01 / Biography
A career that crossed every border
Andy Madadian is an Iranian-Armenian American singer whose career spans more than four decades, fifteen albums and sold-out venues across five continents. He is the first Iranian-Armenian-American to receive both the Ellis Island Medal of Honor and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Beginnings
Andy Madadian was born in Tehran into a family of humble means, nine people in a single-room house. What the house lacked in space it made up for in music. When Iran entered a period of upheaval he left for California on a student visa to play soccer for Cal State LA, arriving with no money, no network and nowhere to live. He took classes by day and played guitar in local clubs at night, toured the US with an American band, then formed the duo Andy & Kouros with Kouros Shahmiri. Four albums later, both went solo.
The sound
Andy is credited with creating a fusion that had not existed before: the music of his Iranian-Armenian heritage layered with African rhythms, Spanish flamenco guitar and Western dance music. He has written with the same lyricist, Paksima Zakipour, for nearly thirty years, a partnership the Persian market compares to Elton John and Bernie Taupin. He sings in Persian, Armenian, English and Spanish, among others.
By the numbers
- Studio albums
- 0Studio albums
- Years on stage
- 0+Years on stage
- Nights at the Greek Theatre
- 0Nights at the Greek Theatre
- Nights at the Dolby Theatre
- 0Nights at the Dolby Theatre
Milestones
2020
First Iranian-Armenian-American to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (17 January)
Watch the ceremony2020
Performs “The Good Fight”, theme song of the feature film American Fighter
2019
Family Film Awards, Lifetime Achievement Award
2017
First Iranian-Armenian-American singer to receive the Ellis Island Medal of Honor (13 May)
2016
Big Apple Music Awards: Icon Award, and Best Duet with La Toya Jackson
2014
Concord Award Moscow; Big Apple Millennium Award; Armenian Pulse Best Armenian International Singer
2012
Performs at the One World Peace Concert with the Dalai Lama
- Halftime performer, Chelsea vs Inter Milan, Rose Bowl, Pasadena
- Halftime performer, LA Galaxy vs Armenia
- MasterPeace Concert, Amsterdam, with Mayssa Karaa
- First Iranian-Armenian singer invited to the White House
Collaborations
02 / Discography
Releases
With Andy & Kouros, 1985 to 1991
Before his solo career, Andy recorded as half of the duo Andy & Kouros with Kouros Shahmiri.
Selected singles
- Jodaie (2025)
- Avalin Gharar (2024)
- Tehran with La Toya Jackson (2016)
- Far And Away with Shani (2014)
- Hana (2011)
- Nune (1999)
03 / Music Videos
Watch
Jodaie
Madaram
Delamo Behet Bastam
Tavalod
Dooset Daram
Stand By Me
with Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora
Published on My Damn Channel.
04 / Gallery
On stage and off
05 / Listen
Stream everywhere
- Latest releases
Spotify
@AndyMadadian
- Full discography
Apple Music
Andy Madadian
- Open
YouTube
@andymusictv
06 / Press
In the press
Los Angeles Times 
Variety 
People 
Eden Magazine 
Pasadena Weekly 
Pasadena Weekly
07 / Live
Tour dates
Upcoming
No dates announced, check back soon
Past
Pittsburgh, USA
TBA
Atlanta, USA
TBA
San Jose, USA
TBA
Los Angeles, USA
Cabaret Tehran — Live at Cabaret Tehran
08 / Contact