Tilahun Gessesse

Tilahun Gessesse (ጥላሁን ገሠሠ; 27 September 1940 – 19 April 2009) was an Ethiopian singer regarded as one of the most popular Ethiopian artist of the 20th century.

Tilahun Gessesse was born on 27 September 1940 in Addis Ababa to a father named Gessesse Negusse and a mother named Gete Gurmu.

Tilahun attended the Ras Gobena Elementary school in Waliso where his grandfather lived.

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 Shedad (who was from Sudan), encouraged Tilahun's interest in music and urged him to go to Sudan to pursue his music career.

Although Tilahun did not go to Sudan, he took Shedad's advice very seriously.

When Woizero Negatwa Kelkay, Eyoel Yohanes and other artists from the Hager Fikir Theatre came to his school to perform, Tilahun took the opportunity to discuss his interest in music with Eyoel.

He was told to go to Addis Ababa if he wanted to pursue a career in the field.

Tilahun dropped out of school at age 13 and tried to travel to Addis Ababa to pursue his career, a journey he began on foot without his family's consent.

Tilahun traveled fifteen kilometers on foot, he was caught in the small town of Tulu Bolo and stayed overnight with his aunt.

The next day, he was forced to return to his grandfather in Waliso.

Since his interest in music is perceived enthusiastic, Tilahun chose not to stay at his grandfather's house in Waliso.

After staying only one night at his grandfather's house, he again began his journey to Addis Ababa, this time hiding in the back of a loaded truck.

In Addis Ababa, Tilahun was first hired by the Hager Fikir Association, which is now known as Hager Fikir Theatre.

After a few years at the Hager Fikir Theater, he joined the Imperial Bodyguard Band where he became a leading star singer.

Noted by his tenor voice, he was nicknamed "The Voice" during his country's "Golden Age" in the 1960s.

Tilahun was an eminent singer whose works are attributed legacy to Ethiopian music.

During his time with the band, Tilahun came into conflict with the Ethiopian government after a attempted coup d'état in December 1960 by the Imperial Bodyguard.

He was arrested and put in prison for some time.

Tilahun moved to the National Theater where his success continued.

His tenor singing was regarded as the best Ethiopian pop voice of the 1960s.

His popularity was such that he appeared three times in front of Emperor Haile Selassie I.

During a visit, the Emperor advised him not to abuse his talent.

Besides his popularity, he raised money for aid during the famines of the 1970s and 1980s and earned the affection of the nation, being awarded a doctorate degree by the Addis Ababa University and also winning a lifetime achievement award from the Ethiopian Fine Art and Mass Media Prize Trust.

Recordings made by Tilahun during the 1970s and 1980s helped raise large sums of money to aid famine victims.

The majority of his recordings were in Amharic, but he did also record a few in Oromo.

Tilahun released his debut single "Yehagere Shita" in 1970, accompanied with 7", mono formats and Philp Philips served as the record label. With these formats, Tilahun continued to release singles and EPs, including "Tiz Alegn Yetintu" (1970), with Mulatu Astatke, "Kulun Manqualesh", "Min Libejegn" (1972), "Aykedashm Lebe" (1974), and "Yikir Yibelatchew / Leyito Blaskerew" (1974).

He received an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Addis Ababa University, in appreciation of his contribution to Ethiopian music.

He also received an award for his lifetime achievements from the Ethiopian Fine Art and Mass Media Prize Trust.

In 1975, Tilahun released eponymous LP Tilahun Gessesse, Amha Records served as the label.

When collaborating with The Walias, they together worked to re-recording the older version of LPs since 1983 under Misrach Music Group.

First in 1992 with Tilahun Gessesse Volumes 1 & 2, a double CD of his best works and the first time his music was available to a wider audience outside of Ethiopia.

Despite some health problems, especially following a life-threatening slash to his neck after a stabbing attempt which occurred on Ethiopian Easter Sunday in 1993, Tilahun still managed to continue to record his music, especially after spending time in the US where he recorded three different CDs with Ethio-Grooves Records.

Three years later, he released Wegen Alegn in 1995 followed by Andand Negeroch in 1999.

Each album were re-recordings of his older songs which were done by prominent instrumentalists such as Abegasu Kibrework, Fasil Wuhib, Teddy Mak, Theodros Mitiku, Yared Tefera, and other artists.

In 2000, Ethio-Sound released a collection CD of his old recordings entitled Tilahun Gessesse Greatest Hits

Tilahun died from diabetes on 19 April 2009 shortly after returning from the United States.

His funeral took place in Addis Ababa at Holy Trinity Cathedral on 23 April with mass public figures and mourners gathered.

Tilahun's work is often compared with Teddy Afro, who is also considered to have a huge impact on the Ethiopian music industry.

Tilahun died on 19 April 2009 in Addis Ababa as he was being taken to hospital by his wife.