all news in one place: Jun 14, 2008

In 1961 Amr Diab is born in Port Said, Egypt on October 11th (Wednesday 1 Jumaada al-awal 1381 A.H.). His father, Abdul Basset Diab, worked for the Suez Canal Corporation as Chairman of Marine Construction & Shipbuilding. Abdul himself had a fine singing voice and is credited for encouraging his son to sing. In 1967 Amr joins the school band in the Port Said Laissait, his primary school. On July 23rd, he makes his first official school appearance at the Festival at Port Said where he visits the local broadcasting station and sings Biladi, Biladi (Egypt's national anthem)on Egyptian Radio. For his efforts, he wins a guitar and receives recognition from the Governor of Port Said. In 1981 Amr is "approved" (accepted as a professional) by Egyptian Radio and Television. In 1982 Amr arrives in Cairo (direct from Port Said) and enrolls in the High-College for Arabic Music In 1983 Amr records his very first song, El Zamn, (lyrics by Hani Zaki, music by Hani Shnouda) but the recording is a failure. In 1986 Diab graduates from Cairo Academy of Art. Ya Tareek is released, Diab's very first album. Diab's 2nd album, Gany Men Albak, is also released in 1986 In 1987 The album Asef La Yougad Hal Akhar is released and is followed up by the release of Khalseen. The latter proves to be a major hit which establishes Amr as an up-and-coming star. In 1988 Hala Hala is released and its title track becomes a hit. Mayal is also released. In August, Amr marks his cinematic debut with the release of the movie, El Saginatean, (Two Prisoners) where he stars with Elham Shaheen and Youssef Shaaban. In 1989 Shawa'na is released, arranged by Hamid El Shaeri who will prove to play a significant role in the coming years. In 1990 Amr represents Egypt at the 5th Tournament of African Sports and sings in Arabic, English and French during a concert televised by satellite throughout the Arab world and highlighted on CNN. Matkhafesh is released; the accompanying video clip is filmed inside Amr's Cairo home and features ex-wife Sherin Rida (mother of his daughter, Nour). He is purportedly the first Arab artist to make a video clip. In North America, Amr becomes the first young Arabic singer to perform at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC (the only other Arabic artists ever invited were Fairouz and Wadia El Safi). It is reported that Diab was interviewed at a Washington TV station for four hours. Amr's 2nd movie, El Aafareet, is released with a cast including Madeha Kamel and Naaema EL Sagheer. In 1991 Habibi is released; Diab uses the saxophone in his work for the first time. Africa is released by Delta Sound In 1992 Ayamna is released, wholly arranged by Hamid and including the hit, El Mady. The movie, Ice Cream Fi Gleem, is released and stars Diab alongside a cast that includes such talents as Simon, Ezat Abou Ouf, Hossam Hosny, Ashraf Abdel Ba'ei, Gihan Fadel, Hussain El Emam and Alaa Waly-El Din. The movie's soundtrack is also released in 1992, the most popular songs proving to be Raseef Nemra Khamsa and H'atmarad Ala El Wadaa El Hali. Amr is selected to sing the central song (Bel Hob Etgamaana) at the Fifth Olympic African Tournament. This year, he also co-produces the song Ainy for Egyptian singer, Simon (he won't produce again until 2001 with Wala Ala Balo) In 1993 Ya Omrena is released. The track, Kan Aandak Ha'a, proves very popular as does the accompanying video clip shot against a scenic mountain backdrop. Amr plays opposite Omar Sharif in the movie, Dhahk We La'ab (Laughter & Fun) which opens in 1993 at the Egyptian Film Festival. In 1994 Weyloumouny is released, debuting Amr's incorporation of Spanish guitar. In 1995 the video clip accompanying the release of Rageen is much-hyped for its combination of both B&W and color camera work. Zkriat is also released. In 1996 Nour El Ain is released mid-year and is a huge success both in the Middle East and internationally. In fact, it becomes the best selling album ever released by an Arabic artist. The accompanying video clip (produced by Alam El Phan, as was the CD) is a lavish, expensive production. In 1997 Habibi - The Remix Album is released and is wildly popular on dance floors throughout Europe. Diab wins three awards (Best Video, Best Song, Artist of the Year) at the Annual Arabic Festival In 1998 the studio album, Awedony, is released in July, the title track video clip having been shot on the banks of the Nile in Upper Egypt. The CD is another huge success. On May 6, Amr is honored at Monaco's World Music Awards as the 1998 "World's Best Selling Middle Eastern Artist", hardly surprising given that since its release Nour El Ain has gone triple platinum. Diab reportedly donates monies raised by the awards ceremony towards establishing a hospital in Cairo's Muqattam district In 1999 The Best Of Amr Diab is released early in the year. It includes Ana Mahama Kibirt Sugheir, a tribute to such influential legends as Abdel El Halim and Om Kalthom. A spectacular video is shot to accompany this song. On July 28th, Amarain is released and includes duets with Algerian Rai superstar, Khaled, and Greek Diva, Angela Dimitrou. The title track is released as a video and the song itself is heard constantly and continually throughout Egypt for months on end. Amr tours North America from mid-September to mid-October and is well-received in Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, LA, Detroit, Houston and Washington. On December 4th the Diab family expands by two when twins Kenza and Abdullah are born in Washington DC.