This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Obituaries
Singer Tilahun Gessesse dies
By CMU Editorial | Published on Tuesday 21 April 2009
Ethiopian singing star Tilahun Gessesse has died at the age of 68 after suffering from poor health for many years as a result of diabetes.
Gessesse was born in Addis Ababa but was taken by his grandfather to Waliso when he was fourteen years old, where he attended the Ras Gobena Elementary School. It was here that his interest in music was encouraged by the school’s Sudanese principal. He ran away from his grandfather, who was keen for him to pursue more academic disciplines, back to Addis Ababa, after being advised that it was the best place to be if he wanted to embark on a career in music. He initially sang with the Hagar Fikir Association, before joining the Imperial Bodyguard Band. He later fell foul of the government and ended up in prison, moving on, following his release, to the country’s national theatre. He went on to perform on several occasions for emperor Haile Selassie, and over the years received many prizes and honours.
A dominant figure in Ethiopian culture for more than half a century, his death prompted TV and radio stations in the country to break into programmes in order to broadcast tributes.
