AZNAVOUR TO RECORD MUSIC VIDEO IN SUPPORT OF HAITI
Armenian Weekly
January 18, 2010
PARIS, France (A.W., AFP)-Dozens of French rappers and pop stars are
joining renowned singers Charles Aznavour and Youssou N’Dour to record
a music video on Jan. 22 to raise funds for quake-stricken Haiti. "A
Gesture for Dear Haiti" (Un geste pour Haiti cherie) will be widely
distributed to French television stations, appealing to viewers to
make a donation for quake relief.
Aznavour talking to the Armenian Weekly editor at the Nokia Theatre in
Dec. 2009. (Photo by Chris Agazaryan) Hip hop duo Neg’Marrons wrote
the music and each of the 40 odd artists would contribute a line to
the lyrics of the song that would be recorded in a Paris studio, said
a spokesman for Trace TV music channel. Slam poet Grand Corps Malade,
rappers Passi and Stomy Bugsy were among the big names taking part
along with 85-year-old Aznavour, who is French-Armenian, and N’Dour,
of Senegalese origin. Haitian-born stand-up comic Anthony Kavanagh,
who lives in Canada, separately called on French artists to organize a
fundraising telethon for Haiti, where tens of thousands are feared dead
from the quake. "We have to do something. We have to send money. There
is nothing left there, but abysmal misery," said Kavanagh.
Rapper Kery James, whose parents are of Haitian origin, will be giving
a charity concert while leading French playwright Robert Hossein
said all proceeds from a theatre performance next week will go toward
medical relief, AFP reported.
Aznavour launched a similar initiative in the aftermath of the 1989
earthquake in Armenia. He collaborated with dozens of famous French
singers and released the song "Pour Toi Armenie," raising funds
for relief. In the following years, he continued raising funds for
reconstruction efforts in Armenia through his own organization.
Charles Aznavour has appeared in more than 60 movies, composed about
1,000 songs (including at least 150 in English, 100 in Italian,
70 in Spanish, and 50 in German), and sold well over 100 million
records. In 1998, Charles Aznavour was chosen as Entertainer of the
Century by CNN and users of Time Online from around the globe. He was
recognized as the century’s outstanding performer, with nearly 18%
of the total vote, edging out Elvis Presley and Bob Dylan. He has
sung for presidents, popes, and royalty, as well as at humanitarian
events, and is the founder of the charitable organization Aznavour
for Armenia along with his long-time friend and impresario Levon Sayan.
Aznavour started his global farewell tour in late 2006, which continues
through this day. In 2009, he was appointed as Ambassador of Armenia
to Switzerland, as well as Armenia’s permanent delegate to the United
Nations at Geneva.
Sarkisian sends letter of condolences to the President of Haiti
Last week, Armenian President Sarkisian sent a letter of condolences
to the President of Haiti Rene Garcia Preval. The President said
Armenia was ready to provid assistance to the victims of the disaster.