{
  "id": 11293950,
  "title": "Abadi Al Johar: Five Decades Along the Road of Saudi Music",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/abadi-al-johar-five-decades-along-the-road-of-saudi-music",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-01T22:12:21.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Billboard",
    "slug": "billboard",
    "url": "https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/abadi-al-johar-billboard-arabia-1236352561/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In the heart of Jeddah, during the autumn of 2026, the city buzzed with preparations for Saudi National Day. Amidst the festive green decorations, an individual emerged who had profoundly shaped the nation’s musical landscape. Dr. Abadi Al Johar, an artist whose journey spanned five decades, welcomed the Billboard Arabia team to his private space, a room that served as a time capsule of successive eras in Saudi music. Walls adorned with photographs and plaques, a portrait drawn by a fan in the 1960s, and an impressive collection of more than 40 oud instruments told the story of a man who not only witnessed the golden age of Saudi music but also played an active role in its evolution.\n\nAbadi’s story began in the 1960s, a time when he was an orphaned child with a relentless dedication to mastering the oud. Living in the same neighborhood as Lutfi Zaini, a poet and media figure, Abadi’s talent caught the attention of this influential figure. Recognizing the potential in the young, orphaned boy, Lutfi introduced him to the greatest artist of the time, Talal Maddah. Barely 14, Abadi played for Talal, an encounter that marked the beginning of a lifelong mentorship. Talal, impressed by the young Abadi’s talent, immediately signed him to a contract and composed two songs for him. The bond between the two grew over the years, with Abadi spending most of his time accompanying Talal at his home, witnessing the evolution of his mentor’s musical career.\n\nTheir relationship evolved naturally, giving Abadi enough confidence to make his long-held request—a request that would deeply touch both men. In 1976, Abadi gifted Talal a composition, \"Taweela Ya Droub Al Asheqeen\" (\"Long Are the Roads of Lovers\"). This was the first time Abadi saw his mentor perform one of his creations. The significance of this moment is evident in Abadi’s emotion as he recounts it. Yet, this relationship was not without its losses. In 2000, Talal passed away after a sudden heart attack, leaving Abadi with the regret of never being able to fulfill his lifelong dream of creating an oud that bore the likeness of his mentor, an oud that remained untouched for 26 years.\n\nDespite this personal loss, Abadi continued to carry forward the torch of Saudi music. His compositions resonated across the Arab world, performed by artists such as Assala, Rabeh Saqer, Samira Said, and Ahlam, among others. These works, imbued with the spirit of Saudi music, showcased Abadi’s influence extending far beyond the borders of his homeland. Through his music, Abadi not only preserved the essence of Saudi musical tradition but also enriched the Arab musical tapestry with his contributions.",
  "summary": "For Billboard Arabia’s September cover, Abadi Al Johar reflects on his journey at the heart of Saudi music.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}