Betty and Saeed Dabiri Accuse Several Singers

This year's Yalda night, two veteran artists of Iranian pop music were guests on Radio Farda for the first time simultaneously. Saeed Dabiri, a renowned lyricist and composer, who has penned enduring songs like 'Parandeh' (Googoosh), 'Farangis' and 'Jazireh' (Siavash Ghomayshi), 'Gol Aftabgardoon' and 'Pichak' (Nushafarin), along with his former wife Betty, a singer who rose to fame in her youth with songs like 'Daram Ashegh Misham, Ashegh', 'Khoshbakhti', 'Venus', 'Bi Kesi', and 'Gharibaneh', engaged in a conversation from Tehran and Toronto. During the discussion, the old lyricist and singer complained about their colleagues who, according to them, have performed their works without permission. Saeed Dabiri mentioned the re-performance of songs such as 'Chara Ashegh Shodam' (Mahmood) by Andy, 'Del-e Man Geryeh Nakon' (Giti) by Bijan Mortazavi, and 'Daram Ashegh Misham, Ashegh' (Betty) by Susan Roshan. According to Mr. Dabiri, Susan Roshan not only performed this song poorly but also sang it out of tune. He also criticized young lyricists, stating that they are only seeking fame by offering their works to prominent singers outside of Iran, whereas his generation gained fame for singers who had not yet established their names. Betty also expressed her grievances against Shahram Shabpareh, who performed the rough draft of the song 'Khoshbakhti', referred to as 'Mahr' among lyricists, under the title 'Payiz' in his album 'Dahati', without contacting her, even though she was residing in Tehran at that time. Betty mentioned that Leila Forouhar once suggested she leave Iran, stating that all her songs had been sung by others and there was nothing left for her. Betty also bitterly recalled her experience in Los Angeles and the artistic atmosphere of the city. Radio Farda considers it its duty to publish responses from the artists and singers mentioned in this program if they wish to do so.