Ghassan Rahbani
Encyclopedia
Ghassan Elias Rahbani Lebanon
aka gassan
producer, song writer, composer, arranger, orchestra conductor, pianist & performer.
- Married to Dalida Chammai and they have 3 little girls: Christy Cindy and Mia . Gassan was raised in a family of musicians (his father Elias Rahbani) . Gassan started composing music at the early age of 7. One year earlier, and at the age of 6, Gassan started his classical piano courses under the guidance of Mr. Agop Arslanian, followed by Solfege, theory, both traditional & modern harmony, contrepoint, fugue, musical analysis & orchestration.
-Gassan Rahbani has released a total of 18 albums and 1 DVD box named the GRG Trilogy, 12 of the albums are under the name of GRG which stands for the " Gassan Rahbani Group" .
-In 1976 and At the age of 11, Gassan sang along with his brother "Jad" the famous LP record composed by "Elias RAHBANI" that contains 13 of what became the most famous kid's songs on which we all grew up such as: Kellon Indoun Sayarat , Tole3 Eddaou al Wawi, Ammi Bou Massoud...etc
-Gassan is a Pioneer of Heavy Metal music in Lebanon & the Middle East. He spent the first 10 years of his career exclusively producing,writing & composing this genre of music. Gassan started his activities at the age of 15 by launching his first album (in English) followed by the second & third albums at the age of 16 as a solo artist.
- In 1981 and at the age of 17, Gassan formed along with George Hayek (Guitars & Vocals), Fida Zalloom (bass), and Tony Samaha (Drums & Vocals) , a band called "WILD HAZE". The band was formed during the climax of the Lebanese war which resulted in heavily affecting Gassan's ideas in Heavy Metal music. The "WILD HAZE's" first album, "AT LAST THE FIRST", was Gassan's fourth album, and was the very first Heavy Metal album released in English in the Middle East under the name of a band & not as a solo artist. This album was never released because of internal conflict and ended up making its appearance only on Cassettes. The "WILD HAZE" performed at Mont La Salle (1983) and at George V theater (1984). The band broke up in 1984.
-In the same year, Gassan created "GRG" ,THE GASSAN RAHBANI GROUP. "GRG" took the audience by storm specially with its one step ahead performances & stage appearances starting with the unforgettable "Dog river rock concert" in 1985, followed by " The Casino du Liban rock concert" in 1986, Mont La Salle open air concert in 1987 and 1988, North Lebanon open air 1987 ,Coral beach open air 1988 and George V theater concert ,Adonis in 1989.
-many musicians performed for "GRG" ...
Guitarists : Marwan Nahle, Habib Sleilati, Mario Ashy, Kabalan Samaha, Nabil Heshy, George Hayek & Alain McDessi.
Keyboardists : Jad Rahbani, Hadi Charara, Jean-Claude Issa.
Bass : Anto Katerjian, Tarek Kabbani, Andre Segone, Roger Abi Akl & Richard Fawaz.
Drumers : Nanoo Khoory (May he rest in peace), Tony Samaha, Ramsey Khattar, Michel Matar, Johnny Badran, Samy Jureidini, Waleed Taweel & Sako Sagherian.
The current "GRG" members are : Anto Katerjian (Manager), Gassan Rahbani (Keyboards & lead vocals), Alain Makdessi (All Guitars), Richard Fawaz (Bass) and Sako Sagherian (Drums)
- In 1987 Gassan Rahbani won the press prize in the International song contest that took place in Sopot – Poland after performing 2 of his English compositions.
- In 1990 the imposed "fake peace" in Lebanon pushed GR to express his pain, thoughts & ideas in the Lebanese Language besides the English songs, defending ecology & criticizing authorities, Lebanese & Arab governors. In this field "GRG" scored lots of hits written & composed by GR such as : Vitamine, Mamnooh, Kossitna bhal mujtamaa (Lyrics Ghady Rahbani Music Ossama Rahbani), Baladyyet Beirut (Lyrics Assad Rustom & Mr Mansoor Rahbani Music Ossama Rahbani), Shteghel, Iza Zaajak Sheelo, Wen'elkon nehna meen, Tareek el mataar, Maaly Lwazeer, Sentel 2000 part one & two & El jamhoor aayez kidah.
- 1992 GRG opened for "Alphaville" in a live outdoor concert at Mont La Salle, Lebanon
- 1997 GRG opened for " Scorpions" in their " pure instinct world tour at the Forum, Beirut, Lebanon.
- Between 1992 and 1995 GRG toured in an extremely successful Rock tour all over Lebanon performing 15 live concerts taking place in Summertime only.
- The year 1996 was a big turning point in GR's artistic career. It was the year of his first historical rock opera musical epic "HANNIBAL" which he wrote & composed and was directed by Mr. Yacoob Shedrawi. This historical epic played around 11 months in Lebanon & then moved to Tunisia for 5 performances inaugurating both the 33rd Carthage summer festival & the Madina festival in Tunis, then moved again to Lebanon at the Byblos International festival , Ghassan Saleeba played Hannibal's role, Joseph Boo Nassar played Scipio Africanus, Ranya El Hage played Imilsa, Pierre Dagher played Maharbaal along with 111 actors & dancers. "HANNIBAL" is considered to be a turning point in the Lebanese & Arab theater because it dealt with it from different angles. These points included massive renovations made in the "HANNIBAL" epic such as realizing the entire life of a hero from birth until death, all within 2 hours. Scenes were worked from a cinematic point of view, the first to show real battles among soldiers fighting on stage, a rock opera mood and mixing hard rock and classical music.
-"The 4 CATS" band, was his innovation that was formed in late 1997. Until today "The 4 Cats" is still going strong with its new image.
-In 2000, GR played the role of Judas in "And He rose on the third day" musical by Ossama Rahbani, written by Mr . Mansour Rahbani & directed by Marwan Rahbani.
- GR has more than 260 English & Lebanese recorded songs (140 English, 120 oriental).
- Gassan has recorded 3 movie soundtracks. More than 60 live indoor & outdoor concerts were performed until the present day in Lebanon & all around the Middle East.
- In June 2001, Ziad Rahbani & GR joined together in the "Mneeha" concert at "Mont la Salle" performing for about 10,000 spectators in two consecutive nights.
-In 2002 GRG released its Heavy Metal music video in Lebanese called "El Jamhoor Ayez Kidah"
- February 2003 GRG released a special Valentine album and music video R'n'B style in English called "Without Ur Love" shot in Beirut with lot's of kissessssssssssss…….
-In 2003 LBCI produced the GRG music video "Karn El Alfen" (part III of "Sent El Alfen", Song) Shot in Beirut in the BUS, the classical part shot in Saint Joseph Cathedral, Monot, with the collaboration of 100 Choir and 40 members of the Lebanese Symphonic Orchestra, this song was although written composed and arranged by Gassan and of course it was an honor for GRG to have Mr Elias Rahbani as a special guest in this music video.
- In 2003 GRG released the "Al Bayda Wil Takshira" Album containing 15 tracks all in Lebanese, talking about politics, ecology etc...The album was produced and composed by Gassan.
-In November 2003 Gassan Rahbani launched his new play called "Kama Aala El Ared, Kazalika ...Min Fawk", " On earth as above", at the Casino du Liban Theater , the Story was created,written, composed, arranged, directed, recorded, mixed and having the main role played by Gassan with the female leading role played by Ranya El Hage starring Pierre dagher and Rodney El Haddad in collaboration with Fady Reaydi, with more than 70 actors, Dancers & Technicians...
-In 2006 GRG released its English Heavy Metal album called "www.redpeace.braindamage" containing 16 tracks from heavy to blues and ballades . In the same year ( 2006) Gassan shot and performed the music video "Kermal laam Bimootoo" lyrics & music by Elias Rahbani.
-In 2007 GRG released the political music video "el horriyeh bi'id el khawaja btejrah". The same year (2007) Gassan signed the soundtrack of the 4cats movie "Lion and 4 cats".
- In Spring 2008, GR wrote and released the music video "nahna hon min 3ich" dedicated to the Armenian people" and directed by Fouad Khoury. In the same year ( Summer 2008), GR wrote and released the music video "Bisharafkon Hada Yharkech".
-In 2008 the Ghanni Maa Ghassan TV show was and still is a one of a kind music show for talented individuals and ranks as number one in ratings on both OTV and New TV.
-In 2009 Gassan directed the musical "EELA" which was written, composed and produced by Mr Elias Rahbani. The same year ( 2009) GR produced and wrote the English music video "Come back to me" taken from the www.redpeace.braindamage album, and in 2009 GRG released their double album untitled " www.redpeace.braindamage" version 2.
-In 2009 GR produced and released the GRG trilogy DVD set, containing the complete series of GRG's music videos in a 3 DVD box.
- In Summer 2010 GR along with Melhem Barakat, launched their new musical play,"WAMINA EL HOBBI MA KATAL", " TOO MUCH LOVE KILLS" at the International Baalback Festival which was created, composed and performed by Melhem Barakat and Gassan Rahbani, female leading role by Ranya El Hage in collaboration with Pierre Chamoun and Ali El Khalil. The play was written and directed by Gassan and involved more than 120 artists.
- Winter 2010, GR won the first prize in the french Charles trenet's international songs contest held in Paris france, presenting the song "Fruit interdit" Lyrics and performance by Grace Zeitounian, music and arr by GR.
-2011, the "Ghanni maa Ghassan" Program is still going strong in its fifth season on "New TV" (Al Jadeed tv), in addition, GR produced and released the "Ghanni maa Ghassan" album containing the songs he composed for the winners in seasons one , two and three
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
aka gassan
producer, song writer, composer, arranger, orchestra conductor, pianist & performer.
- Married to Dalida Chammai and they have 3 little girls: Christy Cindy and Mia . Gassan was raised in a family of musicians (his father Elias Rahbani) . Gassan started composing music at the early age of 7. One year earlier, and at the age of 6, Gassan started his classical piano courses under the guidance of Mr. Agop Arslanian, followed by Solfege, theory, both traditional & modern harmony, contrepoint, fugue, musical analysis & orchestration.
-Gassan Rahbani has released a total of 18 albums and 1 DVD box named the GRG Trilogy, 12 of the albums are under the name of GRG which stands for the " Gassan Rahbani Group" .
-In 1976 and At the age of 11, Gassan sang along with his brother "Jad" the famous LP record composed by "Elias RAHBANI" that contains 13 of what became the most famous kid's songs on which we all grew up such as: Kellon Indoun Sayarat , Tole3 Eddaou al Wawi, Ammi Bou Massoud...etc
-Gassan is a Pioneer of Heavy Metal music in Lebanon & the Middle East. He spent the first 10 years of his career exclusively producing,writing & composing this genre of music. Gassan started his activities at the age of 15 by launching his first album (in English) followed by the second & third albums at the age of 16 as a solo artist.
- In 1981 and at the age of 17, Gassan formed along with George Hayek (Guitars & Vocals), Fida Zalloom (bass), and Tony Samaha (Drums & Vocals) , a band called "WILD HAZE". The band was formed during the climax of the Lebanese war which resulted in heavily affecting Gassan's ideas in Heavy Metal music. The "WILD HAZE's" first album, "AT LAST THE FIRST", was Gassan's fourth album, and was the very first Heavy Metal album released in English in the Middle East under the name of a band & not as a solo artist. This album was never released because of internal conflict and ended up making its appearance only on Cassettes. The "WILD HAZE" performed at Mont La Salle (1983) and at George V theater (1984). The band broke up in 1984.
-In the same year, Gassan created "GRG" ,THE GASSAN RAHBANI GROUP. "GRG" took the audience by storm specially with its one step ahead performances & stage appearances starting with the unforgettable "Dog river rock concert" in 1985, followed by " The Casino du Liban rock concert" in 1986, Mont La Salle open air concert in 1987 and 1988, North Lebanon open air 1987 ,Coral beach open air 1988 and George V theater concert ,Adonis in 1989.
-many musicians performed for "GRG" ...
Guitarists : Marwan Nahle, Habib Sleilati, Mario Ashy, Kabalan Samaha, Nabil Heshy, George Hayek & Alain McDessi.
Keyboardists : Jad Rahbani, Hadi Charara, Jean-Claude Issa.
Bass : Anto Katerjian, Tarek Kabbani, Andre Segone, Roger Abi Akl & Richard Fawaz.
Drumers : Nanoo Khoory (May he rest in peace), Tony Samaha, Ramsey Khattar, Michel Matar, Johnny Badran, Samy Jureidini, Waleed Taweel & Sako Sagherian.
The current "GRG" members are : Anto Katerjian (Manager), Gassan Rahbani (Keyboards & lead vocals), Alain Makdessi (All Guitars), Richard Fawaz (Bass) and Sako Sagherian (Drums)
- In 1987 Gassan Rahbani won the press prize in the International song contest that took place in Sopot – Poland after performing 2 of his English compositions.
- In 1990 the imposed "fake peace" in Lebanon pushed GR to express his pain, thoughts & ideas in the Lebanese Language besides the English songs, defending ecology & criticizing authorities, Lebanese & Arab governors. In this field "GRG" scored lots of hits written & composed by GR such as : Vitamine, Mamnooh, Kossitna bhal mujtamaa (Lyrics Ghady Rahbani Music Ossama Rahbani), Baladyyet Beirut (Lyrics Assad Rustom & Mr Mansoor Rahbani Music Ossama Rahbani), Shteghel, Iza Zaajak Sheelo, Wen'elkon nehna meen, Tareek el mataar, Maaly Lwazeer, Sentel 2000 part one & two & El jamhoor aayez kidah.
- 1992 GRG opened for "Alphaville" in a live outdoor concert at Mont La Salle, Lebanon
- 1997 GRG opened for " Scorpions" in their " pure instinct world tour at the Forum, Beirut, Lebanon.
- Between 1992 and 1995 GRG toured in an extremely successful Rock tour all over Lebanon performing 15 live concerts taking place in Summertime only.
- The year 1996 was a big turning point in GR's artistic career. It was the year of his first historical rock opera musical epic "HANNIBAL" which he wrote & composed and was directed by Mr. Yacoob Shedrawi. This historical epic played around 11 months in Lebanon & then moved to Tunisia for 5 performances inaugurating both the 33rd Carthage summer festival & the Madina festival in Tunis, then moved again to Lebanon at the Byblos International festival , Ghassan Saleeba played Hannibal's role, Joseph Boo Nassar played Scipio Africanus, Ranya El Hage played Imilsa, Pierre Dagher played Maharbaal along with 111 actors & dancers. "HANNIBAL" is considered to be a turning point in the Lebanese & Arab theater because it dealt with it from different angles. These points included massive renovations made in the "HANNIBAL" epic such as realizing the entire life of a hero from birth until death, all within 2 hours. Scenes were worked from a cinematic point of view, the first to show real battles among soldiers fighting on stage, a rock opera mood and mixing hard rock and classical music.
-"The 4 CATS" band, was his innovation that was formed in late 1997. Until today "The 4 Cats" is still going strong with its new image.
-In 2000, GR played the role of Judas in "And He rose on the third day" musical by Ossama Rahbani, written by Mr . Mansour Rahbani & directed by Marwan Rahbani.
- GR has more than 260 English & Lebanese recorded songs (140 English, 120 oriental).
- Gassan has recorded 3 movie soundtracks. More than 60 live indoor & outdoor concerts were performed until the present day in Lebanon & all around the Middle East.
- In June 2001, Ziad Rahbani & GR joined together in the "Mneeha" concert at "Mont la Salle" performing for about 10,000 spectators in two consecutive nights.
-In 2002 GRG released its Heavy Metal music video in Lebanese called "El Jamhoor Ayez Kidah"
- February 2003 GRG released a special Valentine album and music video R'n'B style in English called "Without Ur Love" shot in Beirut with lot's of kissessssssssssss…….
-In 2003 LBCI produced the GRG music video "Karn El Alfen" (part III of "Sent El Alfen", Song) Shot in Beirut in the BUS, the classical part shot in Saint Joseph Cathedral, Monot, with the collaboration of 100 Choir and 40 members of the Lebanese Symphonic Orchestra, this song was although written composed and arranged by Gassan and of course it was an honor for GRG to have Mr Elias Rahbani as a special guest in this music video.
- In 2003 GRG released the "Al Bayda Wil Takshira" Album containing 15 tracks all in Lebanese, talking about politics, ecology etc...The album was produced and composed by Gassan.
-In November 2003 Gassan Rahbani launched his new play called "Kama Aala El Ared, Kazalika ...Min Fawk", " On earth as above", at the Casino du Liban Theater , the Story was created,written, composed, arranged, directed, recorded, mixed and having the main role played by Gassan with the female leading role played by Ranya El Hage starring Pierre dagher and Rodney El Haddad in collaboration with Fady Reaydi, with more than 70 actors, Dancers & Technicians...
-In 2006 GRG released its English Heavy Metal album called "www.redpeace.braindamage" containing 16 tracks from heavy to blues and ballades . In the same year ( 2006) Gassan shot and performed the music video "Kermal laam Bimootoo" lyrics & music by Elias Rahbani.
-In 2007 GRG released the political music video "el horriyeh bi'id el khawaja btejrah". The same year (2007) Gassan signed the soundtrack of the 4cats movie "Lion and 4 cats".
- In Spring 2008, GR wrote and released the music video "nahna hon min 3ich" dedicated to the Armenian people" and directed by Fouad Khoury. In the same year ( Summer 2008), GR wrote and released the music video "Bisharafkon Hada Yharkech".
-In 2008 the Ghanni Maa Ghassan TV show was and still is a one of a kind music show for talented individuals and ranks as number one in ratings on both OTV and New TV.
-In 2009 Gassan directed the musical "EELA" which was written, composed and produced by Mr Elias Rahbani. The same year ( 2009) GR produced and wrote the English music video "Come back to me" taken from the www.redpeace.braindamage album, and in 2009 GRG released their double album untitled " www.redpeace.braindamage" version 2.
-In 2009 GR produced and released the GRG trilogy DVD set, containing the complete series of GRG's music videos in a 3 DVD box.
- In Summer 2010 GR along with Melhem Barakat, launched their new musical play,"WAMINA EL HOBBI MA KATAL", " TOO MUCH LOVE KILLS" at the International Baalback Festival which was created, composed and performed by Melhem Barakat and Gassan Rahbani, female leading role by Ranya El Hage in collaboration with Pierre Chamoun and Ali El Khalil. The play was written and directed by Gassan and involved more than 120 artists.
- Winter 2010, GR won the first prize in the french Charles trenet's international songs contest held in Paris france, presenting the song "Fruit interdit" Lyrics and performance by Grace Zeitounian, music and arr by GR.
-2011, the "Ghanni maa Ghassan" Program is still going strong in its fifth season on "New TV" (Al Jadeed tv), in addition, GR produced and released the "Ghanni maa Ghassan" album containing the songs he composed for the winners in seasons one , two and three