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12 US rock stars you didn't know were Lebanese!

Published July 23rd, 2015 - 02:20 GMT

Legendary US radio DJ Casey Kasem died last June, leaving a long-reaching legacy in American modern music. He not only entertained radio listeners as the host of popular music countdown shows, but was also an effervescent voice-over actor. (He was Shaggy in the "Scooby-Doo" cartoon series!) Kasem was just one of many Lebanese entertainers “instrumental” in American modern music.

Born Kemal Amen Kasem in Detroit in 1932, he was the son of Druze parents from Lebanon and enthusiastically embraced his Arab roots. He promoted Lebanese artists, supported Lebanese charities, and collaborated with other Lebanese-Americans on his varied productions. His colleague and boyhood pal Don Bustany, another talent with “Bei-roots,” created and produced the radio programs that shot Kasem to stardom.

The 1960’s “British Invasion” radically changed American music, but an earlier (and arguably more influential) “Lebanese Invasion” helped position American popular music as central on the world stage.

Lebanese-Americans make up about one percent of the US population, but they’ve been key contributors to the country’s arts and sciences for over 100 years, emerging as leaders in the pop music scene. Their contributions were often sublime, sometimes teetering on kitsch — but always influential to future artists ranging from Frank Sinatra, to Etta James, to Michael Jackson.  

Here are just a few of the more famous ones — tell us who we missed!

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Despite having recorded just one single record, Casey Kassem built a career on his voice that spanned nearly half a century. Best known as a radio deejay, he was also the voice actor behind the lovable mutt Shaggy on cartoon series Scooby Doo.

Despite having recorded just one single record, Casey Kassem built a career on his voice that spanned nearly half a century. Best known as a radio deejay, he was also the voice actor behind the lovable mutt Shaggy on cartoon series Scooby Doo.

Like his boyhood pal Kasem, Don Bustany was born in Detroit in 1928 to Lebanese-linked parents. With Kasem, he co-created the US “hit countdown” radio shows. A staunch activist for the Palestinian right of return, Bustany now produces and hosts the radio program Middle East in Focus for the Pacifica Radio network.

Like his boyhood pal Kasem, Don Bustany was born in Detroit in 1928 to Lebanese-linked parents. With Kasem, he co-created the US “hit countdown” radio shows. A staunch activist for the Palestinian right of return, Bustany now produces and hosts the radio program Middle East in Focus for the Pacifica Radio network.

a Lebanese-American folk singer "Tiny Tim" (born Herbert Khaury in 1932) was a ukulele player most famous for his version of "Tiptoe Through the Tulips" sung in a high falsetto voice. He famously got married on Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show in 1969. See him on YouTube — he could be Russell Brand’s dad!

a Lebanese-American folk singer "Tiny Tim" (born Herbert Khaury in 1932) was a ukulele player most famous for his version of "Tiptoe Through the Tulips" sung in a high falsetto voice. He famously got married on Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show in 1969. See him on YouTube — he could be Russell Brand’s dad!

1950s guitar legend Dick Dale, born 1937, may be way before your time. But his unique surf-rock sound outlives him — his epic “Miserlou” underscored the opening scene of “Pulp Fiction”! His Lebanese father’s Eastern music infused the melodies of The King of the Surf Guitar, influencing, among others, Jimi Hendrix and Eddie Van Halen.

1950s guitar legend Dick Dale, born 1937, may be way before your time. But his unique surf-rock sound outlives him — his epic “Miserlou” underscored the opening scene of “Pulp Fiction”! His Lebanese father’s Eastern music infused the melodies of The King of the Surf Guitar, influencing, among others, Jimi Hendrix and Eddie Van Halen.

Lebanese-rooted singer Neil Sedaka (born 1939) sold millions of records and penned over 500 songs for himself and others. Sugary ‘60s hits like "Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen" and "Calendar Girl" pale next to his classics "Fly Me to the Moon" and “My Funny Valentine,” best sung by epic artists like Sinatra and Etta James.

Lebanese-rooted singer Neil Sedaka (born 1939) sold millions of records and penned over 500 songs for himself and others. Sugary ‘60s hits like "Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen" and "Calendar Girl" pale next to his classics "Fly Me to the Moon" and “My Funny Valentine,” best sung by epic artists like Sinatra and Etta James.

Rocker Frank Zappa, born in 1940, got his Lebanese on through his dad. He joined a California R&B band as a guitarist and singer; by ’66, that band became the notorious Mothers of Invention. During a show at Montreux, the audience started a fire that burned down the casino — immortalized in Deep Purple's song "Smoke on the Water."

Rocker Frank Zappa, born in 1940, got his Lebanese on through his dad. He joined a California R&B band as a guitarist and singer; by ’66, that band became the notorious Mothers of Invention. During a show at Montreux, the audience started a fire that burned down the casino — immortalized in Deep Purple's song "Smoke on the Water."

Early US teen idol Paul Anka, born 1941 to parents with Lebanese roots, topped charts from the ’50s through ’70s with songs like "Put Your Head on My Shoulder" and cringe-worthy "(You're) Having My Baby." Like Sedaka, he excelled in composing — penning lyrics for Sinatra's signature "My Way" and co-writing with Michael Jackson.

Early US teen idol Paul Anka, born 1941 to parents with Lebanese roots, topped charts from the ’50s through ’70s with songs like "Put Your Head on My Shoulder" and cringe-worthy "(You're) Having My Baby." Like Sedaka, he excelled in composing — penning lyrics for Sinatra's signature "My Way" and co-writing with Michael Jackson.

George “G. E.” Smith, longterm bandleader and musical director for TV’s "Saturday Night Live” had been lead guitarist in the ’80s band Hall & Oates. He held the same job for Bob Dylan from 1988 to 1990. Born in 1952, his real (Lebanese!) last name is Haddad, and he was briefly married to comedian Gilda Radner.

George “G. E.” Smith, longterm bandleader and musical director for TV’s "Saturday Night Live” had been lead guitarist in the ’80s band Hall & Oates. He held the same job for Bob Dylan from 1988 to 1990. Born in 1952, his real (Lebanese!) last name is Haddad, and he was briefly married to comedian Gilda Radner.

19-time Grammy Award-winning musician and producer Emilio Estefan, Jr. (born 1953) is a Cuban-American with a side order of Lebanese ancestry. Married to singer Gloria Estefan, they soared to fame as members of the 1980s big-haired power group, Miami Sound Machine.

19-time Grammy Award-winning musician and producer Emilio Estefan, Jr. (born 1953) is a Cuban-American with a side order of Lebanese ancestry. Married to singer Gloria Estefan, they soared to fame as members of the 1980s big-haired power group, Miami Sound Machine.

Musician, composer, and lyricist David Yazbeck (born 1961) gets his Lebanese connection from his dad. Yazbeck scored "The Full Monty" and Broadway musicals “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” and “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown.” He also won an Emmy Award as a writer for David Letterman's late night TV show.

Musician, composer, and lyricist David Yazbeck (born 1961) gets his Lebanese connection from his dad. Yazbeck scored "The Full Monty" and Broadway musicals “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” and “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown.” He also won an Emmy Award as a writer for David Letterman's late night TV show.

Serj Tankian, born in Beirut in 1967, is a singer-songwriter, composer, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, poet, and political activist, best known as the lead vocalist of the Armenian-American metal band System of a Down. Can he fit all that on a business card?

Serj Tankian, born in Beirut in 1967, is a singer-songwriter, composer, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, poet, and political activist, best known as the lead vocalist of the Armenian-American metal band System of a Down. Can he fit all that on a business card?

a System of a Down also features songwriter-drummer John Dolmayan, also born in Beirut in 1973. During the Lebanese Civil War, a stray bullet hit his boyhood (and thankfully unoccupied) Beirut bed, prompting his family to emigrate and eventually landing in California, where Dolmayan would meet future bandmate Tankian.

a System of a Down also features songwriter-drummer John Dolmayan, also born in Beirut in 1973. During the Lebanese Civil War, a stray bullet hit his boyhood (and thankfully unoccupied) Beirut bed, prompting his family to emigrate and eventually landing in California, where Dolmayan would meet future bandmate Tankian.

Despite having recorded just one single record, Casey Kassem built a career on his voice that spanned nearly half a century. Best known as a radio deejay, he was also the voice actor behind the lovable mutt Shaggy on cartoon series Scooby Doo.
Like his boyhood pal Kasem, Don Bustany was born in Detroit in 1928 to Lebanese-linked parents. With Kasem, he co-created the US “hit countdown” radio shows. A staunch activist for the Palestinian right of return, Bustany now produces and hosts the radio program Middle East in Focus for the Pacifica Radio network.
a Lebanese-American folk singer "Tiny Tim" (born Herbert Khaury in 1932) was a ukulele player most famous for his version of "Tiptoe Through the Tulips" sung in a high falsetto voice. He famously got married on Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show in 1969. See him on YouTube — he could be Russell Brand’s dad!
1950s guitar legend Dick Dale, born 1937, may be way before your time. But his unique surf-rock sound outlives him — his epic “Miserlou” underscored the opening scene of “Pulp Fiction”! His Lebanese father’s Eastern music infused the melodies of The King of the Surf Guitar, influencing, among others, Jimi Hendrix and Eddie Van Halen.
Lebanese-rooted singer Neil Sedaka (born 1939) sold millions of records and penned over 500 songs for himself and others. Sugary ‘60s hits like "Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen" and "Calendar Girl" pale next to his classics "Fly Me to the Moon" and “My Funny Valentine,” best sung by epic artists like Sinatra and Etta James.
Rocker Frank Zappa, born in 1940, got his Lebanese on through his dad. He joined a California R&B band as a guitarist and singer; by ’66, that band became the notorious Mothers of Invention. During a show at Montreux, the audience started a fire that burned down the casino — immortalized in Deep Purple's song "Smoke on the Water."
Early US teen idol Paul Anka, born 1941 to parents with Lebanese roots, topped charts from the ’50s through ’70s with songs like "Put Your Head on My Shoulder" and cringe-worthy "(You're) Having My Baby." Like Sedaka, he excelled in composing — penning lyrics for Sinatra's signature "My Way" and co-writing with Michael Jackson.
George “G. E.” Smith, longterm bandleader and musical director for TV’s "Saturday Night Live” had been lead guitarist in the ’80s band Hall & Oates. He held the same job for Bob Dylan from 1988 to 1990. Born in 1952, his real (Lebanese!) last name is Haddad, and he was briefly married to comedian Gilda Radner.
19-time Grammy Award-winning musician and producer Emilio Estefan, Jr. (born 1953) is a Cuban-American with a side order of Lebanese ancestry. Married to singer Gloria Estefan, they soared to fame as members of the 1980s big-haired power group, Miami Sound Machine.
Musician, composer, and lyricist David Yazbeck (born 1961) gets his Lebanese connection from his dad. Yazbeck scored "The Full Monty" and Broadway musicals “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” and “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown.” He also won an Emmy Award as a writer for David Letterman's late night TV show.
Serj Tankian, born in Beirut in 1967, is a singer-songwriter, composer, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, poet, and political activist, best known as the lead vocalist of the Armenian-American metal band System of a Down. Can he fit all that on a business card?
a System of a Down also features songwriter-drummer John Dolmayan, also born in Beirut in 1973. During the Lebanese Civil War, a stray bullet hit his boyhood (and thankfully unoccupied) Beirut bed, prompting his family to emigrate and eventually landing in California, where Dolmayan would meet future bandmate Tankian.
Despite having recorded just one single record, Casey Kassem built a career on his voice that spanned nearly half a century. Best known as a radio deejay, he was also the voice actor behind the lovable mutt Shaggy on cartoon series Scooby Doo.
Despite having recorded just one single record, Casey Kassem built a career on his voice that spanned nearly half a century. Best known as a radio deejay, he was also the voice actor behind the lovable mutt Shaggy on cartoon series Scooby Doo.
Like his boyhood pal Kasem, Don Bustany was born in Detroit in 1928 to Lebanese-linked parents. With Kasem, he co-created the US “hit countdown” radio shows. A staunch activist for the Palestinian right of return, Bustany now produces and hosts the radio program Middle East in Focus for the Pacifica Radio network.
Like his boyhood pal Kasem, Don Bustany was born in Detroit in 1928 to Lebanese-linked parents. With Kasem, he co-created the US “hit countdown” radio shows. A staunch activist for the Palestinian right of return, Bustany now produces and hosts the radio program Middle East in Focus for the Pacifica Radio network.
a Lebanese-American folk singer "Tiny Tim" (born Herbert Khaury in 1932) was a ukulele player most famous for his version of "Tiptoe Through the Tulips" sung in a high falsetto voice. He famously got married on Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show in 1969. See him on YouTube — he could be Russell Brand’s dad!
a Lebanese-American folk singer "Tiny Tim" (born Herbert Khaury in 1932) was a ukulele player most famous for his version of "Tiptoe Through the Tulips" sung in a high falsetto voice. He famously got married on Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show in 1969. See him on YouTube — he could be Russell Brand’s dad!
1950s guitar legend Dick Dale, born 1937, may be way before your time. But his unique surf-rock sound outlives him — his epic “Miserlou” underscored the opening scene of “Pulp Fiction”! His Lebanese father’s Eastern music infused the melodies of The King of the Surf Guitar, influencing, among others, Jimi Hendrix and Eddie Van Halen.
1950s guitar legend Dick Dale, born 1937, may be way before your time. But his unique surf-rock sound outlives him — his epic “Miserlou” underscored the opening scene of “Pulp Fiction”! His Lebanese father’s Eastern music infused the melodies of The King of the Surf Guitar, influencing, among others, Jimi Hendrix and Eddie Van Halen.
Lebanese-rooted singer Neil Sedaka (born 1939) sold millions of records and penned over 500 songs for himself and others. Sugary ‘60s hits like "Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen" and "Calendar Girl" pale next to his classics "Fly Me to the Moon" and “My Funny Valentine,” best sung by epic artists like Sinatra and Etta James.
Lebanese-rooted singer Neil Sedaka (born 1939) sold millions of records and penned over 500 songs for himself and others. Sugary ‘60s hits like "Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen" and "Calendar Girl" pale next to his classics "Fly Me to the Moon" and “My Funny Valentine,” best sung by epic artists like Sinatra and Etta James.
Rocker Frank Zappa, born in 1940, got his Lebanese on through his dad. He joined a California R&B band as a guitarist and singer; by ’66, that band became the notorious Mothers of Invention. During a show at Montreux, the audience started a fire that burned down the casino — immortalized in Deep Purple's song "Smoke on the Water."
Rocker Frank Zappa, born in 1940, got his Lebanese on through his dad. He joined a California R&B band as a guitarist and singer; by ’66, that band became the notorious Mothers of Invention. During a show at Montreux, the audience started a fire that burned down the casino — immortalized in Deep Purple's song "Smoke on the Water."
Early US teen idol Paul Anka, born 1941 to parents with Lebanese roots, topped charts from the ’50s through ’70s with songs like "Put Your Head on My Shoulder" and cringe-worthy "(You're) Having My Baby." Like Sedaka, he excelled in composing — penning lyrics for Sinatra's signature "My Way" and co-writing with Michael Jackson.
Early US teen idol Paul Anka, born 1941 to parents with Lebanese roots, topped charts from the ’50s through ’70s with songs like "Put Your Head on My Shoulder" and cringe-worthy "(You're) Having My Baby." Like Sedaka, he excelled in composing — penning lyrics for Sinatra's signature "My Way" and co-writing with Michael Jackson.
George “G. E.” Smith, longterm bandleader and musical director for TV’s "Saturday Night Live” had been lead guitarist in the ’80s band Hall & Oates. He held the same job for Bob Dylan from 1988 to 1990. Born in 1952, his real (Lebanese!) last name is Haddad, and he was briefly married to comedian Gilda Radner.
George “G. E.” Smith, longterm bandleader and musical director for TV’s "Saturday Night Live” had been lead guitarist in the ’80s band Hall & Oates. He held the same job for Bob Dylan from 1988 to 1990. Born in 1952, his real (Lebanese!) last name is Haddad, and he was briefly married to comedian Gilda Radner.
19-time Grammy Award-winning musician and producer Emilio Estefan, Jr. (born 1953) is a Cuban-American with a side order of Lebanese ancestry. Married to singer Gloria Estefan, they soared to fame as members of the 1980s big-haired power group, Miami Sound Machine.
19-time Grammy Award-winning musician and producer Emilio Estefan, Jr. (born 1953) is a Cuban-American with a side order of Lebanese ancestry. Married to singer Gloria Estefan, they soared to fame as members of the 1980s big-haired power group, Miami Sound Machine.
Musician, composer, and lyricist David Yazbeck (born 1961) gets his Lebanese connection from his dad. Yazbeck scored "The Full Monty" and Broadway musicals “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” and “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown.” He also won an Emmy Award as a writer for David Letterman's late night TV show.
Musician, composer, and lyricist David Yazbeck (born 1961) gets his Lebanese connection from his dad. Yazbeck scored "The Full Monty" and Broadway musicals “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” and “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown.” He also won an Emmy Award as a writer for David Letterman's late night TV show.
Serj Tankian, born in Beirut in 1967, is a singer-songwriter, composer, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, poet, and political activist, best known as the lead vocalist of the Armenian-American metal band System of a Down. Can he fit all that on a business card?
Serj Tankian, born in Beirut in 1967, is a singer-songwriter, composer, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, poet, and political activist, best known as the lead vocalist of the Armenian-American metal band System of a Down. Can he fit all that on a business card?
a System of a Down also features songwriter-drummer John Dolmayan, also born in Beirut in 1973. During the Lebanese Civil War, a stray bullet hit his boyhood (and thankfully unoccupied) Beirut bed, prompting his family to emigrate and eventually landing in California, where Dolmayan would meet future bandmate Tankian.
a System of a Down also features songwriter-drummer John Dolmayan, also born in Beirut in 1973. During the Lebanese Civil War, a stray bullet hit his boyhood (and thankfully unoccupied) Beirut bed, prompting his family to emigrate and eventually landing in California, where Dolmayan would meet future bandmate Tankian.

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