Alemayehu Eshete, legendary Ethiopian singer, Dies at 80

ADDIS ABABA – Alemayehu Eshete, a legendary Ethiopian singer, died on September 2 in Addis Ababa. He was 80.

The artist who was admitted to hospital due to a heart attack, passed away late last night, reports the national broadcaster.

Five years ago, he undertook surgery in Italy to fix blocked arteries, forcing the artist to limit his performances.

Born in 1941, the singer of ‘Temar Lije’, also known as “Ethiopian Elvis”, was one of the most popular singers to emerge from the golden age of Ethiopian music. Alemayehu was one of the first to record music to vinyl in Ethiopia.

“I am saddened to hear that Alemayehu Eshete, a role model for many singers, has passed away,” PM Abiy Ahmed. Abiy said the artist has been coordinating young and old singers to produce contemporary music about Ethiopia.

 

Featured Image: Alemayehu Eshete performing at Stockholms Kultur festival in
2015-08-13 [Photo Jonath Mathew]