Aram Asatryan: the king of rabiz, his best songs, and his life
Two decades after his death, Aram Asatryan is still the sound of Armenian parties from Yerevan to Glendale. Here is his story and the songs to start with.
By The Armenly team. Written November 11, 2026.
- About The Armenly team — The people who build and check the Armenly catalog of Armenian music.
Key findings
- Aram Asatryan (Արամ Ասատրյան; Арам Асатрян) was born in Ejmiatsin, now Vagharshapat, on March 3, 1953, to a refugee family [1].
- He is widely regarded as the pioneer of rabiz and the most popular rabiz singer of all time, and was called "the voice of Hayastan" [1].
- He formed his own band in 1985, wrote over 500 songs, and received Armenia's Gusan award in 2003 [1].
- He died of an apparent heart attack on November 7, 2006, in Oshakan, at a baptism where he was the godfather [1].
His life
He was born in Ejmiatsin on March 3, 1953, and was known as a gifted musician from childhood. He formed his own band in 1985 and became famous for his voice, his style and his energetic concerts, in Armenia and across the diaspora [1]. During the First Nagorno-Karabakh War he sang for the soldiers [1].
He toured Asia, Europe, Russia and the Middle East, and lived in the United States until his death [1]. His sons Tigran and Artash, his nephew Hovhannes, and his grandsons carry on his music [1].
His most played songs
By Spotify plays as recorded in the Armenly catalog on September 17, 2026.
- Trakhdi Peri — Aram Asatryan — about 841,000 plays
- Asem, Te Chasem — Aram Asatryan — the title song of his 2001 album, about 760,000 plays
- Chanaparh — Aram Asatryan — "The road," about 683,000 plays
- Hye Es Du — Aram Asatryan — "You are Armenian," about 649,000 plays
- Sourp Sarkis — Aram Asatryan — about 600,000 plays
- Sulum Em Sulum — Aram Asatryan — about 527,000 plays
- Masis — Aram Asatryan — Mount Ararat, about 480,000 plays
- Matis Matniq — Aram Asatryan — about 433,000 plays
Love of country
His love for Armenia and its people runs through his songs [1], and his album titles show it: Menk Toghel Enk Hayrenike (1987), Mer Hayrenik (1990), Angakh Hayastan (1992), Azat Hayastan (1995) and Hay Es Du (1996) [1].
- Yerevan — Aram Asatryan — his song for the capital
The family band
His son Artash Asatryan carries on the family's party music. "Zurnachiner" ("Zurna players") is one of his most played songs.
- Zurnachiner — Artash Asatryan — about 178,000 plays
- Aram Asatryan — all his songs on Armenly
Questions people ask
When did Aram Asatryan die?
On November 7, 2006, at 53, of an apparent heart attack in Oshakan, Armenia, while attending a baptism as the godfather.
Why is Aram Asatryan called the king of rabiz?
He is widely regarded as the pioneer of rabiz and remains its most popular singer. He wrote over 500 songs.
How do you spell Aram Asatryan in Armenian and Russian?
Armenian: Արամ Ասատրյան. Russian: Арам Асатрян. You will also see Aram Asatrian.
What are Aram Asatryan's most famous songs?
"Trakhdi Peri," "Asem, Te Chasem," "Chanaparh," "Hye Es Du," "Sourp Sarkis" and "Masis" are among his most played.
Sources
- [1] Aram Asatryan — Wikipedia, read November 11, 2026
Cite this page
The Armenly team, "Aram Asatryan: the king of rabiz, his best songs, and his life." Armenly, November 11, 2026. https://armenly.com/guides/aram-asatryan
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