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Happy birthday to one and only: Rashid Behbudov!
He is remembered for his love songs. Behbudov even managed to mesmerise Soviet officials so much with his beautiful voice that they didn't pressure him to sing contrived songs to glorify the Soviet system or people like Stalin.
He is remembered for his love songs. Behbudov even managed to mesmerise Soviet officials so much with his beautiful voice that they didn't pressure him to sing contrived songs to glorify the Soviet system or people like Stalin.
Most folk first became familiar with Behbudov's great talent from the 1945 movie version of the opera, "Arshin Mal Alan" (The Cloth Peddler).
He was the main protagonist named Asgar, a rich merchant, who had everything in life except the chance to choose a woman for his bride.
He was the main protagonist named Asgar, a rich merchant, who had everything in life except the chance to choose a woman for his bride.
Rashid Behbudov played the role superbly and quite frankly, made the film very popular.
He was awarded the USSR State Laureate for his performance. After that, he began touring various countries throughout the world which he did up until his death.
He was awarded the USSR State Laureate for his performance. After that, he began touring various countries throughout the world which he did up until his death.
Rashid Behbudov's background was very cosmopolitan.
He was born in Tbilisi and worked in Yerevan performing in an Armenian jazz orchestra as well as a lyric tenor in Yerevan's Philharmonia and Opera House (1938-44).
His father, Majid Behbudlu was a well-known singer as well.
He was born in Tbilisi and worked in Yerevan performing in an Armenian jazz orchestra as well as a lyric tenor in Yerevan's Philharmonia and Opera House (1938-44).
His father, Majid Behbudlu was a well-known singer as well.
When it comes to music, Rashid Behbudov was a perfectionist.
He was very critical both of himself and others. If he sensed the lyrics didn't fit the music, he would change them. The same goes with the music.
What was incredible, he was entirely self-taught.
He was very critical both of himself and others. If he sensed the lyrics didn't fit the music, he would change them. The same goes with the music.
What was incredible, he was entirely self-taught.
According to composer Tofig Guliyev, "Rashid Behbudov was fond of alcohol and had a lot of love affairs. He never smoked.
He was quite handsome, though admittedly short, and rather on the heavy side. He used to try to appear taller by wearing thicker heels on his shoes."
He was quite handsome, though admittedly short, and rather on the heavy side. He used to try to appear taller by wearing thicker heels on his shoes."
