THE LIFE OF GOOGOOSH
“From Iran’s Daughter to the Queen of Iran”
Googoosh is one of Iran’s most enduring and infamous entertainers. Born Faegheh Atashin in Tehran (Iran) in 1950, Googoosh grew up with the support of her entertainer father. Her artistic aspirations were supported by her father so much so that she was encouraged to perform at some of Tehran’s largest cafes and bars from the age of 3. Throughout the decades, she played in successful blockbuster movies such as Hope and Fear (1960) and The Runaway Angel (1961), a film by George Obadiah. Throughout her journey she was discovered by Iranian composers and very shortly
after that, due to her unique voice and style, she established herself as a pop culture icon in the Iranian music industry. Her first ever single in 1968 was the highest selling record in Iranian history. She soon became the most expensive performing and recording artist in Iran, releasing 150 records between 1968 to 1979. Throughout the 70’s Googoosh starred in numerous large blockbuster films and amonst them Bita (1972), Honeymoon (1976) Fellow Traveler (1975), and Along the Night (1978) were the most popular. Her acting career ended with the 1979 revolution in Iran.
THE COMEBACK
“Googoosh’s 21 year silence was the loudest protest in Iranian artistic history”
As Googoosh’s popularity grew, the oppression regime was also gaining power and by 1979, Iran was declared an Islamic republic and women were no longer permitted to sing in public. Due to the newly formed Iranian regime Googoosh was sentenced to a 21- year house arrest.
Googoosh was a voice and symbol for many and at that time this much power for an individual (specially a woman) was forbidden. Due to all of these restrictions Googoosh was forced to put down the microphone and not allowed to be seen on TV or in films. after 21 years she broke her silence and shocked the world announcing an enormous global tour in which there was a 28 piece band Accompanying her at some of the world’s biggest and most respected venues. She has also sang in several markets and languages such as English, French, Armenian, Arabic, Turkish, Italian and Spanish.
Googoosh has successfully performed in some of the world’s bespoke and most prestigious venues such as:
Staples centre Los angeles, Great western Forum in Los Angeles, Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles, Honda Civic Centre in Orange County, Oberhausen Arena in Germany, Royal Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Royal Albert Hall in London, MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Madison Square Garden in New York, Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Global arena in Stockholm, Sydney Convention Centre, World Trade Centre in Dubai, Opera House in Dubai, Beacon Theatre in New York, Dar Constitutional Hall in Washington DC, Istanbul Congress Centre in Turkey, Hamalir Yerevan in Armenia, Sport Place Tbilisi in Georgia
In 2018 Googoosh started her world tour named “Memory Makers Tour” accompanied by three of the greatest Iranian music legends namely Hassan Shamaizadeh (Singer-Songwriter/Producer), Ardalan Sarfaraz (Songwriter & Poet) and Manouchehr Cheshmazar (Producer/Arranger & Music Director).
The North American part of the world tour is organized by Live Nation.
THE LEGACY
With a legacy lasting over 60 years, and after 21 years of silence, still to this day Googoosh is the biggest and most celebrated artistic phenomenon to come out of Iran, ranging from music to cinema.
ACHIEVEMENTS:
She has won 2 awards from Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles for record breaking performances.
Awarded the best Iranian female singer in 2014 from World music award.
Best Female actress in 1973.
In 1971, first prize and golden record at the Midem trade fair in Cannes for her 7” record (as “Googoosh”) featuring two songs in French
produced by Barclay.
Googoosh’s return to the stage after 21 years.
Googoosh
THE DAUGHTER, THE VOICE, THE QUEEN THE SYMBOL
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