Omar Khorshid (1945–1981) was an Egyptian guitarist, composer, and actor celebrated for pioneering the fusion of traditional Arabic music with Western rock and surf guitar styles. Emerging from Cairo’s vibrant 1960s music scene, he performed with legends such as Umm Kulthum and Abdel Halim Hafez, later leading his own bands across the Middle East. Renowned for his expressive electric guitar tone and innovative phrasing, Khorshid helped modernize Arabic music and influenced generations of musicians with his bold cross‑cultural sound.