THE FIVE FINGERS

THE FIVE FINGERS were one of the very first bands in LEBANON who came up with the "genre" of music called "CONTINENTAL" music...With the Popularity of THE BEATLES and all the other Pop bands in the world, most kids were playing Rock & PoP songs mostly in English, where THE FIVE FINGERS on the contrary to the norm started playing many genres(from Pop to Brazilian music to Latin music to Armenian music to British music)...But in the beginning years they were known to many as a band playing (FRENCH MELODIC LOVE SONGS). ___________________________________________________ THE FIVE FINGERS became a band in 1965 by the Founding members MIMO KROUZIAN (lead singer), NAZO MOUMJIAN(rhythm guitar), HAGOP ANDEZIAN(lead guitar) and DIKRAN MKHSIAN (drums). DIKRAN was an electronics wiz-kid who built the Amplifiers with his own hands, he asked BOGHOS to join the band...Months later BOGHOS SHAHMELIKIAN joined as (bass guitarist). They started playing in clubs and movie theatres as a cover band at first,(However they wrote many original songs at the same time). In 1969 after DIKRAN left the band, they hired a new drummer by the name of VACO who was a songwriter as well. MIHRAN "MIMO" KROUZIAN was an excellent singer,(one of the very best in Lebanon), who sang in many languages. He was also a very talented songwriter, who wrote many of the hit songs... MIMO had a commanding presence on stage as well. In 1969 THE FIVE FINGERS recorded their first single record in French called (UN JOUR D'ETE) which was played on the radios and became a hit, The Movie Theatres also showed The Five Fingers on a Trailer called "MODE AQUALITE". At the time of the first recorded hit song, they had an excellent keyboard player by the name of HRATCH GUIRINIAN who left the band after one year due to Artistic differences, and was replaced by STEPAN FROUNJIAN who was the youngest member of the band, who was talented but did not have much experience, he could read notes, had a great ear for music and had similar musical taste...STEPAN was a kid who looked up to THE FIVE FINGERS who were one of the most popular bands in LEBANON and one of the very best bands in their "Genre" of CONTINENTAL/POP Music. This is where BOGHOS SHAHMELIKIAN (bass guitar) came in to the rescue, he was the advisor of the band and the main decision maker...while the other members of the band did not want to hire a kid, BOGHOS used his judgement and convinced the band to hire STEPAN who excelled to the level of the rest in a very short time, and fit right in. BOGHOS's brilliant ideas and many choices helped the bands success and longevity for over 11 years. ____________________________________________________ Many other original hit singles followed...songs like (SOMETIMES) in English and in (Armenian), and their biggest hit called ("ARMENIA") a protest song against the Armenian Genocide and freedom from the Soviet Union. (ARMENIA) WAS RECORDED BY THE MAJOR LABEL (PHILIPS), which gave the band (THE PHILIPS SILVER DISC AWARD)... This song was banned on the radios due to a protest from the Turkish government...however after going underground, the single sold more copies then they ever expected...Plus all the JUKE-BOX'S in the country were playing the song constantly!!! The song (ARMENIA)was written by the drummer VACO and sung by the guitarist HAGOP ANDEZIAN. The first time they played this song "live" at the "GULBENKIAN HALL", they got a standing ovation, where they could not continue the concert until they played the same song many times over. ____________________________________________________ THE FIVE FINGERS wrote many original songs & became one of the most Popular pop bands in LEBANON & later on with the Armenian population as well. Their songs were sung by many other singers throughout the decades...However they(THE FIVE FINGERS) were the ones who wrote popular Armenian songs like (HYE ORTIK) & (OOR KEZ PENDREM),(ANTZAZ ORER) & MANY OTHERS, these songs became like Anthems. After VACO left the band around 1974, THE FIVE FINGERS hired another drummer by the name of VASKO, who was also a good singer. With VASKO they recorded their first Album in the Armenian language. Towards the middle of 1976, one and a half years after the Lebanese civil war started and lasted 15 years...THE FIVE FINGERS disbanded and went to the United States. One member remains in Lebanon. Although THE FIVE FINGERS toured a little bit to Africa and parts of the Middle East and were signed by a major label PHILIPS...The 15 year civil war basically stopped this great band from going world wide. _________________________________________________ Today many bands COPY this band all over the world. Former drummer (VACO DELLALIAN), the keyboard player (STEPAN FROUNJIAN) & former rhythm guitarist (NAZO MOUMJIAN) are still very active musically. HAGOP ANDEZIAN, besides being an excellent Guitarist and Singer had dozens of written songs to his credit. After leaving the FIVE FINGERS, former Guitarist NAZO, recorded an excellent CD in Montreal Canada. THE FIVE FINGERS were one of the best bands in LEBANON. When people thought about "BEIRUT NIGHTS" they thought about the Five Fingers. They were also the favorite band to play at the prestigeous "LA FOURMI" resort club in DHOUR SHWEIR, in fact the owner of the club requested that they play there every weekend in the summer times for many-many years. They also played at the (AZADAMARD) club in Ashrafieh once a month for many years. They also played at (EPI)club, (Cassino Du Liban), (Le Temple) just to name a few...THE FIVE FINGERS leave us with some of the most beautiful original love songs in many languages. Many of these songs are sang by many singers throughout the world. Many people today do not know where these songs originated from, or who wrote them...well, you got it...THE FIVE FINGERS.There is always the possibility of this band coming together again for a reunion concert...Let's hope that becomes a reality one of these days, that would be a real treat for the new generation to experience INOVATIVE Original bands such as THE FIVE FINGERS.. (THE FIVE FINGERS)... WHERE ARE THEY NOW??? _____________________________________________________MIMO KROUZIAN: He was one of the FOUNDING MEMBERS of THE FIVE FINGERS. He was considered as one of the best Melodic Pop(French) singers in Lebanon. Today he lives in Ballingham Washington with his family where he recently moved from the San Fernando Valley in California. He is a successful Artist with a unique style who works with acrylic paint on canvas or parchment, and has Exhibitions in Washington. His work can also be seen at the (boat show gallery)...to check his creative work go to (www.mimokfineart.com). MIMO is a great songwriter with many pop love songs to his credit. He wrote and sang most of the HIT songs they had from 1969-1975 when they were at the peak of their career and their songs were being played on the radios. He is a great singer of melodic/romantic songs, specially in French and Italian. He also played the guitar, percussions, etc. He was basically the leader of the band. _____________________________________________________HAGOP ANDEZIAN: One of the FOUNDING MEMBERS was a great guitarist, singer and a great songwriter. He was always the first to learn a new song and used to tell the rest of the band about what chords and arrangments to use. He is witty, very funny with a sense of humor, fun loving and a very nice guy. Although at first he was shy on stage, later he lost the shyness and stagefright and had a strong presence in front of audiences. When VACO wrote the song "Armenia", MIMO did not want to sing it since it had political overtones as well as the fact that MIMO sang only the songs he wrote, songs that were very personal to him , the band decided that HAGOP should sing the song and therefore THE FIVE FINGERS biggest hit "ARMENIA" was sung by HAGOP. Until today he is the only member who stayed in Lebanon with his family, but he did mention that he would gladly participate in a FIVE FINGERS reunion concert if and when it happens. _____________________________________________________BOGHOS SHAHMELIKIAN: One of the FOUNDING MEMBERS is a great Bass player and did vocal harmonies. He also plays piano, guitar, organ and drums. With THE FIVE FINGERS he wrote a few songs as well. As we mentioned before BOGHOS made some of the most important decisions for the band and he has contributed in the 11 year longevity of the band. Although he stopped playing in bands for a while now, but every day when he comes home from work he plays his piano for 15 minutes before dinner and that relaxes him. In 2002 BOGHOS wrote and published a 65 page book about THE FIVE FINGERS, called "HISHADAGNER...ANTZAZ ORER", meaning (MEMORIES...DAYS PAST), it's a summery about the lives and career of the FIVE FINGERS. BOGHOS lives in Southern California with his family. Although he sais his musical years are behind him, but in a conversation when the subject of music comes up, and specially THE FIVE FINGERS, his eyes lit up, in fact when sending a recent e-mail to his bandmate Hagop, BOGHOS wrote... "after I left THE FIVE FINGERS, I played with almost all the Armenian singers and bands, but none of them gave me the satisfaction of THE FIVE FINGERS"!!! _______________________________________________________STEPA N FROUNJIAN: After "THE FIVE FINGERS" had their first hit single on the radios "UN JOUR D'ETE" in 1969, they needed a new keyboard player, so around 1970 they hired the youngest member of the band STEPAN FROUNJIAN, who had a great ear for music, could read notes and was very hard working. Within short months he excelled to the level of his band mates. He also contributed and helped in writing new songs. STEPAN is very organized and disciplined. He is witty, and likes practical jokes and is fun to be around, but he does not like lazy people in a band. He believes that practice is the key to success in music!!! and in a band situation being synchronized & practicing together is a very important aspect...as The well known Pianist and Arranger Jacque Kojian said about THE FIVE FINGERS, "Together you are one of the best musicians". STEPAN lives in Racine, Wisconsin with his family, he has never stoped playing keyboards as a one man band as well as with other musicians. He plays mostly Armenian songs and sometimes European and American songs. He plays the saxophone, the flute and duduk. STEPAN even made some musical instruments like the "KANON" and the "OUD" as a hobby, (you can see this on his website). Overall Stepan is a good musician and a nice guy. He welcomes the fans comments on this site. _______________________________________________________ VACO DELLALIAN: When DIKRAN(drummer) left the band, THE FIVE FINGERS went through a few drummers the next few months until they found a good one VACO, who was also a great songwriter. with the addition of a keyboard player and the addition of VACO, the chemistry of the band changed and around 1969 THE FIVE FINGERS decided to become RECORDING ARTISTS. The hit songs started one after the other. In 1972 VACO wrote the song "ARMENIA" which became their biggest hit and sold thousands and thousands of copies(45's). In concerts it also got the most applause and standing ovations. In 1974 he won first place at the LEBANESE INTERNATIONAL SONG WRITING COMPETITION...and in 1976 he got an "honorary mention" in the "U.S. SONGWRITING" competition. After VACO left the band around 1974 to come to the U.S., he continued his music as a solo singer for childrens songs, where he wrote about 60 childrens songs, recorded five albums, 3 DVD's and won the "ARMENIAN MUSIC AWARDS" twice. VACO is going to release his first solo CD called "IN LOVE AGAIN", (An album full of Folk, Pop, Jazz and Brazilian music in English), written, produced, played(classical guitar), and sang by him with an orchestra of professional musicians including a quartet. To be released very soon. VACO lives in Los Angeles with his family. ________________________________________________________HAGO P ANDEZIAN, left(singing the song "ARMENIA"), while (BOGHOS SHAHMELIKIAN, right) and (VACO, middle) doing harmony.(THE FIVE FINGERS in concert)...From left to right...STEPAN FROUNJIAN...MIMO KROUZIAN...HAGOP ANDEZIAN...BOGHOS SHAHMELIKIAN...VACO DELLALIAN!"THE FIVE FINGERS" after their performance at the prestigeous HOTEL BRISTOL."STEPAN FROUNJIAN" playing (ARMENIAN WEDDING DANCE) on keyboards(2007)."STEPAN FROUNJIAN" playing (ARMENIAN FISHERMEN DANCE) on Keyboards (2007)."STEPAN FROUNJIAN" playing (DZAMEROU BAR) on Keyboards (2007).STEPAN FROUNJIAN playing the Saxophone. ___________________________________________________STEPAN FROUNJIAN with the "Oud" that he made! ___________________________________________________Guitarist of THE FIVE FINGERS (HAGOP ANDEZIAN & wife ANI ANDEZIAN), (2007).BOGHOS SHAHMELIKIAN (left) and MIMO KROUZIAN (right) of "THE FIVE FINGERS" band in 2005, in Bellington-Washington.______________________________________ _____________________THE FOUNDING MEMBERS of "THE FIVE FINGERS" (1965-1968)...From left to right...(HAGOP ANDEZIAN), (NAZO MOUMDJIAN), (DIKRAN MKHSIAN), (MIMO KROUZIAN), (BOGHOS SHAHMELIKIAN) during one of their very first concerts ever in 1965 at "BOIS DE BOLOGNE". ____________________________________________________________ _NAZO MOUMDJIAN: One of the FOUNDING MEMBERS of THE FIVE FINGERS(1965-1968). NAZO was the rhythm guitarist as well as the second singer of the band, where he sang all the pop songs in English as MIMO sang the French and Italian songs. NAZO was and still is a very hard worker. During those years THE FIVE FINGERS had become very popular and were playing at the most prestigeous venues and clubs. They were so much in demand and worked so hard that sometimes they played at 5 concerts in two days and would be exhausted from too much work and sleeplessness. One day after about 5 performances in 2 days NAZO fainted on stage which scared everybody, but he got up shortly and was okey. At the height of their popularity, one day in 1968 NAZO decided to leave the band and move to Montreal Canada. The band was devastated since he was one of the pillars and founders...This also started rumors that the band might break up. Soon after he moved to Canada NAZO formed a new FIVE FINGERS band there. Years later NAZO started his one-man-band and recorded a CD. Now in 2007, his second CD is to be released soon...we will post it here!!!You can also check his own myspace site...it's the fourth "friend", below to the right under the name "NAZ"! ____________________________________________________________ _DIKRAN MKHSIAN: One of the FOUNDING MEMBERS. DIKRAN was the drummer of the band (1965-1968). He enjoyed a few years of popularity with the band. DIKRAN was an electronics wiz-kid and used to build amplifiers with his own hands, helping the band. At the height of popularity the band was having playing at prestigeous places like "LA FOURMI", suddenly, one day DIKRAN announced that he does not want to continue being a musician and wanted to get into Electronics instead. He traveled to Iran for business and then moved to Greece where he lives with his family until today. He visits Southern California once in a while and always meets with his old band mates. ____________________________________________________________ _ HRATCH GUIRINIAN: Around 1969 THE FIVE FINGERS decided they needed a keyboard player added to the band. They hired HRATCH who was an excellent 18 year old player. With HRATCH they recorded their first single, "UN JOUR D'ETE" which became a hit and was played on the radios. But soon THE FIVE FINGERS realized that HRATCH's musical tastes were different, he only wanted to play rock music while THE FIVE FINGERS played many different forms and genres of music, from POP to CONTINENTAL, to Tango to Passo Doble to Armenian music, English & Brazilian etc.You can see HRATCH GUIRINIAN'S picture on the cover of the single "UN JOUR D'ETE". He is the first one on from the left.After a short time in 1969, HRATCH left the band and performed in various Middle Eastern countries as a solo artist. ____________________________________________________________ _VASCO: After VACO left the band in 1974, VASCO joined as the new drummer(1974-1976). He was also a good second singer. With VASCO "THE FIVE FINGERS" recorded their first "ARMENIAN ALBUM". However any way people look at it VASCO got the short end of the stick...he had some bad luck, as did the whole band...because around 1975, the Lebanese civil war started and THE FIVE FINGERS songs were not becoming hits anymore like they used to...But in reality it wasn't anybody's fault...It was the civil war!You can see VASCO'S picture on the cover of the first "ARMENIAN ALBUM"...he is the first one from the left.VASCO stopped playing drums & lives both in the U.S. and Canada with his family. ____________________________________________________________ _THE FIVE FINGERS first "ARMENIAN ALBUM" cover with VASCO to the very left. ____________________________________________________________ _THE FIVE FINGERS AT "AZADAMARD CLUB" WHERE THEY PLAYED ONCE A MONTH FOR MANY YEARS. ____________________________________________________________ _"THE FIVE FINGERS" IN CONCERT AT "DER MELKONIAN" HALL...DIFFERENT SHOTS!THE FIRST SINGLE ABOUT THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE CALLED "ARMENIA", WRITTEN AND SANG BY "THE FIVE FINGERS" ON THE EUROPEAN LABEL "PHILIPS"(1972).Another view of THE FIVE FINGERS performing at DER-MELKINIAN hall. ____________________________________________________________ _ ____________________________________________________________ __ABOVE, FROM THE "LA REVUE DU LIBAN" MAGAZINE. _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________(THE FIVE FINGERS) ABOVE...AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE CLUB "LE TEMPLE" WHERE THEY PLAYED MANY TIMES AS A VEDETTE BAND IN 1969-1970 AFTER RELEASING THEIR FIRST SINGLE. _____________________________________________TOP, BOGHOS SHAHMELIKIAN (left) and MIMO KROUZIAN (right) of "THE FIVE FINGERS" in 1969.THIS IS WHAT IS LEFT OF "LA FOURMI", WHERE THE (FIVE FINGERS) PLAYED FOR 6 YEARS NON-STOP ON THE WEEKENDS IN THE SUMMERTIMES, IN THE BEAUTIFUL MOUNTAIN RESORT TOWN OF "DHOUR SHWEIR".