Renowned Syrian singer Sabah Al-Fakhri dies aged 88

Renowned Syrian singer Sabah al-Fakhri has died at the age of 88, the Syndicate of Syrian Artists announced on Tuesday.

Al-Fakhri, a native of Aleppo, was counted among the greats of Arabic singers among the likes of Umm Kulthum and Fairouz. The singer's 70-year career helped bring Arabic music into the mainstream of global music.

His flair for performance started at an early age, when he performed for the president and prime minister of Syria in 1948, when he was just 15.

He studied music at academies in Damascus and Aleppo, and exemplified his connection to his homeland through his songs, which often spoke of Syria.

Syrian actor Moatesm al-Nahar posted a picture of al-Fakhri in memoriam saying "goodbye to the father of art, goodbye to the soul of art".

He was given the Guinness World Record after he sang for ten straight hours at a performance in Venezuela. He was also awarded the Syrian Order of Merit of Excellent Degree in 2007 for his contributions to Syria's artistic heritage.