th-century Arab music. He died of a heart attack in Beirut in 1974.