Hundreds mourn Lebanese diva Sabah

In this 1987 photo, Lebanese singer and actress Sabah whose real name is Jeanette Feghali, an icon of Arab music, sings during a performance at a Lebanese restaurant, in Beirut. Sabah, died Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2014 morning at age 87, the Lebanese National News Agency reported, without offering a cause of death. Her health had been declining in recent years. (AP Photo/Stavro Jabra) In this 1987 photo, Lebanese singer and actress Sabah whose real name is Jeanette Feghali, an icon of Arab music, sings during a performance at a Lebanese restaurant, in Beirut. Sabah, died Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2014 morning at age 87, the Lebanese National News Agency reported, without offering a cause of death. Her health had been declining in recent years. (AP Photo/Stavro Jabra)

By Associated Press November 30, 2014 1 min read

BEIRUT (AP) – Hundreds of mourners are attending the funeral of the beloved Lebanese singer, actress and entertainer Sabah.

The crowd is gathering at St. George Cathedral in downtown Beirut to pay tribute at Sunday’s funeral Mass to the famed diva, who died Wednesday at the age of 87.

The daylong proceedings have taken on a festive air as friends, relatives and fans celebrate Sabah’s storied and taboo-breaking six-decade career. Earlier in the day, traditional dancers performed to the singer’s songs played from loudspeakers.

A peroxide-blonde with a powerful voice and playful character, Sabah was in at least 25 plays, four radio musicals, 85 films and sang 3,000 songs. Her real name was Jeanette Feghali.