The head of the Egyptian Musicians' Syndicate, Mustafa Kamel, announced that musician Helmy Bakar passed away on Friday at the age of 86 after a long career during which he contributed hundreds of songs for prominent Egyptian and Arab singers. His health had deteriorated over the past three months, and he received medical care in a hospital before continuing treatment at home.
Helmy Eid Mohamed Bakar was born in December 1937 and graduated from the Higher Institute of Arabic Music, while also earning a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce. He initially worked as a music teacher at a school before resigning to fully dedicate himself to music. He composed for major artists such as Layla Murad, Warda Al-Jazairia, Fayza Ahmed, Nagat Al-Saghira, Maher Al-Attar, Yasmin Al-Khayyam, Mohamed Rushdi, Asala Nasri, Samira Said, Imad Abdel Halim, and Mohamed Mounir.
He also created music for many theatrical productions, including "Hawadit" for the Light Theater troupe, "Sayyidati Al-Jamilah" starring Fouad El-Mohandes and Shweikar, and "Music in the Eastern Neighborhood" featuring Samir Ghanem and Safaa Abu El-Saud. In cinema, he composed music for films such as "Something from Torture," "The Three Madmen," "Beware of Men, Mom," "For Whom the Sun Shines," "The Thief," and "The Last Respectable Man."
Bakar participated in composing music for Ramadan varieties for over 15 years, working with Nelly on "Al-Khatba" and "Umm Al-Aarif," with Sherihan on "Around the World," and with Yehia El-Fakharany on "Occasions." He was also a permanent member of the preparatory committee for the Arab Music Festival and an honorary president of the Musicians' Syndicate.
Artist Nadia Mustafa expressed her condolences via Facebook, saying, "There is no god but Allah, and we only say what pleases Allah... Rest in peace, Professor Helmy, may Allah have mercy on him and grant him heaven... May Allah give patience to his son, siblings, and all his loyal admirers." Moroccan singer Samira Said posted on X platform, "Sad news... The departure of the great musician Helmy Bakar. We have many great successes and countless memories together." Tunisian singer Latifa Al-Arfaoui mourned him, stating, "You are a great school and a significant artistic figure in the whole Arab world... Your body has gone, but your spirit and art will continue to teach generations."
It is noted that his son, businessman Hisham Bakar, who resides in Texas, had revealed in a phone interview on an Egyptian channel just days ago that he received a call from his uncle urging him to come to Egypt quickly, as his father was in his final days due to a decline in health. He also accused his stepmother and her family of removing Helmy Bakar from his home in the Mohandessin area and relocating him to a rural area in Sharqia Governorate. He confirmed that he could not communicate with his father because his current wife had taken his phone and did not allow him to respond to anyone, having taken control over him and made decisions on his behalf.
