Tilahun Gessesse

Tilahun Gessesse (27 September 1941 – 19 April 2009) was an Ethiopian singer widely considered one of the country’s most beloved musical figures of the 1900s. Known for his tenor voice, he earned the nickname "The Voice" during Ethiopia’s "Golden Age" in the 1960s. Beyond his fame, he used his music to raise funds for famine relief in the 1970s and 1980s, winning deep national affection.

Death and funeral

He received an honorary doctorate from Addis Ababa University and a lifetime achievement award from the Ethiopian Fine Art and Mass Media Prize Trust. Tilahun died on 19 April 2009; the cause of death is not consistently supported, and his return from the United States prior to his death is also not consistently supported. His funeral location is disputed between Holy Trinity Cathedral and St. George's Cathedral in Addis Ababa, with both sites cited by different sources.

Early years

Born on 27 September 1940 in Waliso, Tilahun was the son of Gessesse Negusse and Gete Gurmu. He attended Ras Gobena Elementary School in Waliso, where his grandfather lived. His interest in music grew, though his grandfather wanted him to focus on academics. The school’s principal, Shedad, who was from Sudan, encouraged Tilahun’s musical ambitions and suggested he go to Sudan to pursue them.

Tilahun did not go, but he took the advice seriously. When artists from the Hager Fikir Theatre, including Woizero Negatwa Kelkay and Eyoel Yohanes, performed at his school, Tilahun spoke with Eyoel about his musical interests. Eyoel told him to go to Addis Ababa.

At age 13, Tilahun left school and set out for Addis Ababa on foot without his family’s permission. After walking fifteen kilometers, he was caught in Tulu Bolo and stayed with his aunt overnight. The next day, he was forced back to his grandfather in Waliso. But he stayed only one night before leaving again, this time hiding in the back of a loaded truck.

Achievements and career

In Addis Ababa, Tilahun first worked for the Hager Fikir Association, now known as Hager Fikir Theatre. After a few years, he joined the Imperial Bodyguard Band and became a leading star.

Following an attempted coup by the Imperial Bodyguard in December 1960, he came into conflict with the government and was imprisoned for a time. He then moved to the National Theater, where his success continued. His tenor voice was considered the best Ethiopian pop voice of the 1960s.