Vigen (entertainer)

Lore & Background

Vigen was born into an Iranian-Armenian family of eight children in Hamadan. His father died when he was eight, and he was raised by his mother and older brother Zaven after a family disagreement. During World War II, the family moved to Tabriz, where he bought his first guitar from a Soviet Armenian soldier and discovered his affinity for American, Italian, and Spanish music. In his mid-teens, he moved to Tehran and in 1951 began performing at Café Shemiran, an upscale restaurant and bar. His debonair looks and athletic physique, along with his guitar performances, made him Iran's first male pop star, especially popular among young women during the liberalization of the 1950s and 1960s.

Vigen moved to the United States in 1971, settling in California. After the 1979 Islamic Revolution, he was exiled because pop music was banned in Iran and he could not return. He celebrated the 50th anniversary of his career at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles in February 2001. He recorded more than 600 songs, including notable hits such as 'Baroon Barooneh,' 'Asb-e Ablagh,' and 'Lala'ee.' His cinematic debut came in 1955 in Samuel Khachikian's film 'Chaharrah-e Havades,' and he later appeared in several other films. He founded 'Vigen Film' but did not pursue the enterprise.

Reader's Guide

Vigen Derderian is a foundational figure in Iranian popular music, often credited with creating a new genre that blended Western European and Latin American influences with Persian lyrics. His innovative, upbeat style and use of the guitar set him apart from earlier Iranian performers and paved the way for the golden age of Persian pop in the early 1970s. During that period, many prominent Iranian singers—including Delkash, Pouran, and Elaheh—sought to be associated with him. His collaborations with lyricists and composers such as Parveez Vakili and Kareem Fakkour produced some of Iran's most memorable songs. Vigen's move to the United States in 1971 and subsequent exile after the 1979 Islamic Revolution marked a shift in his career, but he continued to perform and record, leaving a legacy of over 600 songs. His influence extended beyond music into film and television, with appearances on shows like The Bob Hope Specials and Mission Impossible. Vigen remains a symbol of a pre-revolutionary Iranian cultural era and a key figure in the diaspora's musical heritage.

Did You Know?

• He bought his first guitar from a Soviet Armenian soldier during World War II in Tabriz.
• He recorded more than 600 songs during his career.
• He made guest appearances on TV shows including The Bob Hope Specials and The Jack Benny Show.