Tilahun Gessesse

Tilahun Gessesse was born as Daandanaa Ayyaano Guddata to Getee Gurmu and Ayyaano Guddata on September 29, 1940 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. His parents later separated thus Gessesse and his mother moved to Waliso, Oromia region where he was raised. When his mother remarried to Gessesse Nigusse, Gessesse was baptized and used his baptized name “Tilahun” and his stepfather’s last name. 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 Weyzero Negatwa Kelkai, 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 and tried to travel to the capital city to pursue his dream a journey he began on foot without his family's consent. Tilahun traveled fifteen kilometers on foot, he was caught in a small town of Tulu Bolo and stayed overnight with his aunt. The next day, he was forced to return to his grandfather in Woliso. Since his interest in music lay deep in his heart, Tilahun chose not to stay at his grandfather's house in Woliso. After staying only one night at his grandfather’s house, he again began his journey to Addis Ababa, this time hiding himself in the back of a loaded truck.

Tilahun at the Washington DC Ethiopian Soccer Tournament in summer 2008

In Addis Ababa, Tilahun was first hired by the Hager Fikir Association, which is now known as Hager Fikir Theater. After a few years at the Hager Fikir Theater, he joined the Imperial Bodyguard Band where he became a leading star singer.[2] During his time with the band, Tilahun ran afoul of the government after the attempted coup d'état of December 1960 by the Imperial Bodyguard. He was arrested and put in prison for a time.[3]

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

Recordings made by Tilahun during the 1970s and 1980s helped raise large sums of money to aid famine victims.[5] The majority of his recordings were in Amharic, but he did also record in Oromo.[4] In 1975, Tilahun released eponymous LP Tilahun Gessesse, Amha Records served as the label. With Ethio Grooves, Tilahun released Tilahun Gessesse Vol. 1/Vol. 2 in 1992 as cassette release. The third version is released in that year.

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

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).[6]

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.[7] [8]

Tilahun died on April 19, 2009 in Addis Ababa as he was being taken to hospital by his wife. He had just returned to Ethiopia from the United States. He had been in poor health for several years due to diabetes.[9] The Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi stated that "Tilahun stood out as an artist of great renown with his lifetime contributions to Ethiopia's modern music, which he popularized across the world".[10] The Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, Abune Paulos said that "whoever is said dead is he who leave[s] nothing worthwhile behind. Tilahun left numerous, though secular, legacies behind to survive the mortal body for generations to come". As well as the United States Ambassador Donald Yamamoto stated that "Ethiopians owe a great deal to the late Tilahun Gessesse, who promoted Ethiopian music across the world".[11]

A candlelit vigil was held by friends and family in the garden of the National Theatre in Addis Ababa on the night of Wednesday April 22.[12] On Thursday April 23, 2009, a state funeral was held. About one million Ethiopians, including government officials, and entertainers,[13] gathered in Meskel Square, Addis Ababa and heard messages of condolence from the Prime Minister and President Girma Wolde-Giorgis. A funeral mass was held in Holy Trinity Cathedral Church.[14] Messages of condolence from fans all over the world were posted on a memorial website.[15]