Kourosh Yaghmaei is known as "the Godfather of Iranian psychedelic rock", as well as "the king of rock". He began his career in the 60s, playing covers of popular western pop music like the Beatles, the Kinks, and the Ventures.
Gole Yakh (Ice Flower) was his first solo single, and it sold five million copies in Iran alone. It brought him fame and was translated and adapted for other languages. The song tells a story of solitude, where "the ice flower has sprouted in my heart" (گل یخ توی دلم جوونه کرده) while enduring cold, lonely nights. It revolves around themes of heartbreak, loneliness, and the sorrowful remembrance of a past relationship.
Kourosh was heavily censored following the 1979 Iranian Revolution. His work was banned from the country's airways, markets and homes, and his name from the press. He decided to stay in Iran rather than migrate to another country. During this time he worked for children and published books and cassettes.
In 2016, he was quoted in Vice magazine: I believed that if I had changed my career it would be an unrespectful behaviour to my music and myself and also it would mean betrayal to my cultural roots. Now that I look back, I am glad I did not bribe anyone or bow to pressures, but lived all these 37 years with honour. I believe even in an unequal battle, resistance is preferred to giving up.
Based on this photo, I'm surprised he's not known as the Iranian Paul McCartney.
