Viguen

Early life

Vigen was born into an Iranian-Armenian family of eight children in the western Iranian city of Hamedan. His father died due to complications to pneumonia when Vigen was only eight years old. He was raised by his older brother, Zaven and his mother after moving away from the family property because of a disagreement with her father. Karo Derderian, Vigen's older brother was a well known Iranian poet and wrote the lyrics for Vigen's signature song, "Lala'ee" (Lullaby). During World War II, the family moved to the northern city of Tabriz where local Azerbaijani nationalists declared the area a separatist republic, with the help of the occupying Soviet forces. This is where Vigen bought his first guitar from a Russian soldier and discovered his affinity for American, Italian and Spanish music and adopted many of those melodies for his songs with Persian lyrics that became some of Iran's most popular music to date.

Artistic rising

In his mid teens, Vigen moved to Tehran and in 1951 he was hired to perform at the Café Shemiran, an upscale restaurant & bar on the northern outskirts of the capital city. One fateful day while picnicking by the sea with his family and friend-songwriter Nasser Rastegarenejad, he was discovered by a national radio network producer, Mr. Vahkili and his very first song, "Mahtab" (Moonlight), was broadcast on Tehran radio - and became an instant hit.

Equated to Elvis Presley by some fans in Iran, Vigen's debonair looks and his tall and athletic physique added to his appeal as Iran's first male pop star - particularly among young Iranian women at a time when ideas of emancipation and liberalism were taking hold in the 1950s and 60s. He was also one of the first Iranian entertainers to perform with a guitar.

Later works

Vigen moved to the United States in 1971 and settled in California. He would return to Iran yearly to do concerts and perform in Vegas-styled nightclubs. After the Islamic Revolution of 1979, he was exiled to the United States because pop music was no longer allowed in Iran. He celebrated the 50th anniversary of his career at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles in February 2001.

Some of his most notable songs are "Baroon Barooneh" (It's Raining), "Asbeh Ablagh" (Thoroughbred Horse), "Mahtab" (Moonlight), Lala'ee (Lullaby), "Gole Sorkh" (Red Rose), "Ragheeb" (Rival), "Awaz E Khan" (The Singer) and "Deleh Divaneh" (Crazy Heart). More than 600 songs were recorded during his long career.

Movies

Vigen's cinematic debut came in 1955 when he was discovered by the prominent Armenian-Iranian director Samuel Khachikian for a role in his film "Chaharrahe Havades" (Crossroads of Incidents). In later years, he played roles in many other motion pictures by Khachikian and other producers, among them "Zalembala" (1956, Siamak Yasami), "Tappeheh Eshgh" (1959, Khachikian), "Arshin Malalan" and "Cheshmeh Oshagh" (1960, Samad Sabahi),"Atash Khakestar" (1961, Khosro Parizi), "Arooseh Darya" (1965, Arman). He later on founded "Vigen film" to produce his own movies but did not pursue the enterprise.

Personal life

His first wife was named Olga and they had three daughters together, including actress Aylin Vigen (also known as Eileen Vigen or Ailen Vigen), Aylin's fraternal twin sister, singer Jaklin Munns (also known as Jaklin Vigen, Jacqueline Vigen), Katrin Vigen. His second wife was named Nadia and they had one daughter named, Evelyn Vigen, and one son named Edwin Derderian. His third wife was Karen Holston Derderian (1951–2015) and he had a step-daughter, Robin Navonne Brakefield.

Death

Vigen died at home on October 26, 2003 from cancer and was buried at Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Cemetery in Westlake Village, California. At the time of his death he had recorded more than six hundred songs, starred in six motion pictures and made guest appearances on various popular TV shows including The Bob Hope Show, The Jack Benny Show and Mission Impossible.