Ilham al-Madfai
Ilham al-Madfai إلهام المدفعي | |
|---|---|
Al Madfai performing in 2005 | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | The Baghdad Beatle |
| Born | 1942 (age 82–83) |
| Origin | Baghdad, Kingdom of Iraq |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, composer |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 1961–present |
| Labels | EMI, Virgin |
Ilham al-Madfai (Arabic: إلهام المدفعي) (born 1942) is an Iraqi guitarist, singer and composer. al-Madfai's synthesis of Western guitar stylings with traditional Iraqi music has made him a popular performer in his native country and throughout the Middle East. Beginning in 1999, al-Madfai released a string of albums on EMI's label, including his platinum eponymous debut, Ilham al-Madfai (1999), Live at the Hard Rock Cafe (2001), Baghdad (2003) and The Voice of Iraq: The Best of Ilham al-Madfai (2005). In 2009, Al-Madfai released Dishdasha. His Western-inspired compositions led to a nickname; "The Baghdad Beatle".