Ma'soumeh Dadehbala ( fa, معصومه دده‌بالا; 10 April 1942 – 20 January 1990), known professionally as Hayedeh ( fa, هایده), was an Iranian singer with a

contralto A contralto () is a type of classical female singing voice whose vocal range is the lowest female voice type. The contralto's vocal range is fairly rare; similar to the mezzo-soprano, and almost identical to that of a countertenor, typica ...

vocal range. Known for her wide range of voice, her career spanned over two decades, and she has been widely described as one of the most popular and influential musicians of Iran.

Early life and career

Ma'soumeh Dadehbala was born on 10 April 1942 in

Tehran Tehran (; fa, تهران ) is the largest city in Tehran Province and the capital of Iran. With a population of around 9 million in the city and around 16 million in the larger metropolitan area of Greater Tehran, Tehran is the most popul ...

. She was the elder sister of another popular singer

Mahasti Eftekhar Dadehbala), and others Eftekhar ( fa, افتخار). ( fa, افتخار دده‌بالا; 16 November 1946 – 25 June 2007), known by her stage name Mahasti ( fa, مهستی), was an Iranian singer of Persian classical, folk, and pop ...

. Her professional career began in 1968 as a singer on a

Persian traditional music Persian traditional music or Iranian traditional music, also known as Persian classical music or Iranian classical music, refers to the classical music of Iran (also known as ''Persia''). It consists of characteristics developed through the coun ...

program in Radio Tehran called " Golhâye Rangârang" ( fa, گلهای رنگارنگ "Colorful Flowers") directed by Davoud Pirnia. Hayedeh studied '' Avaz'' (Persian vocal music) with the Persian violinist and composer Ali Tajvidi. "Azadeh" (1968), which was composed by Ali Tajvidi, with lyrics by Rahi Moayeri, was Hayedeh's first official hit and debut also. It was first performed in 1968 on Radio Tehran with the Gol-ha Orchestra. In this year she released another titled ''Raftam'' (1968). In the 1970s, Hayedah added

Persian pop music Iranian pop music or Persian pop music ( fa, موسیقی پاپ ایرانی) refers to pop music originated in Iran, with songs mainly in Persian and other regional Persian dialects of the country and region. History Early Iranian popular music ...

to her classical Persian repertoire. In this period Hayedeh worked with several songwriters, such as Fereydoun Khoshnoud, Jahanbakhsh Pazouki,

Anoushiravan Rohani Anoushiravan Rohani ( fa, انوشیروان روحانی; born July 24, 1939), also spelled Anooshiravan Rowhani, is an Iranian pianist and composer. He is known for composing and conducting contemporary classical music, as well as pop music wi ...

and

Mohammad Heydari Mohammad Heidari ( fa, محمد حیدری; January 1937 – August 23, 2016) was a Persian santur player and songwriter. Career After the 1979 Iranian Revolution, Mohammad Heidari left the country for Italy and a few years later moved to Los ...

. "Bezan Tar", " Gol-e Sang", "Nowrouz Aamad", and "Soghati" were among her works during this period. Hayedeh has a younger sister

whom she has recorded duets with such as "Doa & Delam Mikhad" (I pray and I want) it was successful for release.

After the revolution and leaving Iran

On 29 August 1978, shortly before the

Islamic Revolution The Iranian Revolution ( fa, انقلاب ایران, Enqelâb-e Irân, ), also known as the Islamic Revolution ( fa, انقلاب اسلامی, Enqelâb-e Eslâmī), was a series of events that culminated in the overthrow of the Pahlavi dyna ...

in Iran, Hayedeh immigrated to the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and ...

. She stayed there for three years and moved to the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country Continental United States, primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 U.S. state, states, a Washington, D.C., ...

in 1982 to continue her job.

Caltex Records Caltex Records ( fa, کلتکس رکوردز) is a record label based in Los Angeles, California. It was founded in 1980 by Iranian American immigrant Mehrdad Pakravan. The label focuses on Iranian music. In 1994, the label represented 75% of Per ...

, an Iranian recording label, supported Hayedeh in her career. Hayedeh lived in

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world ...

from 1982 until the end of her life. The area became a hub for the Persian (Iranian) community in

Southern California Southern California (commonly shortened to SoCal) is a geographic and cultural region that generally comprises the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. It includes the Los Angeles metropolitan area, the second most populous urban ...

since the 1980s. Hayedeh released many successful albums during this time, and all her songs were bootlegged in Iran. Hayedeh's political and nostalgic songs such as "Rouzaye Roshan", "Ghesseyeh Man", "Zendegi" became very popular with the Iranian

exile Exile is primarily penal expulsion from one's native country, and secondarily expatriation or prolonged absence from one's homeland under either the compulsion of circumstance or the rigors of some high purpose. Usually persons and peoples suf ...

community. Her songwriters and producers in the United States were mostly

Sadegh Nojouki Sadegh Nojouki ( fa, صادق نوجوکی; born February 11, 1950 in Tehran) is a famous Iranian musician, composer, arranger, and pianist of Persian classical and pop music. He is credited for the use of string orchestra and piano for first tim ...

and

. Songwriters she worked with were Ardalan Sarfaraz, Homa Mir-Afshar and

Bijan Samandar Bijan Samandar (June 1, 1941 – January 8, 2019) (Persian: بیژن سمندر) was a prominent Iranian contemporary poet, lyricist and Tar player who has written lyrics for notable artists including Ebi, Dariush, Sattar, Vigen, Moein, Mahasti, ...

. Songwriter who wrote more than 30 of Hayedeh's songs and hits was her best friend

Leila Kasra Leila Kasra ( fa, لیلا کسری) also known as Hedieh ( fa, هدیه), (March 27, 1939 – May 16, 1989) was a prominent Iranian contemporary poet and lyricist who has written lyrics for notable artists including Ebi, Dariush, Sattar, Vig ...

(a.k.a. Hedieh), who was featured in many of her albums reciting her poems. During her exile, Hayedeh regularly appeared on the Los Angeles-based Persian-language TV channels IRTV, Jaam-E-Jam and Jonbesh TV.

Death and burial

On 20 January 1990, the day after a performance at the Casablanca Club, near

San Francisco, California San Francisco (; Spanish for " Saint Francis"), officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the commercial, financial, and cultural center of Northern California. The city proper is the fourth most populous in California and 17t ...

, Hayedeh died from a

heart attack A myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when blood flow decreases or stops to the coronary artery of the heart, causing damage to the heart muscle. The most common symptom is chest pain or discomfort which ma ...

. She was 47 years old. She had a history of

diabetes Diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus, is a group of metabolic disorders characterized by a high blood sugar level ( hyperglycemia) over a prolonged period of time. Symptoms often include frequent urination, increased thirst and increased ...

and

hypertension Hypertension (HTN or HT), also known as high blood pressure (HBP), is a long-term medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is persistently elevated. High blood pressure usually does not cause symptoms. Long-term high b ...

. Thousands of fans attended Hayedeh's funeral in Los Angeles. On 24 January 1990, she was buried at the

Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park & Mortuary is a cemetery and mortuary located in the Westwood Village area of Los Angeles. It is located at 1218 Glendon Avenue in Westwood, with an entrance from Glendon Avenue. The cemetery was ...

Los Angeles, California Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, largest city in the U.S. state, state of California and the List of United States cities by population, sec ...

. She had been recording an album shortly before her death and was due to finish recording it after she returned from her concert in

San Francisco San Francisco (; Spanish for " Saint Francis"), officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the commercial, financial, and cultural center of Northern California. The city proper is the fourth most populous in California and 17t ...

Legacy

Hayedeh's albums are still best sellers and her songs are played on Persian TV and radio channels outside Iran. Many of her songs are sung by Iranian pop singers. Houshmand Aghili performed Hayedeh's "Sarab", Parviz Rahman Panah remixed her "Saal", Shahla Sarshar performed a tragic song called "In Memory of Hayedeh", singer Amir did a cover of Hayedeh's song "Soghati" in 2008 and Mahasti performed three songs in memory of her late sister. Premiere Poster of the documentary HAYEDEH, LEGENDARY PERSIAN DIVA, by Pejman Akbarzadeh, VU Amsterdam, January 2009

Premiere Poster of the documentary HAYEDEH, LEGENDARY PERSIAN DIVA, by Pejman Akbarzadeh, VU Amsterdam, January 2009

According to Prof. Erik Nakhjavani in ''Encyclopædia Iranica'': "Analogous to

Delkash Esmat Bagherpour Baboli ( fa, عصمت باقرپور بابلی ; 26 February 1925 – 1 September 2004), better known as Delkash ( fa, دلکش ), was an Iranian diva singer and occasional actress with a rare and unique voice. Biography Delkas ...

, before her, Hayedeh sang with technical authority and passionate energy. Her laryngeal control made it possible for her to produce a series of graceful vibrato and glissando vocalizations required by the ''Avaz'' Persian vocal music. She could smoothly pass from the upper reaches of her alto voice to the lower, fuller, and darker range of the contralto. This mixture of strong laryngeal strength and learned vocal technique gave her alto-contralto voice a rare, powerful resonance and texture in the performance of the Avaz. Furthermore an acute sense for musical timing, the rhythmic flow of vocal music, affective musical phrasing, and poetic delivery enabled her to express and interpret effectively any songs she sang." Iranian pianist and journalist

Pejman Akbarzadeh Pejman Akbarzadeh ( fa, پژمان اكبرزاده, born 1980) is a Persian-Dutch pianist, journalist, music historian and documentary maker. Early life Born in Shiraz in 1980, Akbarzadeh had his first music lessons at the age of nine from Ghol ...

made a documentary '' Hayedeh: Legendary Persian Diva'' about Hayedeh which was screened in

Amsterdam Amsterdam ( , , , lit. ''The Dam on the River Amstel'') is the capital and most populous city of the Netherlands, with The Hague being the seat of government. It has a population of 907,976 within the city proper, 1,558,755 in the urban ar ...

in January 2009 for the first time. The documentary had its US premiere in May 2009 at the Noor Iranian Film Festival in Los Angeles and nominated as the Best Documentary at the festival. The film was also screened at 9th International Exile Film Festival (Sweden) and 4th Iranian Film Festival in the

Netherlands ) , anthem = ( en, "William of Nassau") , image_map = , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = Kingdom of the Netherlands , established_title = Before independence , established_date = Spanish Netherl ...

. Tehran-based FARS News Agency (close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard) cited the documentary as a film on the "Corrupt monarchist singer Hayedeh". The documentary was released on DVD on 20 January 2010, the 20th anniversary of Hayedeh's death, by "Persian Dutch Network" in Amsterdam. Various American universities have streamed the documentary on their server for educational purposes as well. In April 2019 the Los Angeles City Council recognized and celebrated Hayedeh, one of the most celebrated singers in Persian culture.

Partial discography

Studio albums

* ''Azadeh'' (1968) * ''Raftam'' (1968) * ''Nasepasi'' (1969) * ''Afsaneh Shirin'' (1970) – with

Shajarian Mohammad-Reza Shajarian ( fa, محمدرضا شجريان; , 23 September 1940 – 8 October 2020) was an Iranian singer and master ('' Ostad'') of Persian traditional music. He was also known for his skills in Persian calligraphy and humanitar ...

* ''Yaarab'' (1982) * ''Hamkhooneh'' (1984) – with

Viguen Viguen (born Viguen Derderian, fa, ویگن دردریان, ''Viguen Derderyân''; hy, Վիգէն Տէրտէրեան, ''Vigen Tērtērian''; 23 November 1929 – 26 October 2003), known as "King of Iranian pop" and the "Sultan of Jazz", was an ...

* ''Shabeh Eshgh'' (1985) * ''Shanehayat'' (1986) * ''Sogand'' (1988) * ''Safar'' (1988) – with

Moein Moeen or Moein or Moien is a given name and surname. It is a Quranic name which means: helper, supporter, or provider of refuge. Notable persons with the name include: Persons with the given name * Moein (singer) (born 1951), Iranian singer * ...

* ''Ey Zendegi Salaam'' (1989) * ''Golhayeh Ghorbat'' (1990) – with

* ''Bezan Taar'' (1991) * ''Kharabati'' (1991) * ''Golvaazheh'' (1991) * ''Khoda Hafez'' (1991) * ''Paadeshahe Khoobaan'' (1992) * ''Roozaayeh Roshan'' (1992) * ''Shabeh Asheghan'' – with Sattar * ''Naa Shanidehaa'' * ''Faryad'' * ''Bolboli Ke Khaamosh Shod'' * ''Aamadanet Mahaaleh'' * ''Owje Sedaa'' * ''Mehmaan'' * ''Hayf'' * ''Taranehyeh Saal''

Compailation

* ''Best of Hayedeh'' * ''40 Golden Hits of Hayedeh'' * ''40 Hayedeh Golden Songs'', Vol I * ''Hayedeh Golden Songs'', Vol II * ''Shirin Jaan, Hayedeh 4'' * ''Dashtestani, Hayedeh 5 * ''Afsaneh Shirin, Hayedeh 8''

References

External links

Documentary website
(in English & Persian)
Hayedeh live performance, National TV, Tehran, 1977
(Video) * * {{Authority control Contraltos 1942 births 1990 deaths People from Tehran Singers from Tehran Iranian folk singers Musicians from Tehran Women singers on Golha Caltex Records artists Taraneh Records artists Persian-language singers Iranian classical singers Iranian women pop singers Iranian singer-songwriters American women pop singers 20th-century American singers American people of Iranian descent 20th-century Iranian women singers 20th-century American women singers Iranian emigrants to the United States Burials at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery Exiles of the Iranian Revolution in the United States