In 2007, Hayko became Armenia’s second-ever Eurovision entrant when he sang “Anytime You Need”, finishing in eighth place. The dramatic ballad conveyed his devotion to his beloved, whose tears he said he would always wipe away.

With his passing, the opening lyrics now have a haunting quality: “Why, baby, tell me why does someone always say goodbye?”

The Top 10 finish was but one of many achievements in his storied career, which also included being named Best Singer at the Armenian National Music Awards in 2003 and 2006.

Hayko maintained a close relationship to the world of Eurovision, serving as a judge on the 2017 national selection show Depi Evratesil.

There have been more than 260,000 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Armenia since the start of the pandemic. More than 5,000 people have lost their lives, while more than 240,000 have recovered.

Our thoughts are with Hayko’s friends, family and fans as they grieve their loss and celebrate his musical legacy.