Ahmad Zahir
| Ahmad Zahir | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Ahmad Toryalai Zahir |
| Also known as | Afghanistan's Bulbul |
| Born |
14 June 1946 Kabul, Afghanistan |
| Died | 14 June 1979 (aged 33) Salang Tunnel, Parwan/Baghlan, Afghanistan |
| Genres | Rock, pop, classic |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, composer |
| Instruments | Harmonium, piano, accordion, acoustic guitar |
| Years active | 1964–1979 |
| Labels | Afghan Music, Aj Musik, EMI, Music Center |
Ahmad Zahir (Persian: احمد ظاهر – Aḥmad Zāhir; 14 June 1946 – 14 June 1979) was a singer, songwriter, and composer from Afghanistan. Among his fans, he is considered an icon of Afghan music and is sometimes called the "King of Afghan music and Afghan Star Elvis". His songs are mostly in Dari Persian and based on Persian poems, although a few are in Pashto. Zahir composed and performed rock and pop music, in a similar style to Elvis Presley. Today, he is regarded as one of the greatest persons in Afghan culture and history.
Zahir was born on 14 June 1946 (Jauza 24, 1325 of the Jalali calendar) in Kabul, Afghanistan, to a Pashtun family from Laghman. His father, Abdul Zahir, was a royal court doctor who served as minister of health and Prime Minister of Afghanistan between 1971 and 1972. He was a speaker of the parliament and an influential figure in King Zahir Shah's era who helped write the 1964 Constitution of Afghanistan.
Zahir attended Habibia High School in Kabul in the early 1960s. He sang and played the accordion in a band mainly consisting of his friends and classmates including Omar Sultan on guitar, Khalil Ragheb drum, Farid Zaland on congas and Akbar Nayab on piano. The band later became known as the amateur band of Habibia High School and performed in local concerts during celebratory occasions like Nowruz, Eid ul-Fitr, and Afghan Independence Day.
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