Ziad Rahbani 1956 – 2025

Biography

Born into Lebanon’s artistic bloodline on New Year’s Day 1956, Ziad Rahbani became a creative force who refused to be confined to a single medium. The Antelias native built his reputation as a musician, composer, and writer—a rare polymath who moved fluidly between disciplines during a turbulent era in Lebanese history. His work pulsed with an unmistakable authenticity, rooted deeply in the cultural soil of his homeland.

Rahbani’s career unfolded as a testament to artistic fearlessness. Whether composing, performing, or putting pen to paper, he championed creative integrity at a time when many artists faced impossible choices. His multidisciplinary approach made him a singular voice in Lebanon’s cultural landscape, commanding respect across music and literary circles alike. He became a symbol of an artist fully committed to his craft and his country.

Rahbani died on July 26, 2025, in Beirut, succumbing to liver cirrhosis. His passing silenced a distinctive creative voice, but left behind a body of work that continues to resonate within Lebanon’s artistic community—a legacy of uncompromising expression and cultural devotion.