Googoosh
Encyclopedia
Faegheh Atashin also known by her stage name Googoosh is an Iran
ian singer and actress. She is known for her contributions to Iranian pop music, but also starred in a variety of movies from the 1950s to the 1970s. She achieved the pinnacle of her fame and success towards the end of the 1970s. Her overall impact and contributions to Middle Eastern and Central Asian pop-music earned her the title of the most iconic female pop-singer from those regions. Due to her great talents and overall endearment to her people, she is a symbol of national pride to the Iranian people.
After the Iranian Revolution
in 1979, she is famously known for remaining in Iran until 2000 and not performing again due to the ban on female singers. Still, her following grew. Younger people have rediscovered her music via bootleg recordings. Outside of Iran, she has a significant following in many Middle Eastern and Central Asian countries, and has even caught the attention of western media and press. Googoosh is rumored to reside in a four-bedroom, four-bath home in Beverly Crest, which she bought for $1.37 million from Jack M. Snyder and Stephanie E. Snyder on April 13, 2011, and continues her career, albeit in a limited manner.
Googoosh was born 'Faegeh Atashin' on 5 May 1950 in Sarcheshmeh Street of Tehran. Her father, Saber Atashin was an Iranian Azerbaijani who emigrated back to his native Iran several years before his marriage. While Googoosh was still an infant, her father divorced her mother.
She began doing impersonations of some of the singers of the time. When her father discovered this talent, he put her on stage.
In January 2009 she ended her work and personal relationship with Mehrdad, citing "creative differences" and in March 2009 began a new work relationship with her current management team.
On 21 and 24 March of that year, during the Nowruz
holiday, Googoosh performed in Dubai
. This concert was considered a homecoming for her and thousands of Iranians crossed the Persian Gulf
to hear her.
On 22 July 2009, Googoosh delivered an emotional speech in which she said the outcome of the 12 June presidential election, which the protesters accused President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of stealing, inspired her to make her first foray into politics. She and the other speakers stood in front of a banner bearing the names of some of the 600 protesters believed to remain in jail. The names of those killed were written in red.
“I have come here to be the voice for the sad mothers who lost their loved ones in peaceful demonstrations,” said the singer. “I have come here to be the just voice of the grass-roots and spontaneous movement among my compatriots and to show my solidarity.”
In December of 2010, Googoosh had a very notable concert in the Kurdish region of Iraq and Iran. Tens of thousands of Iranians came from Tehran and beyond.
Googoosh currently tours sporadically. She makes occasional concert stops all over the globe. While not touring, she spends time on new work projects or with family. In March 2011, the popstar released a snippet via YouTube
of a new song she was working on titled "Bedrood". In April 2011, Googoosh debuted her latest project. The singer launched her own cosmetic collection sold online, aptly titled "Googoosh Cosmetics". Also on April 9th, 2011, Googoosh held a legendary concert at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, CA.
In 1975, Googoosh married Iranian actor Behrouz Vossoughi
. They divorced fourteen months later, in 1976.
During the late 1970s, Googoosh became involved with Homayoun Mestaghi, but after the Islamic Revolution in 1979, Googoosh served a three-month jail sentence because she was living with him outside of marriage, which was illegal under the Islamic regime. Several years later, Googoosh divorced Mestaghi.
She married director Masoud Kimiai
in 1991. They divorced in 2003.
Albums since comeback
Googoosh also acted in two other movies: Märd-e keraye-i (مرد کرایه ای) and Haci Feyruz (حاجی فیروز), but the production of each of these films was suspended during the final stages for unknown reasons. Googoosh has also acted in many television shows and ground-breaking commercials in Iran.
(2000–2001)
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Memory Lane Tour(2009–2010)
2011
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
ian singer and actress. She is known for her contributions to Iranian pop music, but also starred in a variety of movies from the 1950s to the 1970s. She achieved the pinnacle of her fame and success towards the end of the 1970s. Her overall impact and contributions to Middle Eastern and Central Asian pop-music earned her the title of the most iconic female pop-singer from those regions. Due to her great talents and overall endearment to her people, she is a symbol of national pride to the Iranian people.
After the Iranian Revolution
Iranian Revolution
The Iranian Revolution refers to events involving the overthrow of Iran's monarchy under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and its replacement with an Islamic republic under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the...
in 1979, she is famously known for remaining in Iran until 2000 and not performing again due to the ban on female singers. Still, her following grew. Younger people have rediscovered her music via bootleg recordings. Outside of Iran, she has a significant following in many Middle Eastern and Central Asian countries, and has even caught the attention of western media and press. Googoosh is rumored to reside in a four-bedroom, four-bath home in Beverly Crest, which she bought for $1.37 million from Jack M. Snyder and Stephanie E. Snyder on April 13, 2011, and continues her career, albeit in a limited manner.
Childhood and youth
She began doing impersonations of some of the singers of the time. When her father discovered this talent, he put her on stage.
2000 and beyond
In 2000, a feature-length documentary called Googoosh: Iran's Daughter was released which chronicled the singer's life and her icon-status while detailing the socio-political turmoil that led to the 1979 Revolution in Iran. Made by Iranian-American filmmaker Farhad Zamani, the documentary began production in 1998 and was made at a time when Googoosh was still forbidden to give interviews.In January 2009 she ended her work and personal relationship with Mehrdad, citing "creative differences" and in March 2009 began a new work relationship with her current management team.
On 21 and 24 March of that year, during the Nowruz
Nowruz
Nowrūz is the name of the Iranian New Year in Iranian calendars and the corresponding traditional celebrations. Nowruz is also widely referred to as the Persian New Year....
holiday, Googoosh performed in Dubai
Dubai
Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates . The emirate is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the largest population with the second-largest land territory by area of all the emirates, after Abu Dhabi...
. This concert was considered a homecoming for her and thousands of Iranians crossed the Persian Gulf
Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
to hear her.
On 22 July 2009, Googoosh delivered an emotional speech in which she said the outcome of the 12 June presidential election, which the protesters accused President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of stealing, inspired her to make her first foray into politics. She and the other speakers stood in front of a banner bearing the names of some of the 600 protesters believed to remain in jail. The names of those killed were written in red.
“I have come here to be the voice for the sad mothers who lost their loved ones in peaceful demonstrations,” said the singer. “I have come here to be the just voice of the grass-roots and spontaneous movement among my compatriots and to show my solidarity.”
In December of 2010, Googoosh had a very notable concert in the Kurdish region of Iraq and Iran. Tens of thousands of Iranians came from Tehran and beyond.
Googoosh currently tours sporadically. She makes occasional concert stops all over the globe. While not touring, she spends time on new work projects or with family. In March 2011, the popstar released a snippet via YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
of a new song she was working on titled "Bedrood". In April 2011, Googoosh debuted her latest project. The singer launched her own cosmetic collection sold online, aptly titled "Googoosh Cosmetics". Also on April 9th, 2011, Googoosh held a legendary concert at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, CA.
Awards
- 1971: first prize and golden record at the MidemMidem-MIDEM:Short for Marché International du Disque et de l'Edition Musicale, MIDEM is the world's largest music industry trade fair, which has been held annually at and around the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, France, since 1967...
trade fairTrade fairA trade fair is an exhibition organized so that companies in a specific industry can showcase and demonstrate their latest products, service, study activities of rivals and examine recent market trends and opportunities...
in CannesCannesCannes is one of the best-known cities of the French Riviera, a busy tourist destination and host of the annual Cannes Film Festival. It is a Commune of France in the Alpes-Maritimes department....
for her 7" record (as "Gougoush") featuring two songs in French: "Retour de la Ville" (A-side) and "J'entends Crier Je T'aime" (B-side). - 1972: First prize at the Carthage Music Festival
- 1972: First medal of arts of Tunisia
- 1973: The best actress for Bita in Iranian Sepas film festival.
- 1973: The best artist of the year at San Remo Music Festival.
Personal life
Googoosh's first husband was Mahmoud Ghorbani. He was a music promoter who had helped Googoosh make a name for herself throughout the '60s. They married in February 1967. They had a son, Kambiz, who currently lives in Los Angeles and who is also in the music industry. Ghorbani was extremely abusive to Googoosh. After about six years of marriage, Ghorbani and Googoosh divorced in late 1972.In 1975, Googoosh married Iranian actor Behrouz Vossoughi
Behrouz Vossoughi
-Career:He started acting in films with Samuel Khachikian's Toofan dar shahr-e ma. He has over 40 years of experience in the motion picture industry, with featured appearances in more than 90 films. His work has earned him recognition at several international film festivals...
. They divorced fourteen months later, in 1976.
During the late 1970s, Googoosh became involved with Homayoun Mestaghi, but after the Islamic Revolution in 1979, Googoosh served a three-month jail sentence because she was living with him outside of marriage, which was illegal under the Islamic regime. Several years later, Googoosh divorced Mestaghi.
She married director Masoud Kimiai
Masoud Kimiai
Masoud Kimiai is an Iranian director, screenwriter and producer. He was born in 1941 in Tehran, Iran.- Biography :Kimiai started his career as an assistant director and made his debut, Come Stranger, in 1968. With his second film, Kaiser , he and Dariush Mehrjui with The film Cow, caused a...
in 1991. They divorced in 2003.
Discography
Studio albums- Mosabbeb (with DariushDariush EghbaliDariush Eghbali better known by his stage name Dariush is a famous Iranian pop singer best known for his warm and plaintive bass voice heard in both ballads and political songs. He is also a social activist who directs a recovery center.-Early life:...
, 1975) - Nimeh Gomshodeh Man ("My Lost Half", year unknown)
- Behtarin Fasl-e-Taazeh ("The Best Fresh Season", year unknown)
- 1974: Do Maahi (Two Fish)
- 1974: Hamsafar (Co-Traveler)
- ?:Jadeh (The Road)
- 1971: Mordab (The Swamp)
- 1970:Do Panjareh (Two Windows)
- ?:Kavir (The Desert)
- 1972:Kooh (The Mountain)
- 1978:Ageh Bemooni (If You Stay)
- ?:Yadam Basheh, Yadet Basheh (Shenasnameyeh 1)
- 1975:Pol (The Bridge)
- ?:Setaareh (The Star)
- ?:Mann O Gonjeshkayeh Khoneh (Me and Sparrows of the Home)
- ?: Lahzeh Bidari (Awakening Moment)
- 1977: Dar Emtedâde Šab (Along the Night)
Albums since comeback
- 2000: Zartosht (Zoroaster)
- 2004: Akharin Khabar (Latest News)
- 2006: Manifest (Manifest)
- 2008: Shabe Sepid (White Night)
- 2010: Hajme Sabz (Green X)
Filmography
| Year | Persian Title English Title |
|
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | Fereşte-ye färari (فرشتۀ فراری) | Runaway Angel |
| Bim vä omid / Bim o omid (بیم و امید) | Fear and Hope | |
| 1963 | Pärtgah-e mäxuf (پرتگاه مخوف) | The Cliff of Fear |
| 1965 | Şeytun-e bäla (شیطون بلا) | The Naughty One |
| 1966 | Gedayan-e Tehran (گدايان تهران) | The Beggars of Tehran |
| Fil vä fencan / Fil o fencan (فيل و فنجان) | Big and Small | |
| Hoseyn-e Kord (حسين كرد) | Hoseyn-e Kord | |
| 1967 | Çähar xahär (چهار خواهر) | Four Sisters (with Leila Forouhar Leila Forouhar Leila Forouhar is a singer and actress from Iran. She relocated to Los Angeles after the Iranian Revolution.-Career:Leila is the daughter of the late Iranian actor Jahangir Forouhar, who had already established a solid background in the Iranian entertainment industry by the early 1970s. She speaks... ) |
| Därvazeh-e täqdir (دروازه تقدير) | The Gate of Fate | |
| Gänc o ränc (گنج و رنج) | Treasure and Toil | |
| Där costocu-ye täbähkaran (در جستجوی تبهكاران) | On the Search for Criminals | |
| 1968 | Se divane (سه دیوانه) | The Three Morons |
| Şäb-e fereştegan (شب فرشتگان) | The Night of Angels | |
| Setare-ye häft aseman (ستاره هفت آسـمان) | The Star of Seven Skies | |
| 1969 | Gonah-e zibayi (گناه زيبايی) | The Sin of Beauty |
| 1970 | Tolu (طلوع) | Sunrise |
| Cäncal-e ärusi (جنجال عروسی) | The Wedding Brawl | |
| Päncere (پنجره) | The Window | |
| 1971 | Ehsas-e daq (احساس داغ) | Hot Feeling |
| Asemun-e bi setare (آسـمون بی ستاره) | Starless Sky | |
| Qesas (قصاص) | Retaliation | |
| 1972 | Bita (بیتا) | Bita |
| 1973 | Xiyalat-i (خیالاتی) | Imaginings |
| 1975 | Hämsäfär (هـمسفر) | Travelling Mate |
| Nazänin (نازنین) | Nazänin | |
| Mämäl-e Amrikayi (مـَمَل آمریکایی) | American Mammal | |
| Şäb-e qäriban (شب غریبان) | Nostalgic Night | |
| 1976 | Mah-e äsäl (ماه عسل) | Honeymoon |
| 1977 | Där emtedad-e şäb (در امتداد شب) | Along the Night |
| 1979 | Emşäb äşki mirizäd (امشب اشکی می ریزد) | Tonight Someone Cries |
Googoosh also acted in two other movies: Märd-e keraye-i (مرد کرایه ای) and Haci Feyruz (حاجی فیروز), but the production of each of these films was suspended during the final stages for unknown reasons. Googoosh has also acted in many television shows and ground-breaking commercials in Iran.
Post 2000 Tours
Googoosh Comeback TourGoogoosh Comeback Tour
The Googoosh Comeback Tour was a series of concerts, performed by the Iranian popstar Googoosh, starting July 2000. Having previously left Iran, where females are forbidden to perform, amidst spectacular media attention, She began with a sold out concert at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto on July...
(2000–2001)
2001
- 18 August 2001 - Toronto, Air Canada Centre
- 19 July 2001 - Tunis, Menzah Stadium
- 8 September 2001 - Sydney
- September and October 2001 Stockholm
2002
- 21 September 2002- Oakland, Oakland Arena (CANCELLED)
- 28 September 2002- Los Angeles, Staples Center (CANCELLED)
2003
- 8 February 2003 - Los Angeles, The Forum
- 24 May 2003 - Anaheim, Honda Center (former Arrowhead Pond)
- 4 October 2003 - Washington, DC, Verizon Center (former MCI Center)
2004
- 25 December 2004 - Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas
- 17 September 2005 - Los Angeles, The Forum
- 24 September 2005 - Fairfax, Virginia (near Washington, DC), Patriot Center
- 12 November 2005 - San Francisco, Bill Graham Civic Auditorum
- 24 December 2005 - Las Vegas, Thomas & Mack Center
2006
- 11 March 2006 - Dallas, Nokia Theatre
- 27 May 2006 - Vancouver, GM Place
- 3 June 2006 - Toronto, Air Canada Centre
- 9 September 2006 - San Diego, Symphony Hall
- 7 October 2006 - Los Angeles, Kodak Theater
- 8 October 2006 - Los Angeles, Kodak Theater
- 21 October 2006 - New York, Madison Square Garden
2007
- 13 January 2007 - Atlanta, Atlanta Civic Center
- 20 January 2007 - Flint Center, Cupertino (near San Jose)
- 7 July 2007 - Toronto, Air Canada Centre
- 15 September 2007 - Miami, Knight Concert Hall
- 1 December 2007 - Vancouver, Queen Elizabeth Theatre
- 25 December 2007 - Oberhausen, Arena Oberhausen
- 27 December 2007 - Stockholm, Globen Arena
- 29 December 2007 - London, Hammersmith Apollo
2008
- 15 March 2008 - Houston, George R. Brown Convention Center
- 26 March 2008 - Dubai, Dubai Media City
- 28 June 2008 - Ledyard, CT, MGM Grand at Foxwoods Resort & Casino
- 23 August 2008 - Los Angeles, Nokia Theatre
Memory Lane Tour(2009–2010)
- 21 March 2009- Oakland- Paramout Theatre
- 6 June 2009- Washington, DC- DAR Constitution Hall
- 7 August 2009- Melbourne, Australia- Dallas Brooks Centre
- 8 August 2009- Sydney, Australia- Sydney Convention Centre
- 19 September 2009- , Malaysia-Kuala Lumpur, KLCC Concert Hall
- 29 November 2009- Dubai, World Trade Center
- 21 March 2010- London, Wembley Arena
- 23 March 2010- Dubai, World Trade Center
- 17 April 2010- Toronto, Ricoh Coliseum
- 30 July 2010- Bahrain, International Exhibition Centre CANCELLED
- 1 August 2010- Antalya, Konyaalti Open-Air Amphitheatre
- 12 September 2010 - Erbil, Kurdistan region Iraq ,Babylon world Amphitheatre
- 15 September 2010 - Istanbul, Istanbul Convention Center
- 18 September 2010 - Vancouver, Queen Elizabeth Theatre
- 24 December 2010 - Stockholm,Kista Massan
- 25 December 2010 - Germany , Koln, Koln Arena
2011
- 26 February 2011 - Cupertino, Flint Center
- 24 March 2011 - Istanbul, Istanbul Congress Center
- 27 March 2011 - Kuala Lumpur, Merdeka Hall
- 9 April 2011 - Los Angeles, Nokia Theatre
- 23 July 2011 - Monaco,Monte-Carlo,Grimaldi Forum Monaco
- 25 July 2011 - Antalya, Konyaalti Acikhava Amphitheater
- 2 september 2011 - Dubai, Shoppiesta,Meydan Dubai
See also
- List of famous Iranian women
- Persian pop musicPersian pop musicPersian pop music refers to pop music with songs in the Persian language or other regional languages of Iran and Afghanistan...
- Googoosh Music Academy