Shohreh (singer)
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Shohreh Solati (
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) (born Fatemeh Solati on Jan 4, 1959 in Tehran, Iran) is a popular Iranian singer who has had one of the most consistently active and prolific careers among her contemporary, women Iranian singers. Since the Islamic Revolution in Iran, she has been continuing her music career in exile, achieving acclaim for her contribution to Iranian music and attaining recognition for her ability to continuously change her appearance and fashion style, which has engendered comparisons to the American diva Madonna.
Biography
Born in Tehran to a family of artists and entertainers, Shohreh developed an interest in music early on - singing at seven years of age. She later went on to study at the National Iranian Music Conservatory, where she received training in singing and the clarinet. Her first album titled Dokhtar-e-Mashreghi (Eastern Girl) was successful, garnering some notability. Magazines directed toward the youth of Iran in the 1970s also gave exposure to the singer.
The Revolution
Shortly before the Revolution in 1978, Shohreh left Iran and, due to imposed restrictions of the new leadership on entertainers, was not able to return. She initially settled in New York and soon after married. Since the revolution came so unexpectedly, she and other exiled Iranian singers initially faced some difficulties to re-establish the community. However, after the birth of her daughter, Shohreh became more involved in her professional career.
Wider Appeal
Leaving behind New York, Shohreh moved to Los Angeles in the early 80s, settling with the exiled Iranian music industry of the 70s, who also established in that city. Working with songwriters, composers and arrangers such as Mohammed Moqadam, Jaklin, Siavash Ghomeishi and Shubert Avakian, a couple of new albums were produced and released. Most of these albums were nostalgic of the golden years of Iranian life just a few years before and thus appealed to a much wider audience, giving Shohreh’s fame momentum. The yearning for Iran in Shohreh’s music established a strong solidarity amongst the struggling Iranians who found comfort in her songs.
Her notable albums during this period include Jaan Jaan, Salam, Sedaayeh Paa and Shenidam. Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, Solati managed to increase her appeal by the release of newer albums, each earning commendation.
However, it was not until the release of the album Zan (released 1994) that she unequivocally garnered positive reviews from critics. The themes of her songs in that album not only highlighted greater recognition of women’s rights, but they also underlined the importance of women's duties. Furthermore, in the video “Ayeneh” (Zan) she donned on a black chador (the traditional garment worn by women of Iran), a move that evoked affection from the Iranian community toward a singer who represented her background with such pride. This led to the success of her concert at Hollywood Paladium in October 1995. At the turn of the millennium, Shohreh continued releasing more albums outreaching her popularity beyond the borders of Iran. With the release of Safar, Atr, Ghessehgoo, Sayeh, Pishooni, and Havas she has rivaled the work of such singers as Leila Forouhar and Googoosh. Some have argued that Shohreh in fact has eclipsed these singers in the last few years. Her music albums produced outside of Iran have now outnumbered her numbers before the revolution. She has been credited to have given sold out performances in USA, Canada, Norway, Denmark, Netherlands, Italy, Britain, Sweden, France, Switzerland, Germany, Cypress, Turkey and Israel.
Recent Involvements
It was announced on Shohreh's official website in 2006 that the singer is working on a new album. The release date of this work is not yet available. Also in that same announcement, it was disclosed that she also will be starting her own fragrance line. When this perfume will be commercially available is to be publicized soon.
Personal Life
Family
Unlike her career, little is known about Shohreh's personal life. She is divorced from her husband, Khosrow Nayebi, and has not married since. Whether past marital problems prevented her from future marriage commitments, she does not elaborate.
Shohreh has one daughter named Tannaz, to whom she is said to be close. She dedicated a song to her from her recent album Havas. She has a close-knit family, and she sometimes collaborates with her brother Shahram Solati on various albums. In Panjereha (1994), both were critically acclaimed.
Claims
In a recent interview broadcast on a Los Angeles-based Iranian satellite TV station, she spoke of abuse that resulted in a dislocated shoulder by Mahmoud Ghorbani, Googoosh's ex-husband. His assistance in starting Shohreh's career is admitted by both parties; however, he has recently claimed romantic involvement with the singer. Shohreh has dismissed this statement as egotistically motivated. It is speculated that due to Shohreh's accelerating fame in recent years, individuals are now asserting a special place in the singer's personal life. As of 2006, beyond a professional relationship, no evidence of romance between the two has come to light.
Discography
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Videography
- Shohreh Live in Canada
- Best of Shohreh and Shahram
- Best of Shohreh #1
- Best of Shohreh #2
- Zan Album Videos (Selected Videos)
- Nemizaram Beri Album Videos (Selected Videos)
- Atr Album Videos (Selected Videos)
- Safar Album Videos (Selected Videos)
- Pishooni Album Videos (Selected Videos)
- Havas Album Videos (Selected Videos)
Trivia
- Solati designed the costumes of her Havas album herself.
- Solati has two sisters and three brothers.
- Solati's brother, Shahram Solati, is also a singer.
- She is a good friend to colleague Leila Forouhar.
References
Havas DVD. Shohreh’s Exclusive Interview. Nava Media Co. June 2005.
Tehran Magazine . Leila Forouhar, Shohreh, or Helen: Whom Would You Pick as Best? Issue 479. Page 72-73. http://www.tehranmagazine.com
External links
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