Ziad Rahbani, the visionary Lebanese composer, playwright, and political satirist, passed away on Saturday, July 26, 2025. He was 69 years old. Rahbani died at a hospital in Beirut after a long illness. The hospital announced that his heart had stopped beating at 9:00 a.m. that day.
Ziad, the eldest son of renowned singer Fairuz and composer Assi Rahbani, was born in Antelias, outside Beirut, in 1956. He had extraordinary talent from a young age, composing his first musical composition at the age of 17. His mother played several of his pieces at her concerts, mixing Lebanese culture with Western elements.
Ziad Rahbani was a prominent cultural figure in Lebanon. He was recognized for combining classical, jazz, and Oriental music to create what he dubbed “Oriental jazz.” His paintings captured Lebanon’s social and political reality, particularly during the civil war. His theatrical works mixed comedy with strong political critique.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun described Rahbani as “not just an artist, but a complete intellectual and cultural phenomenon.” Aoun honored him for being “a living conscience, a rebellious voice against injustice, and an honest mirror reflecting the suffering and marginalized” .
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam stated that Lebanon has lost “an exceptional artist and creative” who spoke “what many don’t dare to say.” Culture Minister Ghassan Salame stated that Rahbani’s health had deteriorated and that his willingness to take therapy was waning prior to his death.
Rahbani’s art has left a long impact in Lebanon, resonating emotionally with those who lived through the civil war as well as those who are still dealing with the aftermath.
