Marc Aryan

Henry Markarian better known as Marc Aryan (born in Valence, France on 14 November 1926 - died in Ohain, Belgium on 30 November 1985) was a successful French and Belgian singer, songwriter, record producer of Armenian origin. Born with French citizenship, he also acquired Belgian citizenship after long residency in the country.

Marc Aryan was born to Lebanese Armenian parents coming from Malatya, Turkey. He worked in his father's business of Middle Eastern food. He fell very ill while he was just 18, and left the father's business and later on, decided to concentrate on music. He studied music and piano in Valence, and started writing his own songs. He left Valence to Paris for better musical opportunities. In 1963, he was established in Waterloo in Belgium and eventually to Ohain.

He founded his own record label and music publishing house. He chose the stage name Marc Aryan based on his family name Markarian. His singles became very popular in France, particularly "Katy", "Angelina", "Si j'etais sur..", "Quand je te prends dans mes bras", "Qu'un peu d'amour", "Mon petit navire", "La chanson du viel aveugle" and "Tu es numéro 1 au hit-parade de mon cœur".

His fame was not only in France and Belgium's francophone market, but Marc Aryan enjoyed great popularity in the Middle East, particularly in Lebanon and Syria, where he also sang some songs in Armenian language.

Between 1966 and 1969, Marc Aryan visited Turkey where his parents originated from. His success was huge after his release of the oriental-themed "Istanbul", one of his best known hits that became an instant classic in Turkey. He also released a number of re-arrangements of his biggest hits in Turkish language, following the example of famous European artists who had done the same like Salvatore Adamo, Johnny Hallyday, Sacha Distel, Enrico Macias and Peppino di Capri. Turkish language versions in his album Istanbul'da include 9 songs including "Yalancısın", "Dünya Dönüyor", "Kalbin Yok Mu?" and others.

Upon his return in 1969, he established a music studio he named Katy after his successful single "Katy". Many renowned artists recorded albums in Marc Aryan's studios including Julio Iglesias, Salvatore Adamo, Michel Fugain, Diana Ross, James Brown and Marvin Gaye.

Marc Aryan also eventually visited his homeland Armenia for very successful concert tour insisting to sing some songs in Armenian.

He died in 1985 in Belgium from a cardiac arrest. He was just 60.