FOREMOST TRIBUTE

Zartong (1978): The first Armenian Diaspora Rock shining.

Richard Tanelian: Drums
Lorys Tildian: Kematcha – Vocals
FranckTildian: Bass – Vocals
Stepan Akian: Santour – Synthesizers – Vocals

That was Zartong’s band, which is the Armenian equivalent of “Renaissance” in allusion to that Nation’s literary development of the XIXth century.
In fact, I felt delighted at the time I discovered that band. From the musical perspective, they represent a unique jewel with no precedents, considering the music genre in that time and perhaps considering nowadays also.
From the cover’s futuristic artwork (by Seferian), typical of the progressive rock, up to the cultural add-ons of Armenian folk culture in all their songs, Zartong attach an emblem that any fusion lover should worship.
Only one LP was published, a twelve song homonym, including songs from their own creation and symphonic rock from Komitas recompilations, a musician, compiler and documentary maker.

A year ago, I could finally contact Franck. I do not remember how I looked for him through a search engine and wrote him a few lines, in order to know a little bit more about his band. His answer was:

“Hi, Thanks for your email.
I am happy you appreciate Zartong after so many years. Actually I am not staying in France so I have no documents concerning Zartong. Zartong was really a concept as it means rebirth in Armenian. At that time we loved traditional music but (as musicians) we couldn’t assume to replay it as it was because we wanted to put our real feelings in it and we refused to assume a kind of death of the Armenian music after the genocide.
We experience a lot during about two years to get all together the Zartong touch that I would qualify as: strong and mystic, a cry of Armenian identity in the world. We have played in lot of places with a few and with a lot of people.
At that time we had to do everything by ourselves, building amps and sound reinforcement, repairing our truck, electrifying the acoustic instruments…it was hard but we enjoyed it because each time we performed, we acted for recognition of Armenian rights.
As first ethnic rock band we astonished a lot of people but we were not very well helped. After so many years when I heard System of a Down for the first time I felt: yeah! This is really great, just the same felling: Strong and Mystic.
We need our roots, as flowers, without them, we can’t grow.
Nowadays I am married and I have three boys: Massis, Armen and Vahe.
Your logo is great and means a lot; I heard the music you play on your site, it’s hot and dynamic. I like it!
Keep on burning,

Franck.”

Hail to them and the upcoming ones.
Juancito (aka Dr. Uchee)