Update:
Ethiopia hosted a state funeral for its legendary vocalist
Tilahun Gessesse. It is the first such state funeral in the
nation’s history. Ethiopians have lost the greatest popular
musician the country has ever produced.
Ethiopia is mourning what many describe as one of the greatest –
if not THE greatest popular musician – the country has ever produced.
Read more at BBC.
Legendary Ethiopian Singer Tilahun Gessesse Dies at 68
Monday, 20 April 2009
The popular Ethiopian singer, Tilahun Gessesse, has died at the age of 68.
He had been the most dominant figure in Ethiopian music for more than half a century and will receive a state funeral later this week.The country’s radio and TV stations broke into their programmes to broadcast tributes. He started singing in the days of the Emperor Haile Selassie, and was for a time the lead singer in his imperial bodyguard band. The BBC’s Elizabeth Blunt in Addis Ababa says that over the years, his plaintive tenor voice sang of love, family and friendship, as well as the more public themes of liberty, unity and justice. He had been in poor health in recent years because of diabetes. Read more.
We lost an important and memorable figure in the musical chronology of Ethiopia…let us keep on remembering him!
He is alive by his artistic works.
Ohhh God!!!! I don’t belive this. I am so sorry!! I said only this b/c I have no other words.
Tilahun Gessese – we miss you. You won’t come back? Hard to bear.
afer yiklelih.
It is a tragic and regrettable moment for all Ethiopians. Tilahun is a king. Tilahun is a symbol. Tilahun is teacher. Tilahun is a preacher. Tilahun is a doctor, a professor. Tilahun is love itself. Tilahun is everything for us, Ethiopians. I just felt that a king who had been worshiped for centuries and generations had passed away leaving his people on a bare ground. I am really sad.
I never thought that a man like Tilahun Gessesse would die.
Finally I convinced myself that Tilahun was not dead because his spirits, musics, gesture and his body are all in my heart.
God Bless your soul Tilahun
It is a great sorrow for Ethiopians today. We lost our hero TILAHUN. Tilahun for more than half a century gave his true love for his country. He created so many singers. He helped so many people to leave aside their sorrow and to live in love with their partner by his lovely melody.
I do not have words to express my deepest love to my hero Tilish.
Thanks for those people who are gathering at his burial ceremony at Meskel square.
Thanks for those people who are gathering at his burial ceremony at Meskel square.
With great sorrow and grief: May his soul rest in peace in heaven.
moute ienkuan chekno
Voice of a proud people.
Voice of love, affinity,
endless expression of grievances,
Insightful feeling and observation as a
Whole educational and identity as a culture.
Pavarotti is taking vocal lessons in Heaven
And the angels are happy.
Thanks, Alemayehu Mergia and JJ Hollingsworth
Rest in peace.
GOD keep your soul in paradise.
Many generations grew up, romanticized, married, celebrated, cried, and defended the country against invaders with you at the fore front. You are a giant of man among Ethiopian giants!. Your timeless voice will continue to entertain Ethiopians for generations to come.
Gashe Tilahun, you will be sorely missed. Rest In Peace!!!
Artist Tilahun is a unique person. I have many of his songs. Those are my antiques. May God put his soul in heaven and comfort his family.
Rest in Peace!!
Doctor Artist Tilahu Gessese’s songs are like medicine. Even his conversation is music.
Tilahun” has songs for everything.
WAY WAY SILU
YWREHABIN GUNFAN SISILU
EYAZENKUGN BINE AYICHE
MIN LADRIG ALEFKUACHEW TICHE!!!!!.
God please put his soul in Genet (Haven).
From Adama University 3rd Year
I am so sorry Tilahun Gessess. Tilahun was a man who cared about his country and people. All of us know who Tilahun is. I don’t think there is any Ethiopian that doesn’t know him. Tilahun is a great hero for many of us especially for the singers that he gave so much support and advice. However one thing I like about him is that unlike other Ethiopian singers, who have money, they like to support only their family. They do not care about others but Tilahun Gessess is the person who supported his community. We all know that in Ethiopia we have big (health) problems related to heart attack and one of the supporter of the cause was Tilahun Gessess, especially for the children who do not have family. God took you to a special home. Tilahun did not die.
Yihich Agatamy Beand Agetatman
Yefikirn Shema Derba Agonatsfan
Honom Sanasbew Gizew Bemehonu
Beka Teleyayen Merir New Hazenu”
May God put his soul in heaven!!!
You will be missed by all……I love You Tilish