Omar Khorshid: Egyptian icon

Egyptian guitarist Omar Khorshid
Egyptian guitarist Omar Khorshid Photo courtesy of Omarkhorshid.org
Egyptian guitarist Omar Khorshid
Egyptian guitarist Omar Khorshid Photo courtesy of Omarkhorshid.org

Omar Khorshid: Egyptian icon

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Egyptian guitarist Omar Khorshid (Photo courtesy of Omarkhorshid.org)

Egyptian guitarist Omar Khorshid is a music and film icon in the Arab world. Born in Cairo in 1945, he came into the Arab music scene during Egypt’s “cultural revolution.” In the mid-’60s Khorshid had a band called Le Petit Chats, an Egyptian beat group modeled after the prevailing influence of Elvis and the Beatles.

His film compositions are remembered as being the most progressive of the time; compositions for Tbnati El Aziza won him the Premier Prix award at the Film Festival of Tachkand in 1971. Despite his short career — he died in 1981 — Omar Khorshid’s contribution remains an integral part of Egypt’s musical fabric.

Wednesday on Worldview, Jerome and Eight Forty-Eight/Radio M host Tony Sarabia listen to his music and discuss his career. 

Track list:

1. Johnny Guitar

2. Njoum El Layl

3. Ijaza min al Hobb

4. Hebbina Hebbina (Love Us Like We Love You)