TEHRAN (AFP) — Irish singer Chris de Burgh said on Wednesday he had realised a lifelong dream by visiting Iran, expressing hope he would be the first Western pop star to perform in the Islamic republic since the 1979 revolution.
The 59-year-old arrived in Tehran on Tuesday to examine the possibility of holding a series of concerts this autumn for Iranians, who are among his most faithful fans.
“I can’t tell you what a great pleasure it is to be here. This has been my dream since I was a little boy,” the clearly delighted singer told a conference packed with domestic and foreign journalists in the Iranian capital.
De Burgh said he was aware of the restrictions imposed on performing arts in Iran but insisted that he was determined to play concerts to “make a difference”.
“I am not politically naive and I don’t believe everything I read in the media,” he said, adding that friends and family had raised eyebrows at his plans of visiting Iran and tried to talk him out of it. Source
P.S: De Burgh has been invited by the Taraneh Sharghi music production company, whose leading pop band, Arian group, has recorded a song called “The Words I Love You” with de Burgh in a mix of English and Persian.
Arian in 1999 was the first Iranian pop band after the revolution to receive a permit to perform in public. All recordings and concerts in Iran require a permit from the ministry of culture and Islamic guidance to be legal. Even if there is a vibrant underground musical culture in Iran, with dozens of singers and bands using computers to record songs and releasing them on the net and contraband CDs.
Chris de Burgh is the first Western pop singer who has been allowed to perform in Iran since the Islamic revolution. I like some of his songs. Arian group will have a concert in collaboration with de Burgh for October or November. I’ll see if i can find its ticket. *Wink*
Which song of de Burgh you like most?
May 29, 2008 at 12:41 am
The only chris de burgh song i like/remember is “Lady in Red”.
anyone know that?
May 29, 2008 at 12:43 am
Abdul, Lady in Red:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcWspfgk9c8
May 29, 2008 at 3:28 am
I have to confess I don’t know songs of Chris de Burgh (OOOPS … I know!) but I like the fact he’s in Iran and allowed to sing a LOT!!
I guess I have to educate myself and listen t at least SOME of his songs …
May 29, 2008 at 6:52 am
The guys are hotties…too bad I am unfamiliar with their music.
May 29, 2008 at 8:41 am
Karin, Ah i linked in previous comment to one of his videos in Youtube. But i also meant the fact that he is in Iran anyway. Some people think there is not any music in Iran! lol You see those women in the foto are also singers too.
Charlene Farber, haha, I wonder. He is so popular in Iran.
May 29, 2008 at 10:52 am
Lady in Red is the only good song. I agree with Abdul although I am angry with him
May 29, 2008 at 12:49 pm
Achelois, lol, i thought he is popular in countries too. Bcs in Iran he is quite popular. Why you’re mad at Abdul then?!
May 29, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Ahem…ok…I dont know this Chris De Burgh but I just wanted to say that that Iranian pop group is so cute
May 29, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Ordinary girl, LOL, i even think they’re handsome too.
May 29, 2008 at 1:52 pm
The pic of the arian band u posted. the women in the cent is nice
. She’s got that ” I really want to know you!” look :p
I get that look from women so much…….
(Ok abdul chill out…..too much information!)
May 29, 2008 at 11:09 pm
I just wanted to say im an ordinary joe, most of the time, probably less than that, its only occasionally i get that look from women. most of the time they just walk past me like i dont exist Sharzad.
So im not all that..
May 29, 2008 at 11:17 pm
Abdul, It’s OK. Sometimes it happens. Actually one’s look is not as important as strong presence. For example I did not marry Shahryar for his handsomeness. Same goes for most women. Or some women?
May 29, 2008 at 11:53 pm
Chris De Burgh and Arian Band, New Album:
May 30, 2008 at 10:41 pm
Never heard of this guy. :-/
June 2, 2008 at 4:20 am
“don’t pay the ferryman, don’t even fix a price, don’t pay the ferryman, untill he gets you to the other side.”
old chris song(wink)….
June 7, 2008 at 6:53 am
Oh Chris is the greatest singer that I ever known since my childhood.
June 17, 2008 at 9:28 pm
They all suck. I am not fan of this Irish clown. And all these “Bache Gherties”. The good performances of chris de burgh are less than 4 or 5.
God bless the king of Rock n Roll.
God bless Elvis Presley the American king of the music of all times. past, present and future !