Ahmed Zergui | |
Alias: | Ahmed Zargui |
Birth Date: | Hammam Ahmed |
Birth Place: | Sidi Bel Abbès, Algeria |
Occupation: | Singer, musician |
Genre: | Raï[1] |
Instrument: | guitar |
Ahmed Zergui (El Abbassi) (Arabic أحمد زرقي) (born 1948 in Sidi Bel Abbès, Algeria – 27 November 1983 in Tenira, Algeria) was an Algerian raï singer-songwriter.[1]
He was a pioneer in introducing the Wah-wah pedal into raï music. In the 70s he founded the group Les Frères Zergui consisting of Kacem Atek (rhythm guitar), Benyamna (organ), El Ârbi (drums), Bengamra (accordion). It is believed that "Les Frères Zergui" (the Zergui Brothers) was not composed of brothers but rather of a group of friends. In fact the nickname of the Zergui brothers (زرقي, indigo, blue) was chosen at the time by the editors and this among other things because of their tanned complexion.
Zergui died on 27 November 1983, in a road accident, while driving his car.[2]