Armenian music legend Hayko has died of Covid-19 at the age of 48.

The chief of staff at Yerevan State Medical University confirmed the news on September 29.

The singer last updated his Instagram account on 6 September. It showed him inside a restaurant where he’d just delivered a live performance. He used the hashtag #bestmoments.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Hayko (@hayko_hakobyan_official)

In 2007, Hayko became Armenia’s second-ever Eurovision entrant when he sang “Anytime You Need”, finishing in eighth place. The dramatic ballad conveyed his devotion to his beloved, whose tears he said he would always wipe away.

With his passing, the opening lyrics now have a haunting quality: “Why, baby, tell me why does someone always say goodbye?”

The Top 10 finish was but one of many achievements in his storied career, which also included being named Best Singer at the Armenian National Music Awards in 2003 and 2006.

Hayko maintained a close relationship to the world of Eurovision, serving as a judge on the 2017 national selection show Depi Evratesil.

There have been more than 260,000 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Armenia since the start of the pandemic. More than 5,000 people have lost their lives, while more than 240,000 have recovered.

Our thoughts are with Hayko’s friends, family and fans as they grieve their loss and celebrate his musical legacy.

46 Comments
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Jay
Jay
2 years ago

So nobody dies of anything else, only covid? I very much doubt the high tally of deaths were related to covid

Jonas
Jonas
2 years ago
Reply to  Jay

This article is about Hayko, not your dangerous ignorance. You clearly know nothing about the situation in Armenia.

Bird Lover
Bird Lover
2 years ago

Very sad but covid alone did not kill him. RIP nontheless

Jay
Jay
2 years ago
Reply to  Bird Lover

Agreed. Flu or similar doesn’t

Robert
Robert
2 years ago
Reply to  Jay

Flu killed my sister in 2015 causing her heart to shut down. So shut up.

Asf
Asf
2 years ago
Reply to  Robert

RIP

Héctor
Héctor
2 years ago

So unexpected. RIP

TheDr Mistery
TheDr Mistery
2 years ago

That’s a terrible news. Well-deserved top 10 placing, he had something in him that prevented that performance from being full of pathos but remained emotional. Such a young person… [*]

There is a light guiding my way
There is a light guiding my way
2 years ago

His Eurovision performance is one of my first Eurovision memories, as the 2007’s contest was the first Eurovision I saw…. I still remember as if it was yesterday, how my 8 y.o. self got really scared when the blood showed up on his shirt… : (
I hate this virus.

Last edited 2 years ago by There is a light guiding my way
Roo
Roo
2 years ago

Sad news indeed. Sorry to hear about this.

Jimmy
Jimmy
2 years ago

Really sad news. Love and condolences .

Ern
Ern
2 years ago

Oh no!

Did he have any underlying conditions? He wasn’t even 50.

Giorgio
Giorgio
2 years ago
Reply to  Ern

No.

Agent 007
Agent 007
2 years ago
Reply to  Giorgio

He had cancer

Bird Lover
Bird Lover
2 years ago
Reply to  Agent 007

and the headline wants to act like the covid killed him

CyxCy
CyxCy
2 years ago

Too young. It’s so sad.
Puisse-t-il trouver la paix, toutes mes condoléances à sa famille, ses amis et tous ceux qui l’aimaient.

Miss Uncongeniality
Miss Uncongeniality
2 years ago

What a sad news. I loved his eurovision entry. RIP

Karl Fradgley
Karl Fradgley
2 years ago

Very sad – I loved his entry and he had a beautiful voice

Shuma
Shuma
2 years ago

Very sad news. Will always remember him as the one who brought a tree with toilet paper to Eurovision

That’s not a diss, it was one of those quirky gimmicks/props, that I loved about the 00’s

Hayko you will be missed 🙁

Ron
Ron
2 years ago
Reply to  Shuma

It may have looked like toilet paper but it’s called “tree of wishes”. In ancient Armenia people used to write their wishes/dreams on a piece of paper and tie it the tree branches. It was a subtle homage to a beautiful cultural practice.

Agent 007
Agent 007
2 years ago
Reply to  Ron

Not only ancient times. You can see such trees near monasteries. Now there is no practice of writing wishes, just tying handkierchiefs to branches.

Bird Lover
Bird Lover
2 years ago
Reply to  Ron

looooool cmon youre looking way too deep into things

Ron
Ron
2 years ago
Reply to  Bird Lover

What do you mean? The Armenian stage designer is the one who said this – I didn’t come up with it from my a** lol.

Ria van de Velde
Ria van de Velde
2 years ago

What a sad news. My deepest condoleances to his family, friends and fans. I loved his Eurovision song very much. R.I.P. Hayko

Maya G
Maya G
2 years ago

So sad. He will be remembered.

Joe
Joe
2 years ago

He sent a song good enough to even get 12 points from Turkey. RIP. Stay safe guys.

Sot
Sot
2 years ago

Oh my God! He was so young, even though the song he got was weak imo he delivered it so well on stage!! What a talent he was, condolences to his family…

L’oiseau
L’oiseau
2 years ago

RIP! What a sad loss! Let this be a reminder that people should get vaccinated, if they can! Armenian full vaccination rate is short of 5%… This is shameful.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
2 years ago

Oh, that’s a genuine shock. Such a solid performer is what I recall. I thought he would have many years left. RIP 🙁

Jonas
Jonas
2 years ago

Be careful, people.

Bird Lover
Bird Lover
2 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

he had cancer..

Jonas
Jonas
2 years ago
Reply to  Bird Lover

He seemed fine on 6th September.

Crystal
2 years ago

You have a slight error: both the statement you linked to in the article and his Wikipedia article state he was 48 years old, not 44.

With that said, it’s always sad when we lose a performer, and this pandemic has taken a lot of people at way too young an age. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones.

Aeria
Aeria
2 years ago

The weird part is how people still consider Covid a mere fever
(RIP to this guy of course)

Bird Lover
Bird Lover
2 years ago
Reply to  Aeria

he had cancer..

Thanos
Thanos
2 years ago

RIP! I hope this pandemic can quickly end!

Last edited 2 years ago by Thanos
Alvaro
Alvaro
2 years ago

RIP, my condolences and wishes for strength to his loved ones in such difficult times.

Alvaro
Alvaro
2 years ago

RIP, my condolences and wishes for lots of strength to his loved ones in such difficult times.

Totorino
Totorino
2 years ago

I believe Hayko and Reyneart (Belgium 1988) are the only 2 artists from Eurovision that have died from COVID-19…correct me if I’m wrong.

Nonetheless, a sad death and a reminder that this virus doesn’t discriminate!

RIP

Colin
Colin
2 years ago
Reply to  Totorino

Sanja Ilic (Serbia 2018) died from Covid-19 as well.

Sot
Sot
2 years ago
Reply to  Colin

Didn’t the Belgian artist from 1968 also pass away due to covid? not sure tbh

Branko86
Branko86
2 years ago
Reply to  Totorino

Maggie Mae (Germany NF 1975 + 1976) died also from COVID-19.

Noel
Noel
2 years ago

May he rest in peace and I am so sorry for hearing he passed away

meri
meri
2 years ago

RIP, Hayko!!

Colin
Colin
2 years ago

Uff… damn Covid. Another talented person gone. 44 is way too young to die. As for his 2007 song, not that it should matter, but I really like it. Sending my condolences to his friends and family.

Nikos
Nikos
2 years ago

So sad , Great song, Great singer, a really sad loss, sympathies to family, freinds, and nation.

Last edited 2 years ago by Nikos