In life you come across beautiful incredibly awesome people and I am here to Introduce you A True Armenian Legend, Maestro, Singer, Artist, Father, Grandfather, Uncle, A friend, a brother and a talent that was and still is truly one of a kind and a very rare gem and his name is Adiss Harmandian. Another name is Avedis – Adiss was born on January 14, 1945, in Beirut, Lebanon. He kicked off his musical career in the 1960s with his iconic song “Dzaghigner” and amongst other songs which then he became popular in Lebanon and the world began to know about Adiss and music. The diaspora quickly got hold of his music and he began to travel the world to perform on stages to grace the crowds with his presence.
Adiss moved to Los Angeles with his family. The family owns the iconic Baklava Factory in Encino which I had the pleasure and excitement on visiting 4 years ago or so. It was exciting to meet his son Norair. Many prominent figures, actors, actresses have visited the Baklava Factory to buy Middle Eastern sweets and more from there. He has had a restaurant in Lebanon called Adiss Signature and amongst other things.
Adiss’s energy was felt through his music and singing. He sang from the heart and was and still is a truly dedicated Armenian to his people. He has hundreds of thousands and even millions of fans worldwide who has become a staple in homes, vehicles while driving, stages, Armenian community centers, Armenian restaurants and more with his music blasted up, sung, and CD’s, Cassettes, and Vinyl records bought by so many people.
He became a pioneer in Armenian/Arabic and International music which then other musical performers began to follow in Adiss’s footsteps and his talent blossomed to others as well. It all began with Adiss.
His iconic musical career blossomed as he created 30 albums and over 400 songs that get you addicted to listening to him. Noune, Karoun Karoun, Kisher eh Kisher, Ashoun Eh Ashoun, Taline Anoushig, and Liana Liana both songs dedicated to his daughters Taline and Liana. He also has heratzir moratzir, he also has an album with the Iconic International Vatche, and he has had numerous duets with several singers and one of them is Ararad Aharonian. He has a whole lot of other popular songs of which I cannot share all of it, but if you search him online, you will see and listen to his music. He has had several band members and collaborated with Levon Ishkhanian and his band as well as local bands of certain locations in the world.
Adiss had also written a book called Yerki Jampov, meaning musical journey/road, and he tells his readers all about his life, music, some lyrics, amongst challenges and yet success stories, his tours all around the world and more. He has received many honorary awards from priests, dignitaries, amongst the Armenian community and in the world. He also earned a well-deserved medal called Mesrob Mashdots rare medallion!
Adiss is and will always be so near and dear to my heart and soul and to my family and to a lot of people I know around my Armenian community in Toronto and in Montreal in Canada and I know of many people around the world who share the same sentiments as I do. I have had the pleasure of speaking with Adiss Harmandian many times face-to-face. I have met him numerous amounts of times in Montreal and Toronto, Canada. Every single time I would hear him coming, I would definitely secure tickets to go see him with my family and I would go to Armenian Summer festivals in Toronto and Montreal for the purpose to see him. I took pictures with him every time and I love our pictures so much and the memories shared together. We would be the last ones to leave the party just so we can go talk to him freely and spend time with him.
Adiss was a kind-hearted, dedicated, driven, passionate, and an incredible person inside and out whom will forever be my #1 artist. The world become a lucky place with him. I truly appreciate all the hardships and hard work he went through to go through and to create his lovely music. and more. There truly aren’t enough words to describe this incredible and beautiful man.
We have all of his music and we have listened to it for probably over a million times, and we will never stop. I became quite close with his children with many conversations throughout the years and recently in the last 3-4 years and even more. It is such a pleasure to know his family and to be connected to them.
Adiss has been part of my life since I was a baby. My mother always put his music on at home while cleaning, cooking, and just sitting down and relaxing and when we are driving somewhere. My favourite is when I am driving to Montreal on the highway and I would put Adiss on in my car and it is so suiting and fitting to drive to his music passing through cities and towns. It is the absolute best. Greatest feeling ever. When we also had a cottage, we would drive up there too with his music. My mother introduced me to him and his music and I will forever be grateful to her for that. Listening to Adiss has been a vital part of my life and I appreciate it so much.
I thank Adiss for giving us these beautiful gifts of his music, talent and his life who he dedicated to us all who was so selfless, put his family, friends and fans first before everything else and worked day in and day out.
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In the last 15 years or so, Adiss had been battling cancer off and on, and in the last 2 years, his health deteriorated further and I was always communicating with his family. Sadly and unfortunately cancer took his life and passed away on Sunday September 1st, 2019 and passed away at the age of 74. Adiss was blessed with 3 children, Norair, Liana and Taline and was blessed with grandchildren as well.
His funeral took place at Forest Lawn in Los Angeles, California on Saturday September 7th, 2019 where someone said in a speech that Adiss was famous and popular worldwide before YouTube and social media was introduced and that is so absolutely true. I was unfortunately unable to attend the funeral physically, but they broadcasted the funeral online live so those who couldn’t attend to watch and be there with them. Adiss has been a huge part of the Armenian Identity and became the #1 prominent figure and face of Armenian Music and more. He was an artist as well. He has so many beautiful qualities about him that I just cannot even describe to you. It really hurts to know that he is not here anymore physically. It has definitely put a huge scar in my heart.
I learned so much more about him during his funeral and sharing more about his life from his children, priests, friends and more.
This past week has been a very difficult week for my family and I as we try to process this tremendous and huge loss. We had this bond with him that was so special. It has been a week full of tears, raw emotions, and so much more. The hurt, the devastation hit us very hard. We are trying to come to terms with this. We never thought this would ever happen.
It will take a long time for us to adjust to this new reality, but Adiss Harmandian’s soul, music, voice, memory, legacy and his life will forever live on with us. He is and will always live with us in our hearts forever. We love you so much Adiss and we forever will miss you. May your music forever be heard. God rest Adiss beautifully kind hearted Soul and may he rest in peace.
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Our condolences, thoughts and prayers go out to Adiss family, friends and our fellow fans around the world for this tremendous loss.
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Talin Orfali Ghazarian 