Ahmad Zahir, was an Afghan singer, songwriter, and composer. Still popular more than a quarter-century after his death, he is considered an icon of music in Afghanistan.
Ahmad Zahir is sometimes called "the King of Afghan Music". Zahir is remembered as having a style similar to Elvis Presley. Yet Zahir is known for his unique touch and soulful interpretations.
Ahmad Zahir, was born on June 14, 1946 (Jauza 24rd, 1325 of the Jalali calendar) in laghman,to a pashtun family.His father, Abdul Zahir, was a royal court doctor, minister of health, one-time prime minister, speaker of the parliament and an influential figure in the Zahir Shah era. He helped write the Constitution of Afghanistan after graduating from Columbia University of New York. Due to his noble birth, Zahir's profession as a singer became a point of contention between the singer and his elitist father. Still, Zahir loved to sing and pressure by his fans kept him performing. Zahir's music interest developed in the early 1960s with his involvement in his high school band. The Amateur Band of Habibia High School modeled themselves after such Western musical groups as the Beatles. After high school, his father sent Zahir to India in an attempt to force his son to start a career in the medical field, but Zahir went on to study music instead.
1960s
Zahir launched his solo career in the late 1960s. Much to the dismay of his father, who looked forward to a political career for his son, Zahir did not follow his father’s footsteps in statesmanship. Instead, he retained his political insights and later integrated them into his music. He began composing Persian songs based on well recognized verses of Persian poetry, and drew upon classical and modern poetry. The meaning and depth of his songs quickly garnered him national attention, as did his versatile tenor voice. His work earned critics’ commendation from the start. The release of his first album was celebrated on radio and newspapers across Afghanistan as fans fought for the remaining copies.
1970s
Zahir was introduced to the best of Afghanistan’s music scene by the thrilled recording studios. He worked with veteran mentors such as the late Ustad Ismail Azami (saxophonist), Ustad Nangalai (trumpeter), Abdullah Etemadi (drummer), and other musicians including Salim Sarmast, Naynawaz, Taranasaz, and Mas'hour Jamal. He recorded over 22 albums in the 1970s. His songs were noted for their mellifluous tone, poetic style, compelling depth, and passionate emotional evocation. His lyrics covered a wide range of subjects. Many of his songs contained autobiographical elements or political criticism of Afghanistan's government. As a result many of his recordings were destroyed by the government.
In the late 1970s, his iconic image transformed to that of a national hero. Many of his songs from this time period reflected his strong political views.
Zahir died on June 14, 1979, on his 33rd birthday. Some say he died in a car accident, but it is known that he was shot by an acquaintance and it was made to look like an automotive accident. Ahmad Zahir's son Rishad Zahir currently lives