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Lydia Canaan
ليديا كنعان
Canaan in 2020
Canaan in 2020
Background information
BornBrummana, Lebanon
Genres
Occupations
InstrumentsVocals (mezzo-soprano)
Years active1984–present
Labels
Websitelydiacanaan.com

Lydia Canaan (Arabic: ليديا كنعان) is a Lebanese singer-songwriter and humanitarian activist widely regarded as the first rock star of the Middle East.[1][2][3] She is cataloged in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum's Library and Archives.[1]

Credited as the first internationally successful Lebanese recording artist,[4][5][6][7][8] Canaan rose to fame performing rock music in English amid enemy military attacks during the Lebanese Civil War,[9] holding concerts in vicinities of Lebanon that were simultaneously being bombed.[9] Hala Habib of Society wrote, "in a small country that was ripped by war, there was this young girl making a difference".[10]

Canaan was the first Middle Eastern artist to sing solely in the English language,[4] and the first to have music videos played on MTV Global, MTV Southeast Asia, MTV Russia, and MTV Middle East.[11][12][13] Her musical debut was described as having defied tradition,[14] challenged convention,[11] and transcended millennia-old gender barriers.[15] According to Arabian Woman, "as a girl who grew up in the midst of a bloody civil war, Canaan was breaking down seemingly insurmountable barriers ... She rocked the establishment".[15]

Life and career

Early life and education

Canaan, age 8, Brummana, Mount Lebanon, Lebanon

Born and raised in Brummana, Lebanon during the Lebanese Civil War to a prominent Greek Orthodox Christian family, Canaan studied at Brummana High School (BHS)[9] and later at Lebanese American University (LAU).[9]

From a young age, singing, lyrical composition, and dancing served as an outlet and catharsis for Canaan.[2] At the age of eight, she was awarded the first place prize (in a contest in which all grades competed against each other) by her French elementary school, College des Saints-Coeurs, Bikfaya, for a poem she composed about a child who wept for being scolded over trivial matters such as staining her fingers with ink when she writes.[16][17]

Raised in a conservative family,[2][16] Canaan's parents discouraged her from singing rock music, and forbid her to have a musical education or any formal training.[16] In spite of these obstacles, Canaan cultivated the ability to compose and store melodies and English lyrics by memory alone.[14][17]

As reported by the newspaper Campus, "For Lydia Canaan's first gig, she had to throw her trademark short rockish black leather skirt and studs out of her bedroom window in Brummana, put on a long skirt, lie to her conservative father about where she was going, and, after changing into her leather gear, singing her teenage heart out as Angel with the band Equation".[16]

Early career

File:Canaan performing as Angel at Mont La Salle Theater, Beirut, Lebanon, 1984.jpg
Canaan performing as Angel at Mont La Salle Theater, Beirut, Lebanon, 1984

In 1984, the teenaged Canaan—under the stage name Angel—joined the heavy metal band Equation,[9] who until then had been intent on finding a male lead singer. Canaan's talent, personality, and stage presence quickly gained her national popularity among Lebanese youth.[5][11] The same year, she donned what would become her trademark, trend-setting look: revealing, studded leather outfits with dramatic capes and hip-length blonde-streaked hair.[11][16] Off stage, Canaan's Alma Mater, Brummana High School (BHS), voted her "Best Dressed". On stage, her provocative costumes contributed to the perception of her as a sex symbol.[11][16] The Daily Star wrote: "On stage, with her daring looks and style, Canaan became a role model".[11] At the height of their success the band drew a crowd of over 15,000.[9] Canaan's first original composition, "Why All The Hurt", a tribute to a deceased friend that she wrote as a teenager, was a No. 1 hit on the radio charts in Lebanon.[11]

Following Canaan's first concert with Equation, a The Gulf Today writer noted, "the first show produced a phenomenal reaction . . . It is incredible that amidst the state of civil war that existed in Lebanon at that time, when most people had no idea if they would see another day, she managed to keep her ambitions alive".[9] Society magazine stated, "tickets were sold out but more teenagers stormed in to see the young Angel perform... To accommodate the crowd, the concert organizers had to stamp on each fan's hand as they ran out of tickets. It was... her first success".[10]

Canaan was hailed by the media as the first "rock star" of the Middle East.[2][3][16][18][19] Since her first public appearance, Canaan held over 25 sell-out concerts in the country from 1984 to 1988, and despite the risks and dangers of warring militias and armies, recorded her songs for radio and topped the charts in Lebanon.[11] Her last concert with Equation was held in 1986.[5]

Solo career

Canaan performing at MTV Global concert, Beirut, 2000

In 1987, Canaan embarked on a solo career,[5] performing her original compositions, such as "To Oblivion and Back", "Does it Need Some Action", "A Hard Situation", "Hey Richie", and "The Christmas Wish", all which were radio hits.[9]

As Canaan's music evolved, her fame grew.[5][10] With Lebanon under Syrian occupation, Canaan's concerts were held in East Beirut, Mount Lebanon, and the north of Lebanon. In Tripoli, the second largest city in Lebanon, Canaan performed in front of a sold-out crowd under tight security despite having received death threats.[2][11]

In 1987, Canaan performed to a crowd of 20,000 at the Beirut Rock Festival.[20] In 1988, she held sell-out concerts for three consecutive nights at Casino du Liban,[8][21] the last performer to grace its stage until the venue resumed activity following the end of the Liberation War in 1990.[8]

International success

Canaan, credited as the first internationally successful Lebanese recording artist, in 1991

Canaan's international breakthrough was widely reported on by the Arab media,[7][8][22][23][24][25] Al-Hayat writing that she had " ... invaded the European market with her ballads".[7] In 1989, she left Lebanon and settled in Zurich, Switzerland,[16] where she became a naturalized Swiss citizen.[15] There she took vocal lessons with soprano Anita Monti.[16] In 1990, she was interviewed by Radio Z in Zurich, where her songs received airplay.[15]

In 1991, Canaan began working with record producer David Richards[10] (producer of Queen and David Bowie).[26] The same year, she gave a live interview for NBC Europe.[7] Also in 1991, Canaan signed a two-year contract with London-based production company Spinny Music (led by Queen manager Jim Beach) to write and record her original songs "Shine",[27] "Never Set You Free",[28] "So Much to Give",[29] "Desire",[30] "Love",[31] and a cover of Shirley Bassey's English version of "Never Never Never",[32] produced by David Richards at Mountain Studios in Montreux, Switzerland.[10] The same year, she recorded the duet "Love and Lust" with Queen drummer Roger Taylor.[33][34]

In 1993, Canaan recorded songs "Libnan",[35] "Fallin'",[36] and her cover of John Lennon's "Gimme Some Truth".[37]

Transition to pop

Canaan performing at Casino du Liban, Beirut, Lebanon, 2007

"Beautiful Life"

In February 1995, Canaan, who had up until that time performed rock under the stage name Angel, dropped the moniker, and under her birth name Lydia Canaan presented the pop ballad "Beautiful Life"[38] (produced by Barry Blue and The Rapino Brothers)[39] at the Midem in Cannes, France.[40] That spring, Canaan's international release of the single "Beautiful Life"[38] by London-based Pulse-8 Records[38] gained her international critical acclaim,[5][41][42] the buzz culminating in a promo tour in England and radio airplay in the UK, Europe, South Africa, and the Middle East.[42]

Canaan performed "Beautiful Life" at the launch of MTV Global, held in Beirut on May 12, 1995.[43][44][45] In promoting the event, MTV Global billed her as "the diva from the Middle East".[44] During the press conference, President of MTV Global, Peter Einstein, stated, "MTV is proud and privileged to play Lydia's videos on Music-Non-Stop Show ... All at MTV have fallen in love with Lydia, her songs, and her performance."[45]

"Guardian Angel"

In early 2000, "Guardian Angel", Canaan's duet with Robin Scott,[46] appeared on M's album Famous Last Words, released by BMG Music.[47]

"The Sound of Love"

Canaan's second single, "The Sound of Love",[48] produced by Barry Blue and The Rapino Brothers[39] (recorded at Maison Rouge Studios in London)[48] was released in 1997. In 1998, Canaan's songs (recorded by Jay Ward's New York City based Dogbrain Music) were featured on billboardtalentnet.com and appeared on its RadioBTN top 10 chart.[49]

Canaan's debut studio album, The Sound of Love,[50] was released in the summer of 2000. Recorded in London and New York City, it included the track "Right On the Verge" featuring Tommy Mandel.[50][51] The album was distributed by SIDI/XEMA in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon.[50] In support of the album release, Canaan performed at various venues in Beirut, including Jumeira Beach Hotel in Dubai, Savage Garden Club,[52] and Rifaa Golf Club in Manama, Bahrain.[53]

"Libnan"

In 2004, "Libnan" was chosen as the soundtrack of the advertisement "Rediscover Lebanon", produced and broadcast by CNN and commissioned by the Lebanese Ministry of Economy & Trade to promote Lebanon as a tourist destination.[54][55]

"Never Set You Free"

In 2014, Canaan was named a semi-finalist by the UK Songwriting Contest for her song "Never Set You Free".[56]

Activism and humanitarian work

I was born in a world of borders, barricades, and demarcation lines. And since I could not change the world around me, I created a world inside me, and I held on to it. It was a world with no borders, barricades, or demarcation lines. It was a world of hope.[57]

— Lydia Canaan

Growing up in a war-torn Lebanon, Canaan witnessed the effects of numerous humanitarian crises firsthand, compelling her to utilize her talents as singer-songwriter and peacemaker for humanitarian efforts across the Near and Middle East.[58][59][60]

Activism

File:Lydia Canaan UN HRC.jpg
Canaan delivering a speech at the 26th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council at the Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland, 2014
  • In 2014, Canaan accepted an invitation to act as a United Nations delegate[61][62][63] for Khiam Rehabilitation Center for Victims of Torture (KRC) to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
  • On March 17, 2014, Canaan delivered the speech "Islamophobia and Art" (about the need to combat anti-Muslim prejudice artistically) at the 25th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, gaining a round of applause and kudos.[63]
  • On June 17, 2014, Canaan delivered the speech "Hostage to Injustice", a call for an end to unjust political imprisonment, at the 26th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, receiving a standing ovation and drawing media attention.[64]
  • On March 13, 2015, Canaan delivered the speech "Humane Evolution", in which she spoke out against legally sanctioned torture, at the 28th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, winning her extended applause.[65]
  • On November 3, 2015, Canaan delivered a speech condemning governments worldwide for failure to implement UN human rights recommendations at the UNHRC's 23rd Session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), attended by over twenty-five delegations and representatives from Great Britain, Germany, Norway, France, the European Union, Denmark, Australia, Ireland, and Lebanon, and others at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. She also sang an a cappella verse of her activist anthem "Humanity Wake Up and Fight".[66][67][68]
  • On March 18, 2016, Canaan delivered the speech "Fighting Terrorism Without Violating Human Rights",[62] her impassioned defense of civilian victims of counter-terrorism attacks, at the 31st Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. It was streamed live on YouTube by the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).[69]
  • On March 14, 2017, Canaan delivered a speech titled "Global Effects of the Persecution of Religious Minorities in the Middle East",[70] which primarily focused on the persecution of Christians (who, according to her speech, are the most persecuted religious minority in the Middle East and the world), at the 34th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland; her emotional delivery ended with Canaan in tears.[71]
  • In 2019, Canaan was appointed as a member of the International Advisory Council of the Academic University for Non-Violence & Human Rights (AUNOHR) along with Nobel Peace Prize Laureates Desmond Tutu, Mairead Maguire, and Adolfo Esquivel.[72]

Humanitarian work

I have faith. I believe in this country. I believe in the spirit of these people. I am the daughter of this land. I’m a Canaanite.[73]

— Lydia Canaan
Canaan speaking to a Palestinian man at the Social Support Society Active Ageing House refugee camp, Burj Al-Barajneh, Beirut, Lebanon, 2011
  • In 2001, Canaan performed at the United Nations International Volunteers Day in Beirut[74] and was awarded for her humanitarianism by Yves de San, Head of UNDP Lebanon.[74][25]
  • In 2014, Canaan participated in the Arab International Forum in Solidarity With Palestinian Prisoners, held in Beirut, Lebanon, with over three hundred fifty public figures and other international attendees, headed by former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark.[3]
  • In 2015, Canaan took part in the International Forum for Justice in Palestine, held in Beirut, Lebanon, with over five hundred attendees from the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East, headed by former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark.[2]
  • In 2020, Canaan returned to the Palestinian refugee camp in Burj Al-Barajneh, Beirut, Lebanon and again met with and sang songs for Palestinian refugees to offer her support for a free Palestine.[75][58]

Canaan supports Street Art for Mankind,[76] Solitary Watch, John Legend's Free America campaign,[77] Human Rights Watch, War Child Holland-Lebanon, SAWA for DEV & AID, and the International Campaign to Prosecute War Crimes in Iraq chaired by former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark.[2]

Charity work

Canaan singing with a Palestinian woman at the Social Support Society Active Ageing House refugee camp, Burj Al-Barajneh, Beirut, Lebanon, 2011

Throughout her career, Canaan has made financial contributions to and performed for various charitable causes and organizations,[11] particularly those concerning the welfare of children, women, animals, and the elderly.[2][3][78][79] She has reportedly made substantial financial contributions to the Children's Care Unit of Salmaniyah Hospital,[53] Child Fund International (CFI), and St. Jude's Hospital, and has performed at charity and fundraiser events including American Women's Club,[79] Salmaniyah Hospital (Children's Care Unit),[53] Beirut Rotary Club, American Community School,[80] Association pour la Promotion Feminine,[81][82] Caritas Internationalis (Liban),[83] Centre Renee Wehbe Le Vieillard Malade, Beirut for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (BETA),[84] Lions Beirut Code Club,[85] Unite Lebanon Youth Project (ULYP),[11] Arab Resource Center for Popular Arts, Al-Jana (ARCPA),[11] Social Support Society Active Ageing House,[25] NASMA Foundation,[11] and Association Amour et Partage.[25]

Her song, "Beautiful Life", was selected by South African President Nelson Mandela as the theme song for a charity event in South Africa.[11][86][87][88]

Advocacy

Canaan at the United Nations MY World partners awards ceremony, UN Headquarters, New York City, 2014

In 2015, Canaan performed at a rally in solidarity with Cardinal Patriarch Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi's call to elect a president of the Republic of Lebanon at St. George Cathedral in Beirut.[3]

Support for animal welfare

Canaan, an outspoken animal welfare supporter[78][84][89] and animal rights activist,[78][84][89] supports the Asian Conservation Awareness Programme (ACAP/WildAid), the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Le Roselet Foundation, and Beirut for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (BETA).[78]

Public speaking

Canaan delivering a speech on Lebanon's Independence Day at Casino du Liban, Beirut, Lebanon, 2014
  • In 2001, Canaan was invited as Speaker of the Month by American Community School (ACS) in Beirut, Lebanon.[87]
  • Canaan delivered the speech "It's About Time, My Country" in support of the Lebanese Armed Forces on Independence Day 2014 at Casino du Liban in Beirut, Lebanon.[3]

Film and literature

Film

Canaan being interviewed for a documentary by the Global Sorority Foundation, 2014

Literature

File:Lydia Canaan illustration.jpg
Illustration of Canaan from Rebel Girls Rock: 25 Tales of Women in Music
  • American author Robert W. McGee mentioned Canaan's songs "So Much To Give" and "Never Set You Free" in his two novels Justifiable Homicide (2014)[92] and Annie and the Senator (2015);[93] Canaan and her songs "Shine", "Fallin'", and "Libnan" were referenced in all three volumes of McGee's The Iraqi Girl Trilogy (2015).[94][95] McGee's characters often risk their lives to listen to Lydia Canaan's music.[92][94][95]
  • In 2016, Canaan was invited by the HuffPost to be a contributer to their newspaper, where she writes on the matters of war crimes and human rights violations.[96]
  • In 2017, Canaan was featured in British journalist for Newsweek Orlando Crowcroft's book Rock in a Hard Place: Music and Mayhem in the Middle East, about the dangers she faced and obstacles she overcame as a rock music pioneer in Lebanon.[97]
  • In 2020, Canaan was featured in Pioneers from Lebanon, an Encyclopedia endorsed by the Lebanese Ministry of Culture and sponsored by the UNESCO Cultural Heritage and Treasure Museum of Silk.[72]
  • In 2023, Canaan was highlighted among music legends and iconic rock stars in the international best-selling book series, Rebel Girls Rock: 25 Tales of Women in Music, with a foreword by Joan Jett and activities curated by Gibson Brands.[72]
  • In 2023, Canaan appeared in the international Swiss book series 50 Amazing Swiss Immigrants among other modern and historical celebrities who immigrated to Switzerland. The book was endorsed by the Switzerland Foreign Ministry, the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), and the State Secretariat For Migration (SEM), and is published worldwide in English, German, and French. [98]

Honors and awards

Honors

Canaan with Lebanese President Emile Lahoud at the Presidential Palace, Baabda, Lebanon, 2002

Awards

United Nations Building(ESCWA), Beirut/Lebanon
Canaan receiving the International Year of Volunteers Award by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), 2001
Year Award By Ref.
1988 Scoop d'Or Award Scoop magazine [110]
1997 Lebanese International Success Award Lebanese Ministry of Tourism [4]
2001 International Year of Volunteers Award United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) [74]
2003 Association pour la Promotion Feminine Award Association pour la Promotion Feminine [81]
2005 Caritas Award Caritas [83]
2014 Lebanese Army Award Lebanese Armed Forces [3]
UK Songwriting Contest Semi-finalist Award UK Songwriting Contest [56]
2016 Silver Medal for Outstanding Achievement Global Music Awards [111]
2023 Global Goddess Artemis Award Euro American Women's Council (EAWC) [112]

Videography

Music videos

Video Year Details
Hey Richie[113]

1988

Broadcast by LBCI and NBC Europe.[7]
Beautiful Life[114]

1995

Filmed at Canalot Studios and Syon House, the house of the Duke of Northumberland, in London, England.[114]
The Sound of Love[115]

1997

Filmed at the country house West Wycombe Park, West Wycombe, England.[115]

Concerts

Video Year Details
Live in Concert at Casino du Liban[21] 1988 Lydia Canaan performing as Angel live in concert at Casino du Liban.[8]

Oration

Video Year Details
Hostage to Injustice[57]

2014

Footage of the speech Canaan delivered at the 26th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.[64] It has been widely circulated on the Internet.[57]
Fighting Terrorism Without Violating Human Rights[116]

2016

Footage of the speech Canaan delivered at the 31st Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.[62] It was streamed live on YouTube by the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).[116]
Global Effects of the Persecution of Religious Minorities in the Middle East[70]

2017

Footage of the speech Canaan delivered at the 34th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland capturing Canaan's notably emotional delivery.[71]

Discography

Studio albums

Album title Album details
The Sound of Love
  • Released: 2000
  • Label: SIDI/XEMA
  • Format: CD

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Beautiful Life"Barry Blue & Marco Sabiu4:17
2."Right On The Verge (Tommy Mandel Mix)"Noel Cohen & Daryl Hair4:37
3."The Sound of Love"Barry Blue & Marco Sabiu4:10
4."A Love That Shines"Noel Cohen & Keith Plex Barnhart4:42
5."The Hurt Won't Hurt (No More)"Barry Blue3:51
6."Every Goodbye Ain't Gone"Geena Breedlove, Noel Cohen, & Daryl Hair4:07
7."Without You"Sandy Wilbur & Keith Barnhart4:32
8."Somewhere in the Night"Barry Blue4:24
9."Right On the Verge (Original Mix)"Noel Cohen & Daryl Hair4:28
10."Fade Away"Noel Cohen & Keith Barnhart4:30
Total length:44:01

Singles

Year Single title Writer(s) Release
1985 "The Sound of Equation" Lydia Canaan Radio
1986 "Why All the Hurt?" Lydia Canaan Radio
"To Oblivion and Back" Lydia Canaan Radio
1987 "The Hope Song" Lydia Canaan Radio
"Does It Need Some Action?" Lydia Canaan Radio
"A Hard Situation" Lydia Canaan Radio
1988 "And You Call Me" Lydia Canaan Radio
"Hey Richie" Lydia Canaan Radio
1989 "The Christmas Wish" Lydia Canaan Radio
"Me and Little Andy" Dolly Parton Radio
1995 "Beautiful Life" Barry Blue Pulse-8 Records
1997 "The Sound of Love" Barry Blue Pulse-8 Records
2000 "Guardian Angel" Robin Scott BMG/Metro
2004 "Libnan" Lydia Canaan CNN
2014 "Shine" Lydia Canaan Internet
"Fallin'" (Remix) Lydia Canaan Internet
"Love" Lydia Canaan Internet
"So Much to Give" Lydia Canaan Internet
"Gimme Some Truth" John Lennon Internet
"Never Set You Free" Lydia Canaan Internet
2017 "Desire" Lydia Canaan Internet
"Never Never Never" Alberto Testa & Tony Renis Internet
"Fallin'" Lydia Canaan Internet
"Love is Blind" Lydia Canaan Internet
"Everybody's Running After a Dream" Lydia Canaan Internet
"Wish I Could Fly" Lydia Canaan Internet
2018 "Bless Me, Bless You" Lydia Canaan Internet

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "Library and Archives Subject File (Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum Records—Curatorial Affairs Division Records): Canaan, Lydia, 2015". Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Library and Archives. January 28, 2016. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h O'Connor, Tom. "Lydia Canaan One Step Closer to Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame" Archived April 29, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, The Daily Star, Beirut, April 27, 2016. Retrieved August 18, 2017.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Salhani, Justin. "Lydia Canaan: The Mideast’s First Rock Star", The Daily Star, Beirut, November 17, 2014. Retrieved August 18, 2017.
  4. ^ a b c Sinclair, David. "Global Music Pulse", Billboard, New York, December 27, 1997.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Sinclair, David. "Global Music Pulse", Billboard, New York, May 10, 1997.
  6. ^ D'Mello, Edward. "A Singing Sensation: Unprecedented Success For Lebanese Singer Lydia Canaan", Gulf News, Dubai, November 29, 2000.
  7. ^ a b c d e Hayek, George. "The Lebanese Singer Lydia Canaan Has Invaded the European Market With Her Ballads", Al-Hayat, No. 12,513, Beirut, June 3, 1997.
  8. ^ a b c d e Khalife, Mireille. "Lydia Canaan Tells Her Story...and Launches Her English Songs Internationally from Lebanon", Al-Hayat, No. 13,732, Beirut, October 16, 2000.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h Chandran, Sudha. "An Angel's Song", The Gulf Today, Sharjah, November 24, 2000.
  10. ^ a b c d e Habib, Hala. "Lydia Canaan: A Star is Born to The Sound of Love", Society, No. 3, Beirut, February 1997.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Jubayli, Jinan. "'Angel' Canaan Brings it All Back Home", The Daily Star, No. 10,735, Beirut, March 18, 2002.
  12. ^ Khonji, Tariq. "Lebanese Singer to Entertain Golf Fans", Gulf Daily News, No. 217, Bahrain, October 23, 2001.
  13. ^ "The MTV Spirit in the Air of Beirut", Magazine, Beirut, May 19, 1995.
  14. ^ a b Pulse-8 Records Press Release, January 1995
  15. ^ a b c d High, Claire. "With Her Debut Album, The Sound of Love, Recorded in English, Lebanese Singer Lydia Canaan is Tipped to Be the First Middle-Eastern Female Singer to Break into the International Market", Arabian Woman, No. 21, Saudi Arabia, September 2000.
  16. ^ a b c d e f g h i Livingstone, David. "A Beautiful Life; Or, How a Local Girl Ended Up With a Recording Contract in the UK and Who Has Ambitions in the U.S.", Campus, No. 8, Beirut, February 1997.
  17. ^ a b "Lydia Canaan, A Lebanese Spreading the Sweet Scent of Her Song in Europe", Asharq, No. 13,855, Beirut, July 7, 1995.
  18. ^ Ajouz, Wafik. "From Broumana to the Top Ten: Lydia Canaan, Lebanon's 'Angel' on the Road to Stardom", Cedar Wings, No. 28, p. 2, Beirut, July–August 1995.
  19. ^ Aschkar, Youmna. "New Hit For Lydia Canaan", Eco News, No. 77, p. 2, Beirut, January 20, 1997.
  20. ^ "Angel (Lydia Canaan): Beirut Rock Festival 1987–1988". 2U2C. January 26, 2017. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
  21. ^ a b Lydia Canaan Live in Concert at Casino du Liban (1988). YouTube. December 23, 2017. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  22. ^ Hayek, George. "Lydia Canaan: 'President Mandela is a Fan of My Music'", An-Nahar, No. 211, Beirut, February 20, 1997.
  23. ^ Al-Diri, Hanadi. "Meeting With President and CEO of MTV Networks and the Singer Lydia Canaan", An-Nahar, Beirut, May 19, 1995.
  24. ^ Hayek, George. "Lydia Canaan: 'I Will Launch My International Career From the United States'", An-Nahar, No. 391, Beirut, July 28, 2000.
  25. ^ a b c d Haddad, Viviane. "Lydia Canaan Shows Readiness to Hold Charity Concerts—The Only Lebanese Singer Who Performs in English and Has Toured the Major European Capitals", Asharq Al-Awsat, Vol. 24, No. 8,477, London, February 12, 2002.
  26. ^ Perrone, Pierre (March 20, 2014). "David Richards: Producer, engineer and musician at Montreux's Mountain Studios who worked with Bowie, Queen and Duran Duran". The Independent. Retrieved August 27, 2017.
  27. ^ “Shine” Official Audio. YouTube. September 11, 2016. Retrieved October 25, 2017.
  28. ^ “Never Set You Free” Official Audio. YouTube. September 11, 2016. Retrieved October 25, 2017.
  29. ^ “So Much to Give” Official Audio. YouTube. September 11, 2016. Retrieved October 25, 2017.
  30. ^ “Desire” Official Audio. YouTube. January 21, 2017. Retrieved October 25, 2017.
  31. ^ “Love” Official Audio. YouTube. September 11, 2016. Retrieved October 25, 2017.
  32. ^ “Never Never Never” Official Audio. YouTube. January 25, 2017. Retrieved October 25, 2017.
  33. ^ "Roger Taylor Collaborations". Ultimate Queen. May 8, 2016. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
  34. ^ "Roger Plus". Queen Vault. June 10, 2016. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
  35. ^ “Libnan” Official Audio. YouTube. September 11, 2016. Retrieved October 25, 2017.
  36. ^ “Fallin'” Official Audio. YouTube. September 11, 2016. Retrieved October 25, 2017.
  37. ^ “Gimme Some Truth” Official Audio. YouTube. September 11, 2016. Retrieved October 25, 2017.
  38. ^ a b c "Lydia Canaan – Beautiful Life". Discogs. January 25, 20I7. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
  39. ^ a b Lydia Canaan – Russ Kane interview (1995). YouTube. February 26, 2017. Retrieved February 26, 2017.
  40. ^ "Cannes Bye Bye Day", Midem Daily News, No. 5, Cannes, February 3, 1995.
  41. ^ Robinson, Nick. "Lydia Canaan: Beautiful Life", Music Week, London, May 13, 1995.
  42. ^ a b Sexton, Paul. "New Artist File", Music Monitor, London, April 21, 1995.
  43. ^ Homan, Tim. "MTV's Arabic Show Breaks Into Beirut", The Daily Star, https://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2000/Aug-01/31887-mtvs-arabic-show-breaks-into-beirut.ashx Archived September 24, 2020, at the Wayback Machine, Beirut, August 1, 2000.
  44. ^ a b Daniel, Judith. MTV Europe press release, Beirut, May 12, 1995.
  45. ^ a b “Blitz Press Release”, Beirut, May 12, 1995.
  46. ^ "M Tracklist: An alphabetical list of all 'M' & Robin Scott songs & versions.". Discog.Info. January 28, 2010. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
  47. ^ Lydia Canaan “Guardian Angel” track credit All Music. November 2, 2017. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
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