Celebrity Interview: Lebanese pop star Ramy Ayash comes to town

Melting the microphone at Cavalli Club in Dubai this week was Lebanese singer-songwriter Ramy Ayash who took part in the venue's Arabic season 'Layalli Cavalli'. Having become a household name in 1996 as a contestant on the hugely popular talent contest 'Studio El Fan', Ayash released his debut single Bghanneela Webde'ellah twelve months later. He has since toured the world and enjoyed chart topping success with albums including Wel'ah, Diwan Al Hobb, Albi Mal and Ya msahar eyni. We caught up with the singing sensation as he was readying to take the stage.

What material are you working on at the moment Ramy?

I have a new album which I'm working on and it's supposed to be ready in the coming two months. It's a mix of classical, pop and traditional songs. I always like to mix it up with my albums and don't stick to just one style.

Having toured extensively, playing over 50 concerts throughout Europe and the Middle East since you started your career, where have you received the warmest welcome?

I can't answer this question because it's always something beautiful and unique wherever I go. It's impossible to calculate. I see it as a beautiful thing all the time and always get a warm welcome in every country.

Do international audiences, in Europe and the UK for example, know the lyrics to your songs and sing along with you live?

They learned the Arabic! But you know what, music doesn't have a specific language. Sometimes they love the music but don't necessarily understand the lyrics and sometimes they really love the lyrics. So music combines the tastes of all people around the world.

Have you ever forgotten the lyrics to a song while performing live?

Yes I have! But thank God I have great back-up vocalist singers to support me!

What song do you sing in the shower?

I don't really sing songs in the shower I prefer to do vocal excises - songs that stretch and train the muscles in my voice. I don't like to just hum along to a tune but to train my voice to its maximum power.

What's your favourite karaoke tune?

One of Michael Jackson's songs - but not his dancing ones. I prefer the 'soft songs' in general, like You Are Not Alone.

What's top of your tourist to-do list while you are in the UAE?

I was hoping to do a desert safari but I think we won't have time.

Tell me something that people don't know about Ramy Ayash?

A secret? Well, I would have to tell you in private because my life is known by everyone!

For example, I'm a hunter - I love forests and love to be in the woods - but everyone knows this about me I guess.

Ok, if you could only save one thing from your house if it were on fire, what would it be?

You know what, something bad happened to me during my life. My parents, during the war, couldn't save any pictures of me as a baby or a child. So until this day, I still don't know how I looked. So this would be the first thing I would save for my kids. I would save the youngest pictures of childhood.

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Ramy Ayesh performed at Cavalli Club, Restaurant & Lounge, Sheikh Zayed Road. For information about future artists appearing at Layalli Cavalli call 04 332 9260 or email