Musical Career
While singing in clubs in Cairo, Abdel Halim was drafted as a last-minute substitute when the singer Karem Mahmoud was unable to sing a scheduled live radio performance in 1953. Abdel Halim's performance was heard by Mohammed Abdel Wahab, the supervisor of musical programming for Egyptian national radio. Abdel Halim took 'Hafez', Abdel Wahab's first name, as his stage-surname in recognition of his patronage.
In his early career's life, Abdel Halim was rejected by people for his new style of singing. However he persisted and was able to gain accolades later on. Then, he became a favorite singer among all generations. He also became Egypt's first romantic singer.
Abdel Halim's collaborated with composer Mohammed Abdel Wahab to produce many popular love songs such as Ahwak ("I adore you"), Nebtedi Minen el Hekaya ("If we were to tell the story"), and Fatet Ganbina( "She passed by us"). Hafez also worked with Egyptian poet Mohammed Hamza on songs including Zay el Hawa ("It feels like love"), Sawah ("Wanderer"), Hawel Teftekerni ("Try to remember me"), Aye Damiet Hozn ("Any tear of sadness"), and Mawood ("Destined").
During his career, he was very popular and always performed in sold-out arenas and stadiums. Despite his popularity, he rarely released a studio album in his life as he was purely a live singer. He also played many different instruments very well including the oboe, drums, piano, oud, clarinet and guitar. He was involved in all aspects of the creation of his songs. Halim brought many new instruments to the Arab World. He was known for his deep passion in his songs and his highly unique and rare voice. He always sang from true and honest feelings deep inside. Halim did performances in almost every country in the Arabic world and some performances outside the Arabic world including several concerts in Europe. Also, he sung uplifting patriotic songs for not just Egypt, but many other countries in the Arab World such as Lebanon, Syria, Tunisa, Morocco and much more. He used to encourage and help many young artists and actors to become successful.
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