Exile and Life in the United States
The 1979 Iranian Revolution drastically altered the country’s cultural landscape. Music, especially that associated with pre-revolutionary institutions like radio and television, came under heavy restrictions. Many musicians faced censorship or persecution, and a significant number left Iran.
Houshmand Aghili had immigrated to the United States in 1977, a year before the revolution. Settling in Los Angeles, he joined the burgeoning community of Iranian exiles who would turn the city into the heart of the Iranian diaspora.
In Los Angeles—often referred to as “Tehrangeles”—Aghili found both challenges and opportunities. The exile environment provided freedom from censorship, but the commercial pressures of the diaspora music industry often favored pop music over classical traditions. Despite this, Aghili remained committed to his art. He gave concerts for Iranian cultural associations, collaborated with traditional ensembles, and recorded works that preserved the legacy of Persian classical music.
For many exiled Iranians, Aghili’s voice became a nostalgic link to pre-revolutionary Iran, reminding them of a cultural heritage that was increasingly difficult to access back home.
