Aram Asatryan ( hy, Արամ Ասատրյան; 3 March 1953 – 7 November 2006) was an
Armenia
Armenia (), , group=pron officially the Republic of Armenia,, is a landlocked country in the Armenian Highlands of Western Asia.The UNbr>classification of world regions places Armenia in Western Asia; the CIA World Factbook , , and ' ...
n singer and songwriter of
Armenian pop and
rabiz music, known for his energetic concerts. He is widely regarded as the pioneer of the "rabiz" music genre and to this day remains the most popular rabiz singer of all time.
Biography
Aram Asatryan was born in Ejmiatsin (now known as
Vagharshapat
Vagharshapat ( hy, Վաղարշապատ ) is the 4th-largest city in Armenia and the most populous municipal community of Armavir Province, located about west of the capital Yerevan, and north of the closed Turkish-Armenian border. It is com ...
) on March 3, 1953 to Hapet Asatryan and Ashken Mampreyan. He was born to a refugee family.
Ever since his
childhood
A child (plural, : children) is a human being between the stages of childbirth, birth and puberty, or between the Development of the human body, developmental period of infancy and puberty. The legal definition of ''child'' generally refers ...
years, Aram was recognized as a prodigal musician. In 1985, Asatryan formed his own band. Later in life, he gained fame for his distinct voice and musical styling, and was popular both in
Armenia
Armenia (), , group=pron officially the Republic of Armenia,, is a landlocked country in the Armenian Highlands of Western Asia.The UNbr>classification of world regions places Armenia in Western Asia; the CIA World Factbook , , and ' ...
and the international community, particularly the
Armenian diaspora
The Armenian diaspora refers to the communities of Armenians outside Armenia and other locations where Armenians are considered an indigenous population. Since antiquity, Armenians have established communities in many regions throughout the world. ...
. Asatryan loved to work and he devoted his life to music. He approached positive things and was confident about himself. His love for his country, the Armenian people, as well as other
ethnic groups
An ethnic group or an ethnicity is a grouping of people who identify with each other on the basis of shared attributes that distinguish them from other groups. Those attributes can include common sets of traditions, ancestry, language, history, ...
are expressed in his songs. During the
First Nagorno-Karabakh War, he performed songs for the soldiers and Armenians in general to generate moral support.
Asatryan performed many concerts internationally (
Asia
Asia (, ) is one of the world's most notable geographical regions, which is either considered a continent in its own right or a subcontinent of Eurasia, which shares the continental landmass of Afro-Eurasia with Africa. Asia covers an are ...
,
Europe
Europe is a large peninsula conventionally considered a continent in its own right because of its great physical size and the weight of its history and traditions. Europe is also considered a subcontinent of Eurasia and it is located entirel ...
,
Russia
Russia (, , ), or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country spanning Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. It is the largest country in the world, with its internationally recognised territory covering , and encompassing one-eig ...
, the
Middle East
The Middle East ( ar, الشرق الأوسط, ISO 233: ) is a geopolitical region commonly encompassing Arabia (including the Arabian Peninsula and Bahrain), Asia Minor (Asian part of Turkey except Hatay Province), East Thrace (Europ ...
), and in many cities in
Armenia
Armenia (), , group=pron officially the Republic of Armenia,, is a landlocked country in the Armenian Highlands of Western Asia.The UNbr>classification of world regions places Armenia in Western Asia; the CIA World Factbook , , and ' ...
. He wrote over 500 songs and constantly held world tours. Throughout his life, he received many awards such as the "Gusan", which he was awarded on April 18, 2003 by the Cultural Music Ministry in
Armenia
Armenia (), , group=pron officially the Republic of Armenia,, is a landlocked country in the Armenian Highlands of Western Asia.The UNbr>classification of world regions places Armenia in Western Asia; the CIA World Factbook , , and ' ...
. The "Gusan" award is the most prestigious award offered by the Cultural Music Ministry in Armenia.
Personal life
Aram Asatryan was married to Nvart Gevorkyan and they had three sons, Artash, Tigran, Setrak, and a daughter, Zvart.
Until his death, Asatryan resided in the
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
. He believed his music would pass on from generation to generation. His son Setrak (Seto) died in a tragic automobile accident approximately one year before Aram's death, which left Aram in a grieving state until his return to Armenia in 2006. His musical legacy is continued by his two sons, Tigran and Artash Asatryan, his nephew Hovhannes Asatryan, and his two grandsons, Arman and Grisha Asatryan.
Death
Aram Asatryan died on 7 November 2006 in
Oshakan
Oshakan ( hy, Օշական) is a major village in the Aragatsotn Province of Armenia located 8 kilometers southwest from Ashtarak. It is well known to historians and pilgrims of the Armenian Apostolic Church as the site of the grave of Mesrop Mas ...
in the
Aragatsotn
Aragatsotn ( hy, Արագածոտն, ) is a province ('' marz'') of Armenia. It is located in the western part of the country. The capital and largest city of the province is the town of Ashtarak. The Statistical Committee of Armenia reported i ...
region from an apparent
heart attack
A myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when blood flow decreases or stops to the coronary artery of the heart, causing damage to the heart muscle. The most common symptom is chest pain or discomfort which ma ...
. He was at a baptism being the godfather of an Armenian family. He did not show early symptoms of sickness as it was reported that he was in a very good and warm mood.
Dying surrounded by his close relatives, he was grieved by fans as he was considered one of the big names in Armenian pop music in modern times, and dubbed the "voice of Hayastan". The entire Asatryan family is considered to be a foremost contributor to the pop music of post-Soviet Armenia.
Discography
Studio albums
*Asum En Heru (1985)
*Vorkan Tsankatsan (1989)
*Mer Hayrenik (1990)
*The Best (1991)
*Angakh Hayasdan (1992)
*Music With Duduk (1993)
*Indz Hamar (1993)
*Puj Ashkhar (1993)
*Nayir Ashkharin (1994)
*Azat Hayasdan (1995)
*Hye Es Du (1996)
*The Golden Album (1997)
*Los Angeles (1998)
*Super Dance (1998)
*Yet Dardzek Tariner (1999)
*10 Tari Bemum (1999)
*2000 Millennium (1999)
*Ashkharoum Inchkan Hay Ka, Aynkan El Ka Yerevan (2000)
*Re Mi X (2000)
*The Very Best (2000)
*Asem Te Casem (2001)
*Im Yerke (2001)
*Skizb (2002)
*Urakh Tsragir (2002)
*Urakh Tsragir 2 (2002)
*Du Ashkhar Ekar (2003)
*Siro Patmutyun (2004)
*Anund (2005)
*My Sons (2006)
Posthumous
*Im Yerke Vol. 2 (2017)
Live albums
*Aram and Armen Live (1998)
*Alex 50 Golden Years (2003)
*Live Concert in Armenia (2005)
Compilation albums
*Sweet Memory’s (2002)
*50 Years (2003)
*The Best Of Aram Asatryan (2003)
References
External links
Aram Asatryan- Aram Asatryan Online Music Playlist
Deatha1plus death report*
Aram Asatryan Music Videos
{{DEFAULTSORT:Asatryan, Aram
1953 births
2006 deaths
People from Vagharshapat
20th-century Armenian male singers
21st-century Armenian male singers