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Tilahun Gessesse passed away

Posted on , Updated on by Elias Kifle

News sources in Addis Ababa are reporting that legendary Ethiopian singer {www:Tilahun Gessesse} has passed away at midnight last night.

Tilahun, 69, had been receiving medical treatment in the U.S. for several months and returned to Ethiopia a few days ago to celebrate Easter (Fasika) with family and friends.

He was admitted to a hospital after complaining about heart problem. On Sunday, the VOA had planned to hold an interview with Tilahun, but the interview had to be canceled due to his deteriorating condition.

The following is a video of one of Tilahun’s popular songs:

Brief biography of Tilahun Gessesse

Tilahun Gessesse is a legendary Ethiopian singer whose singing career spans 5 dacades. He was born on September 29, 1940, in Addis Ababa and died on April 19, 2009.

Gessesse was born to Woizero Gete Gurmu, who was Oromo, and Ato Gessesse Negusse, who was Amhara. When he was fourteen years old, he was taken by his grandfather to Waliso where he began attending Ras Gobena Elementary School.

As time went by, his interest in music became increasingly clear, although his grandfather urged him to concentrate on his academic studies. The Ras Gobena School Principal Mr. Shedad (who was from Sudan), encouraged Gessesse’s interest in music and urged him to go to Sudan to pursue his music career. Although Gessesse did not go to Sudan, he took Mr. Shedad’s advice very seriously. When Woizro Negatwa Kelkai, Ato Eyoel Yohanes and others artists from the Hager Fikir Theatre came to his school to perform, Gessesse took the opportunity to discuss his interest in music with Ato Eyoel. He was told to go to Addis Ababa if he wanted to pursue a career in the field.

Gessesse left school to go to Addis Ababa, a journey he began on foot without his grandfather’s consent. When his grandfather realized that Tilahun was no longer in Woliso, he informed Gessesse’s great-aunt in Tulu Bolo. After Gessesse traveled fifteen kilometers on foot, he was caught in Tulu Bolo and stayed overnight with his great-aunt Woizero Temene Bantu. The next day, he was forced to return back to his grandfather in Woliso. Since his interest in music lay deep in his heart, Gessesse chose not to stay at his grandfather’s house in Woliso. After staying only one night at his grandfather’s house, he again began his journey to Addis Ababa, this time hiding himself in the back of a loaded truck.

In Addis Ababa, Gessesse was first hired by the Hager Fikir Association, which is now known as Hager Fikir Theater. After a few years at the Hager Fikir Theater, he joined the Imperial Bodyguard Band where he became a leading star singer. During his time with the band, Gessesse ran afoul of the government after the attempted coup d’état of December 1960 by the Imperial Bodyguard. He was arrested and put in prison for a time.

Gessesse moved to the National Theater where his success continued. He was so famous that he appeared three times in front of Emperor Haile Selassie I. During a visit, the Emperor advised him not to abuse his talent.

The majority of Gessesse’s recordings are in Amharic, though he has recorded a number of songs in Oromo.

He received an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Addis Ababa University, in appreciation of his contribution to Ethiopian music. He has also received an award for his lifetime achievements from the Ethiopian Fine Art and Mass Media Prize Trust.

Sources: Wikipedia

127 thoughts on “Tilahun Gessesse passed away”

  2. I am so sad when i heard the death of our Legend Musician Tilahun Gessese from media. Sorry for all his fans and families.

    Mesfin Abraha (Journalist)
    The Netherlands

  4. ዶር ጥላሁን:- ነብስ ይማር:: ሃገርህና የዓለም የሙዚቃ ሕብረተሰብ ሲያስታውስህ ይኖራል:: ሥራህ ምንጊዜም ህያው ነው::

  7. Tilie lived in love working for his country deligently.
    And generations will continue missing him.

    At this moment: any one who is a pain for Ethiopia need to start living a life like Tilahun. Repent and work for Ethiopia, not against your people. Live to contrubute to the betterment of the people. All Woyanie and Woyanie friends; do you think a nation will miss you when you die. Live beyond race like Tilahun.

    May God bless his Soul with Abraham, Stifanos, …

  10. ታዋቂው ዘፋኝና የጥላሁን ጉዋደኛ የነበረው፡ ፍሬው ሀይሉ “የእንጀራ ነገር ሁኖ ነው እንጂ ዘፋኝስ ጥላሁን ነው” ብሎ ነበር ተብሎ ይነገር ነበር በዘመናችን;
    የሁለቱንም ነብስ በመንግስተ ሰማያት አምላክ ያኑርልን።

  13. I was crying so hard because hearing this news. Tilahun’s music has touched my soul like no one has done before especially his old songs! May god rest his soul.

    There is one great singer who may not replace Tilahun but who can comfort us like Tilahn and that is Teddy Afro! These singers who are looked down on because of their profession love their country very much and express it through their songs. They are our treasures!

  16. We miss you, Tilahun! You are the one, who remembered the starved people (way way silu), who advocated national unity, peace, love & every thing. May God rest your soul in heaven!

  17. Aye gash tilhaun ! aye gash tilhaun! I’m so sad this man is the king of ethiopian legendary music. Even if u died already we always remember u Miss u. GOd bless ur soul.

  24. Very sad news, We Ethiopians lost our great singer and friend. He was our national image of music, harmony and love overall he touched every one of us. My soul rest in peace!

  25. Tilahun Gessese, one of the best Ethiopian singers, would be remembered forever for his many contributions of different songs to the Ethiopian people. One of his best songs, as I remember, is “Monolizayenesh.”

    As he had entertained millions of Ethiopians, young and old, with his memorable songs, May the Almighty God receive his soul with the melodies of the heavenly angels.

  27. Wooow……Sad news to the nation all.
    ……Lord grant the bereaved family strength after the sad loss of their beloved Dr. Tilahun Gessesse. Father, God bless all the sons and daughters of Ethiopians and rest in peace the soul of our beloved Dr. Tilahun Gessesse . Bless his family in whatever it is that you know they may need this time. May their life be full of your peace, prosperity and power as they seek to have a closer relationship with you? Love you!

  30. One of ethiopias formost child, Tilahun Guessese, will be missed greatly. As an ethiopian he is the envi of every ethiopian for his tremendeous contibution in the entertainment world of ethiopia. Tilahun has touched with his music every ethiopian’s emotion from all walks of life. He will be rememebered as one the greatest statesmen of ethiopia which is a rarity in an ocean of cruks, murderers and thiefs. We all love you and rememeber you for ever.

  31. Ma y God bless his soul and be with him to rest in peace. My deepest condolence to his children, family, friends and funs.

    Millions of people have loved others and their countries with the reinforcement of Tilahun Gessesses’s music. He was a life of weddings, celebrations, love, joy and hope.

    It is as if that generation had come to its end. He broke the fast of Easter on Sunday in celebration of the day Jesus Christ won over death. Tilahun is immortal and will remain in the memories of millions of people. I am choking with tears, but also relieved he knew, he had made millions of people so happy in good and bad times. Considering death is inevitable for all of us, his family and funs should find comfort and celebrate his music. A man like him did not die; he accomplished and rested.

    I believe his last marriage could have been a comfort for him; and in some of his video interviews, his beautiful wife joined him. If there is an address to mail her and his children condolence cards, please post

  32. እመበት አፍወርቅ
    የሃዘን መግለጭ ለቤተስቦቹ ሁሉ ማቅረብ ትፈልጋለች:

    ነብሱን አምላክ ይማርልን:

    My condolence goes to his entire and family.
    Tilahun, you will be missed by many. May the good lord keep your sole by his side!

    Emmy Afework

  33. Tafesse
    I am very very sad. oh ! may god bless his soul when i heard the sad news i was crying and i thought my country ethiopia has lost one of her greatest artist of all times. it is shocking for all of us. i wept for tilahun and to my
    country. it is really a grief which i couldn’t forget in my
    life.he loves his country and people Tilahun was always among us.he was with us when we are in solace and happiness.
    we celebrated this easter even with his songs.ciao !! ciao !! ciao !

  35. It is one of those days when you are reminded the fact that nothing lasts forever. He touched all of our lives through his music. I know hearing his voice always takes me to the happiest times. Tilahun was a legend before his death and will continue to be.

    Nebse Yimar.

  36. TilahunGesses the king of Amharic music i grow up with his lovely and wonderful music always. His songs go to my blood i will never and ever forget his songs. I feel so sad.When he was the hospital in holly cross i was working and i saw him every morning but i couldn’t talk to him because of my tears. He always with us. His a legendary Ethiopan singer.

  38. Thanks for making us feel beautiful. Thank you for making us see the beauty of love. Thank you for let us make up when we breakup. Thank you for making us flirts even when we are not good at. Thank you for making us love ourselves so that we can love our country. Thank you for sharing your life with us, we cherish it for years and years to come through your songs.

    God be with you

  39. I remember those days when I spent countless hours at ‘Baste bet’ listening records of Tilahun and the Kibur Zebegna orchestra. Yegitmu derasi, astewawakiw Gezahegne Desta, yezemaw derasi Abubeker Ashike, Akenebabariw Sahle Degago, Zefagnoch Tilahun, Buzunesh Bekele, Tefera Kasa, Isatu Tesema, Tezera Abate and Muhamud. They were the best, and Tilahun was the best of the best. I remember the New Year eves (Inqutatash) when I was glued to the radio listening the new songs, live broadcast from Haile Selassie I Theater and Lideta Adarash. Thanks Gash Tilahun for the best memories of my childhood days. Rest in Peace my condolence to his family.

  41. May his soul rest in peace, I was just wondering, what a year, famous people are leaving out fast, Ethiopia lost many public figures this year, isn’t it strange,
    God the Almighty Bless our great country

  44. If Elvis Presley still lives in the psyche of million people, the renowned Ethiopian singer’s works shall remain in the spirit of every Ethiopian forever as well.

  48. we will miss Tilahun forever. his works will be remembered by all people of Ethiopia. I know how it feels when a family member suddenly dies, but we all human beings are mortals. it is the law of nature. May his soul rest in peace.

  50. Fetle T. says:
    I was shocked when I heard Tilahun’s death. I am sorry to hear about that. He is our beloved brother. Tilahun never dies. We Ethiopians will not forget him; because of his good works will be remembered by all people of Ethiopia. I know how it feels when a family member suddenly dies, but all human beings are mortal. It is the law of nature. God will give strength and peace to all of his family and friends. God, take Tilahun’s soul and allow him to rest in peace in Heaven.

    I miss you; it is hard to say good bye…

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