Origins & Early Life

Rachid Taha (Arabic: رشيد طه, Rashīd Ṭāhā, [raʃiːd tˤaːhaː]; 18 September 1958 – 12 September 2018) was an Algerian singer and activist based in France described as "sonically adventurous". His music was influenced by many different styles including rock, electronic, punk and raï. Taha was born on 18 September 1958 in Sig, Mascara Province, Algeria, although a second source suggests he was born in the Algerian seacoast city of Oran. This town was the "birthplace of raï" music, and 1958 was a key year in the Algerian struggle for independence against French authority.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He began listening to Algerian music in the 1960s, including street-style music called chaabi. Additionally, music from the Maghreb region was part of his upbringing. He moved with his parents to France when he was ten years old, settling in an immigrant community around the French city of Lyon in 1968. His father was a textile factory worker, with long hours and low pay, such that his life was compared to that of a "modern slave", according to one account. Aged 17, Taha worked during the day at a central heating plant, described as a "menial job", and hated this work, but at night worked as a club DJ playing...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Alec Baldwin — Contemporary (Born in 1958) (1958): Versatile American actor known for dramatic depth and comedic timing.
• Andie MacDowell — Contemporary (Born in 1958) (1958): Acclaimed American actress and model known for romantic and dramatic roles.
• André Bazin — Contemporary (Died in 1958) (1958): Influential French film critic and theorist championing cinematic realism.
• Aaron Klug — Contemporary (Died in 2018) (2018): Pioneering biophysicist known for crystallographic electron microscopy and nucleic acid structure.
• Alan Bean — Contemporary (Died in 2018) (2018): American astronaut, naval officer, and lunar explorer who walked on the Moon.
• Alexander Zakharchenko — Contemporary (Died in 2018) (2018): Pro-Russian separatist leader and head of the Donetsk People's Republic.
• Adrien-Marie Legendre — Shared historical date (09-18 · Born) (1752): Pioneering French mathematician known for Legendre polynomials and least squares method.
• Agnes de Mille — Shared historical date (09-18 · Born) (1905): Pioneering American choreographer known for blending ballet with modern dance.
• Alexander Radishchev — Shared historical date (09-12 · Died) (1802): Pioneering Russian author and social critic, known for 'Journey from St. Petersburg to Moscow'
• Amílcar Cabral — Shared historical date (09-12 · Born) (1924): Bissau-Guinean anti-colonial leader, intellectual, and revolutionary poet.
• 1958 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1958
• September 18 (09-18) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on September 18
• 2018 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 2018
• September 12 (09-12) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on September 12