Cairo / Anadolu

Renowned Egyptian musician Hany Shnouda died Monday at the age of 83, after a career spanning about five decades, during which he discovered singing stars, including Amr Diab and Mohamed Mounir.

The official page of Egyptian musician Hany Shnouda announced his death on Instagram on Monday.

Egyptian media reported that his death came days after his health deteriorated.

Shnouda was born in the city of Tanta in northern Egypt in 1943, and graduated from the College of Music Education in 1966. He was the first to establish the first musical band in Egypt, the 'Egyptians' band, in 1977.

Shnouda also discovered and introduced a number of singing stars, most notably Mohamed Mounir and Amr Diab, and composed for several vocal stars, including Najat and Ahmed Adawiya.

He left a cinematic legacy of unforgettable soundtracks for a large number of films, dramas, and plays, totaling about 170, including the film 'Shams al-Zanaty' starring Egyptian actor Adel Imam.

Shnouda received the Egyptian State Appreciation Award in the field of arts in 2023, and the Saudi Entertainment Authority organized a tribute ceremony for him in Riyadh that same year, attended by more than 150 musicians and a large number of stars, including Mohamed Mounir, Amr Diab, and Angham.

Egypt's National Media Authority mourned musician Hany Shnouda on Monday, saying he 'passed away today after a rich artistic career during which he enriched Arabic music with his wonderful creations.'

It added: 'The great late artist is one of the most prominent pioneers of modern music, and he was a noble artist who knew his role and responsibility in supporting and nurturing young talents and new musicians.'

Egyptian poet Gamal Bakhit also mourned the late musician on his Facebook page, saying: 'Another icon of beauty, thought, art, and humanity departs... May God have mercy on Hany Shnouda.'