Harout Pamboukjian
Encyclopedia
Harout Pamboukjian (born in 1950 in Yerevan
, Armenian SSR
, Soviet Union
), is an Armenian American pop singer
living in Los Angeles
. His Armenian dance, folk and revolutionary songs
make him a favorite among Armenians.
, the bouzouki
and saz
(stringed instruments), the dhol
(drums) and the piano
, later forming a band called Erebouni. His interest towards music was because his mother was a singer. His band went from village to village playing everything from Charles Aznavour
to Deep Purple
and Elvis, at weddings and universities. Due to restrictions under the Soviet Union
, Harout and most of his family left Soviet Armenia in 1975. After a year in Lebanon
, he went to Los Angeles and took up residence in Hollywood.
at the Quad Teck studio. He never received permission to use any of Arthur Meschian
’s work (including the song "Where Were You, God?")
That first album, now considered a classic, barely resembles the trademark sound he has become known for since then. Instead of the usual weepy duduk
or synths, you get clarinet, organ and a lot of bass. Only a few of the songs on the first album are dance-oriented, certainly different from the material that later made him popular at weddings. This made him popular and branded him the nickname "The Armenian Wedding Singer".
Harout has interpreted songs by artists like Rouben Hakhverdian
, Robert Amirkhanian, Arthur Meschian and others. But it’s the centuries-old sacred and grandiose folk tunes about protecting the soil and fighting in the highlands — "Antranik Pasha," "Sassouni Orore," "Msho
Aghchig" — that really get his fans blood stirring with nationalistic pride. He's most fond of Rouben Hakhverdian
, including the 1996 almost all-acoustic "Yerke Nayev Aghotk Eh" (Songs Are Also Prayers). Harout has also covered favorites like "Nuné".
A year after the 1988 Spitak Earthquake that killed 25,000 people and left many more homeless, hundreds of thousands of fans looking for some kind of temporary diversion from the devastation, packed the Hrazdan stadium
and Karen Demirchyan Complex
to hear 28 concerts by Harout.
In 2008, Harout appeared as children's music singer Bread Harrity on the sketch comedy show Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!
, performing a song about spaghetti and meatballs.
Pamboukjian has released over 20 albums. Some of his famous interpretations include "Asmar Aghchig" (Dark Skinned Girl), "Zokanch" (Mother-in-law), "Msho Aghchig" (Girl from Mush), "Msho Dashter" (Fields of Mush), "Hye Kacher" (Brave Armenians), "50 Daree" (50 Years) and "Hey Jan Ghapama"
Yerevan
Yerevan is the capital and largest city of Armenia and one of the world's oldest continuously-inhabited cities. Situated along the Hrazdan River, Yerevan is the administrative, cultural, and industrial center of the country...
, Armenian SSR
Armenian SSR
The Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic The Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic The Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic The Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic The Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic The Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic The Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic The Armenian Soviet...
, Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
), is an Armenian American pop singer
Pop Singer
"Pop Singer" is the début single from London-based glam rockers Rachel Stamp. It was released in February, 1996 through WEA. The single was released as a 2 track CD Single and limited edition pink 7" vinyl of 1000 copies...
living in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. His Armenian dance, folk and revolutionary songs
Armenian Revolutionary Songs
Armenian Revolutionary Songs are songs that promote Armenian patriotism. The origins of these songs lay largely in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, when Armenian political parties were established to struggle for the political and civil rights of Armenians living in the Ottoman...
make him a favorite among Armenians.
Early life
In his early teens, he took up lessons for many musical instruments including the guitarGuitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, the bouzouki
Bouzouki
The bouzouki , is a musical instrument with Greek origin in the lute family. A mainstay of modern Greek music, the front of the body is flat and is usually heavily inlaid with mother-of-pearl. The instrument is played with a plectrum and has a sharp metallic sound, reminiscent of a mandolin but...
and saz
Baglama
thumb|180px|Cura and bağlamaThe bağlama is a stringed musical instrument shared by various cultures in the Eastern Mediterranean, Near East, and Central Asia....
(stringed instruments), the dhol
Dhol
Dhol can refer to any one of a number of similar types of double-headed drum widely used, with regional variations, throughout the Indian subcontinent and nearby regions. Its range of distribution in India and Pakistan primarily includes northern areas such as the Assam Valley, Bengal, Gujarat,...
(drums) and the piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, later forming a band called Erebouni. His interest towards music was because his mother was a singer. His band went from village to village playing everything from Charles Aznavour
Charles Aznavour
Charles Aznavour, OC is an Armenian-French singer, songwriter, actor, public activist and diplomat. Besides being one of France's most popular and enduring singers, he is also one of the best-known singers in the world...
to Deep Purple
Deep Purple
Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. Along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, they are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although some band members believe that their music cannot be categorised as belonging to any one genre...
and Elvis, at weddings and universities. Due to restrictions under the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
, Harout and most of his family left Soviet Armenia in 1975. After a year in Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
, he went to Los Angeles and took up residence in Hollywood.
Music career
Only two months after his arrival in L.A., Harout put together a studio band and recorded his first album, "Our Eyir Astvats" (Where Were You, God?), in reference to the Armenian GenocideArmenian Genocide
The Armenian Genocide—also known as the Armenian Holocaust, the Armenian Massacres and, by Armenians, as the Great Crime—refers to the deliberate and systematic destruction of the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire during and just after World War I...
at the Quad Teck studio. He never received permission to use any of Arthur Meschian
Arthur Meschian
Arthur Meschian is an Armenian rock musician, singer, composer, artist and architect. He is also known as one of the founders of Armenian rock...
’s work (including the song "Where Were You, God?")
That first album, now considered a classic, barely resembles the trademark sound he has become known for since then. Instead of the usual weepy duduk
Duduk
The duduk , traditionally known since antiquity as a Ծիրանափող is a traditional woodwind instrument indigenous to Armenia. Variations of it are popular in the Middle East and Central Asia...
or synths, you get clarinet, organ and a lot of bass. Only a few of the songs on the first album are dance-oriented, certainly different from the material that later made him popular at weddings. This made him popular and branded him the nickname "The Armenian Wedding Singer".
Harout has interpreted songs by artists like Rouben Hakhverdian
Rouben Hakhverdian
Ruben Hakhverdyan is a popular Armenian poet, guitarist, singer, songwriter and lyricist. Hakhverdyan was born in Yerevan, Armenia in 1950. He attended Yerevan's theater institute and in 1975, earned his degree in television and theater direction. He worked for the city's State Television...
, Robert Amirkhanian, Arthur Meschian and others. But it’s the centuries-old sacred and grandiose folk tunes about protecting the soil and fighting in the highlands — "Antranik Pasha," "Sassouni Orore," "Msho
Mus Province
Muş Province is a province in eastern Turkey. It is 8,196 km² in area, and has a population of 406,886 . The population was 453,654 in 2000. The provincial capital is the city of Muş...
Aghchig" — that really get his fans blood stirring with nationalistic pride. He's most fond of Rouben Hakhverdian
Rouben Hakhverdian
Ruben Hakhverdyan is a popular Armenian poet, guitarist, singer, songwriter and lyricist. Hakhverdyan was born in Yerevan, Armenia in 1950. He attended Yerevan's theater institute and in 1975, earned his degree in television and theater direction. He worked for the city's State Television...
, including the 1996 almost all-acoustic "Yerke Nayev Aghotk Eh" (Songs Are Also Prayers). Harout has also covered favorites like "Nuné".
A year after the 1988 Spitak Earthquake that killed 25,000 people and left many more homeless, hundreds of thousands of fans looking for some kind of temporary diversion from the devastation, packed the Hrazdan stadium
Hrazdan Stadium
Hrazdan Stadium is a multi-use, all-seater stadium in Yerevan, Armenia, built and opened in 1970. With the financial support of Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, the stadium was built in a remarkable period of 11 months....
and Karen Demirchyan Complex
Karen Demirchyan Complex
Officially Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concerts Complex , also known as Demirchyan Arena, Sports & Music Complex, or simply Hamalir , is a huge sports and concert complex located on Tsitsernakaberd hill which dominates over the western parts of Yerevan, near the Hrazdan River gorge...
to hear 28 concerts by Harout.
In 2008, Harout appeared as children's music singer Bread Harrity on the sketch comedy show Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!
Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!
Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! is an American sketch comedy television series, created by and starring Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim, which premiered February 11, 2007 on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim comedy block and ran until May 2010...
, performing a song about spaghetti and meatballs.
Pamboukjian has released over 20 albums. Some of his famous interpretations include "Asmar Aghchig" (Dark Skinned Girl), "Zokanch" (Mother-in-law), "Msho Aghchig" (Girl from Mush), "Msho Dashter" (Fields of Mush), "Hye Kacher" (Brave Armenians), "50 Daree" (50 Years) and "Hey Jan Ghapama"