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Biography

IN MEMORY OF THE PERSIAN LEGENDARY DIVA
H A Y E D E H
(1942 – 1990)

Hayedeh, the legendary diva of Persia, was born in Tehran. Her career began as a singer on a Tehran radio program called Golhaye Rangarang (Colorful Flowers), directed by Davood Pirnia. She studied avaz (Persian Vocal Music) with the great Persian violinist and composer Ali Tajvidi. “Azadeh” (Music by Ali Tajvidi, Lyrics by Rahi Moayeri) was Hayedeh’s first hit, performed on Radio Tehran with the Golha Orchestra in 1968. This outstanding work introduced Hayedeh’s vocal ability to Persians (Iranians) who warmly received it. “Azadeh” was released by Apolon Records (Directed by Manouchehr Bibiyan) in Tehran.

Beginning in the 1970s Hayedeh added pop music to her classical Persian repertoire. Throughout her career Hayedeh worked with many different composers such as Ali Tajvidi, Farid Zoland, Anoushiravan Rohani, Sadegh Nojuki, Andranik and Mohammad Heydari. Prominent lyricists she worked with included Esmaeel Navabe Safa, Bijan Taraghi, Leila Kasra (Hedieh), Homa Mir Afshar, and Ardalan Sarfaraz. Her works were released by Taraneh Records, Pars Video and Caltex Records, three California based Persian music companies.

In the summer of 1978, she emigrated to the United Kingdom, and went on to the United States in 1982 to continue her career. From 1982 until the end of her life, Hayedeh lived in Los Angeles near her sister, Mahasti, also a well known Persian singer. Hayedeh’s career was bolstered in the 1980s by the growth of the Persian American community in Southern California due to the increasing number of Persians leaving Persia (Iran) to escape the fundamentalist government. Hayedeh’s political and nostalgic songs became very popular and loved in the Persian community, especially by those in exile.

During this time, Hayedeh regularly appeared in the Los Angeles based Jaam-e-Jam TV, which was established by Manouchehr Bibiyan and a few other Persian artists in exile. Hayedeh not only criticized Iran’s fundamental regime in some of her TV programs, but also recorded more than 40 music videos at Jaam-e Jam Studio, most of which were secretly distributed in her homeland.

Hayedeh traveled twice to London and gave two concerts with a large orchestra (conducted by Farnoush Behzad) at the Royal Albert Hall. She al