Googoosh

Iran’s High Priestess of Pop

To older Iranians, she represents the music of their youth. To those who have never known a free Iran, she symbolises the liberty they are denied. Persian pop star Googoosh, who in the 1960s wore miniskirts and set Farsi poems to disco beats, is in the midst of a comeback after years of repression.

GooGoosh (whose real name is Faegheh Atashin) was banned from performing and recording in Iran in 1979, when the Islamic Revolution replaced the Shah’s rule. Unlike other Iranian singers who fled to the United States and Canada, she stayed in Iran, living quietly in a Tehran apartment until she could leave legally in 1997. I wanted to come out with a passport, she told Cairos Al-Ahram Weekly. “I worried I would never have the chance...to come back.”

Her steadfastness earned the devotion of Iranians at home and abroad. And last July, at the age of 50, Googoosh launched a 19-city comeback tour that climaxed in March (coinciding with the Iranian New Year) in Dubai, just across the Persian Gulf from Iran. Googoosh reduced the 20,000-strong crowd to tears with renditions of old hits and surprised them with new, upbeat numbers.

“I remembered the people of Iran on stage and wished that one day I could sing under the skies of Iran for all...Iranians,” she told the Baku Sun of Azerbaijan. “To some extent, that wish has been fulfilled. I feel that I am in Iran.”

The Dubai concert marks a shift in Iran’s attitude toward music and personal freedom. While Googoosh still can’t perform in Iran, the government of President Muhammad Khatami allows her to travel outside the country for performances. Googoosh voiced her optimism to Al-Ahram.

Googoosh
Animated Character !

By Behrouz Bahmani

In 1973 Googoosh went to Italy, one of many self discovery travels she made in that music era. She took part in the annual San Remo Music Festival, which to this day is one of the oldest pop music traditions in Europe. The festival brings together all the pop stars of the time for concerts, awards, and a paparazzi feast, culminating in the best of the festival being preserved, as in each year, on a commemorative album. More recent attendees have included Madonna, Britney and U2.

In 1973 Googoosh virtually owned the San Remo festival as the toast of the town. At the end of the festival it was decided that 2 albums would be made, one in the standard Italian and another in Spanish. All the best singers from the festival were invited to record on the album. Googoosh was included in 6 out of the 14 songs, but not just the Italian album, she was so "on" that she could sing the same songs perfectly in Spanish as well!

If you are a Googoosh fan, you might not think much of this feat, but to put it in perspective, no other non-European singer was included in the album and everyone at the festival marveled at the quality of the singer's voice and her ability to sing in perfect Italian and Spanish! Recently these 2 albums were discovered by my good friend and long time fellow Googoosh fan, Kumars, who called me a few weeks ago with his incredible discovery. Kumars had heard of the San Remo festival and about Googoosh's San Remo recordings from another fan's web site; Dario's Googoosh Vinyl Discography and went on a treasure hunt of sorts.

His efforts finally paid off in a used record web site where he managed to snag the only known copies of these gems. Kumars didn't stop there, he contacted an Italian friend of his to help translate the songs as well.The friend listened to the songs and immediately asked Kumars who it was. When Kumars told him it was Googoosh, an Iranian pop singer, the friend did not believe him. Her accent was too perfect and he marveled at her ability to blend her voice to that of a perfect Italian.The obsession infection had now infected him, and now he is a fan. Kumars kindly scanned the wonderful covers you see here and he even converted the 6 Googoosh songs directly from the vinyl records the lucky bastard now owns. The scratches and pops are from the album which is now 30 years old! They are here for you to enjoy in what quality Real Audio can re-produce so be gentle!

The albums were produced by the European arm of RCA, and although long since out of print, we should all check our local used record stores if you want to find these incredible albums. Of course, RCA does not have any plans to re-issue a re mastered CD version at this time, but one can always hope! Enjoy!