ANDY MADADIAN
Living Proof of The American Dream
By Dina Morrone
Andy Madadian, an international superstar, rock star, singer, songwriter, actor, soccer player, animal lover, humanitarian, and soon to be the recipient of the highest honor one can receive in Hollywood, a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In fact, he is the first Iranian to ever receive the Star.
All that Andy has accomplished in his life he has done through hard work, determination, and a passion for life. He has a love for animals, the planet, and all of mankind. He gives of his time to so many causes and does so out of pure love and with smile on his face and in his heart. We are honored to have Andy in the December 2019 issue.
Andy, please tell us how you chose to become a singer?
My first intuition to become a singer was when I was a child growing up in Tehran, Iran. There were nine of us living in one room, but we had love, music, and beautiful parents and grandmom, We were happy, we were singing together like the Osmond family. My brothers and sisters, we are all into music. We played together, and so I guess you could say I first started singing in my living room.
You are a superstar in the Persian – Armenian -American community, and you also sing with international recording artists. Is there a difference between Persian performers and those from other countries?
I started my singing career with American and British Rock music (Deep Purple, Rod Stewart, Elton John, Chicago, Kansas, and so on). When I came to America, I started singing Persian and Armenian music. Although I am mostly known for Persian and Armenian music, my love is for rock music. These days I am playing a lot of international venues and going back to my music roots, which is pop and rock music.
I sang with many international artists from different countries. Collaboration has always been very important to me. I came from a Soccer/Football background where playing means you play with ten people. Everyone is playing together, giving, and taking. So for me, it is very natural to collaborate with another artist. I welcome our differences. For example, singing with Bon Jovi was an honor, but it was also a great experience to learn how another great artist operates. He was professional and very generous. He is also a great humanitarian. Every time I collaborate with another artist, I learn something new. When Bon Jovi sang in Farsi for 80 million Iranians, they were so excited. They were praising him because an American Rock icon was singing in their language. They loved it!
For me, when I sing with Arab artists, like Raghib Alameh and Cheb Khaled, we learn from each other, and we learn about each other’s culture. But most of all, we are bringing a message of hope and peace with music because music has no borders; it comes from the heart of an artist. It is like being an Ambassador of Peace.
How did your collaboration with John Bon Jovi come about to sing the Lieber and Stoller song, “Stand By Me?”
I have known Don Was for many years, and I have been a huge fan of his work. Throughout the years, we kept in touch until one day he called me and said it was the perfect time for collaborating with American Artists. There was an election going on in Iran. People were not happy with the outcome, so they were raising their voices by demonstrating in the streets of Iran. We wanted to show our support and solidarity with the people of Iran. We were so lucky that Bon Jovi happened to be in town, so we all went to the studio, and there was Richie Sambora, along with John Shanks and many other musicians who wanted to be a part of it. It was a very moving moment, the great atmosphere created by just this spur of the moment idea. So when you listen to “Stand By Me,” with Persian lyrics by Paksima you can feel these artists are genuinely excited about the project that we were creating together. From the bottom of my heart, I appreciate all the artists who were a part of it, especially Don Was and John Shanks, who produced the track.
Tell us about your wife, Shani Rigsbee. You two have amazing chemistry on stage. How do you feel when you are on the stage singing with her?
Shani is a wonderful human being. She is a great artist, she sings, she writes, and she produces. Shani is an international American Artist, who tours the world and has a song in The Oscar-winning movie “Crash.” Her new single is in the top ten of Apple Music in different countries in Europe. She loves animals and is an animal advocate. Her energy is all good and positive, and people love her. When we are on stage together, I feel our energy matches, and we both connect with people in the same way. So, I love to perform with her. The chemistry is real.
You have performed with several Arabic singers, how did that come about?
In 1998 and 2000, Mile Copeland, who used to be the manager for the band Police, and later went on to manage Sting, had this great idea of bringing artists from different countries to collaborate. We all got together in the South of France in his Castle. We wrote a bunch of songs, and this is how I got to know many artists from the Middle East, Algeria, Lebanon, and Egypt.
Whom would you like to sing with next?
Latoya Jackson. A few years back, I sang with Latoya Jackson. It’s a song called “Tehran.” She sings in Farsi. She is brilliant. We had this magical chemistry on stage when we performed at the Palladium in Los Angeles. The song was a big hit in the Iranian community. I am looking forward to doing another song with her, perhaps this time in English. We have since become great friends, and I truly appreciate our friendship.
In 2020, you are receiving a Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame. Please tell us about it.
I thank the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce for this honor. I have always loved Hollywood, and I will cherish it forever. I have recorded 14 albums in Hollywood. Some of my best memories have been in Hollywood. I grew up watching Hollywood movies. I got to know America through Hollywood movies, and now I am a part of it. It’s a big honor. I think it’s a great opportunity for the world to know that Hollywood has opened its arms to minorities and given them a chance to be part of this beautiful city. Americans can show the world that they welcome minorities and immigrants because, in America, we are all the same, we are all one, even though we are from different backgrounds, religious beliefs, and different colors. We all believe in the same God, and We can be an example for the rest of the world to follow.
You received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. How does it feel to receive this prestigious award?
Two years ago, I received an Ellis Island Medal of Honor, and I am so proud of that achievement. I am proud to be among some of the most successful American Immigrants, and I am most proud of this achievement because the recipients give back to their community, to their own heritage to America and to humanity. I thank the Ellis Island Medal of Honor committee for giving me this opportunity.
You have so many hits in the Iranian market; do you write them or collaborate with other writers?
I write, arrange and produce the music, but I work with a great lyricist who practically writes all my Persian words, her name is Paksima, and together we have written countless hits. Our partnership is like Elton John and Bernie Toppin.
Tell us about another one of your passions, professional soccer.
When I came to America, I attended Cal. State Los Angeles and was in the University soccer team. We were the best soccer team in America at the time, if I may say. I played professionally for a while, but then I had to choose between music and soccer. Obviously, I chose music. I still play soccer twice a week, and when I travel, my soccer shoes are always packed and ready to go.
You are also a great humanitarian. Your organization is called “Voices Out.” How did it start? What are your goals with this organization?
My wife Shani, and I have a rescue organization called “Voices Out.” We try to help as many dogs as we can. Thanks to Shani’s hard work, we have also rescued horses from Canada, as well as dogs from Armenia and Iran.
How can people help and get involved with “Voices Out?”
The best way people can help is to go to our website Voicesout.org. We are a non-profit organization 501-C, and we are all volunteers, so 100 percent of the funds raised are used to save animals, especially dogs.
What are the four things that you cannot live without?
Music, family, dogs, and football/soccer.
Do you ever get nervous up on stage?
Most definitely. I love the stage, and I suppose that’s where I feel most comfortable. Before I get up on stage, I am anxious and excited. However, once I am on stage, I feel people’s energy and love, and that makes everything perfect. I love to sing for people, and I love to get them up to dance. I have the best fans in the world, and I am lucky to have them.
What’s next for you? Do you have any plans you’d like to share?
My next project is a rock song called “The Good Fight,” coming out in 2020. It is the theme song of a Hollywood movie called “American Fighter,” Shani wrote the words and the music.
Tell us about your humanitarian song, “We Hear Your Voice.”
It’s a collaboration with 11 artists from 11 different countries. Shani wrote the words and music. It’s about poor children of the world who don’t have a voice, and we are their voice. It’s crying out for humanity to be good to each other. You can find the song on YouTube, iTunes, and Spotify. All the proceeds of the sales will benefit the children in need.
Special Thank you to
Andy Madadian & Shani Rigsbee
Dina Morrone
Narbeh Khodaverdi Photography
www.andymusic.com
www.voicesout.org
www.shanimusic.com
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