Google celebrated with a doodle what would have been the 78th birthday of the renowned Saudi Arabian singer Talal Maddah.

Maddah was born in 1940 and died in 2000 at the age of 60. 

Nicknamed the "Golden Throat" and "The Earth’s Voice," Maddah was a oud player and singer whose powerful voice was broadcast on radios across the Arab world during the 1970s, with songs from his home region Al-Hijaz (the western region of Saudi Arabia).

“Maddah sang Hijazi songs with intricate melodies dating back thousands of years to the days when musicians from Mecca would sing for the crowds in the marketplace,” Google wrote.

He went on to become a phenomenon throughout the Arab world.

His 1976 song “Maqadir” became the first Hijzai song to gain wide popularity throughout the region.

“Maddah’s special talent — as well as his persistence and determination — allowed his voice to reach a new audience, bringing people together through the universal language of music,” Google added.

Maddah released numerous albums in Saudi Arabia. To this day his recordings continue to reach new audiences.
 

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