Iranian American sings for harmony and peace at Drexel in Philadelphia

Nov 6, 2015

America's first capital, built by peace-loving Quakers, will soon host a multicultural concert for Peace at Drexel University performed by Andy Madadian, a renowned Armenian American pop musician popular in America, Armenia, Central Asia, Afghanistan, Near East and Iran.

Andy and Bon Jovi performing a bilingual song

Born in Iran to an Armenian family (Armenians are Gregorian Christians, part of Eastern Orthodox Church), Andy Madadian - known by his stage name Andy - is a genuine multi-cultural phenomenon who resides in California now. He is perhaps Iran's best known musician and the only one who has performed with Whoopi Goldberg, Bon Jovi, Chris De Burgh (British-Irish), Latoya Jackson, Ragheb Alama (Lebanese) and many other notable, as well as emerging, world musicians. Andy's music has even been used in popular Bollywood movies.

In 2009, during the reformist movement in Iran and in solidarity with people's quest for democracy, human rights and peace, he performed a bilingual (Persian, English) version of "Stand by Me" with Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora and Friends. The viral video has been viewed 8 million times.

Dalai Lama speaks with Whoopi Goldberg and Andy Madadian at the One World Concert

In 2013, Andy sang John Lennon's "Imagine" along with Whoopi Goldberg and many other peace activists and artists in The One World Concert at Syracuse University before Dalai Lama, celebrating peace, music and common ground.

Although the conservative Ayatollahs have officially banned his happy dance-evoking style of pop music in Iran, many Iranians know most of his songs by heart and play them, secretly, at homes, cars, weddings and parties. Even Iran's state-run TV recently played part of his music while chastising the Iranian athletes who, while traveling in Canada and the United States, posed in pictures with Andy.

Andy and Iran's most popular Volleyballer and one of the world's best, Saeed Marouf

Some of these athletes were summoned to Iran's Sports Ethics Committee upon return to Iran but not penalized. Andy's music themes are often about love, peace and harmony and not political.

From left: Shani (Andy's wife), Andy, his dog Luna, and Latoya Jackson

In 1992, Andy's then girlfriend (American musician Shani Rigsbee, his current wife, pictured with Andy and Latoya Jackson) was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She had an early and successful hysterectomy. The couple has performed for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and is active in other anti-cancer charities.

A dog owner, Andy is also an avid animal rights activist and has been promoting animal rights and protection to his Iranian fans.

Andy's November 20 Concert in Philadelphia

Andy's concert in Philadelphia will be held November 20 at Drexel's main auditorium and is expected to brings fans from many ethnicities to the City of Brotherly Love.

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