Neli is a famed persian singer from the 1970s.

Although she was overshadowed by the popularity of Googoosh, Neli was still a major star in her own right.

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Born in 1956 in Tehran, Iran, named "Shamsi Ashtari" (Persian: شمسی اشتری) Known as "Neli" (Persian: نلی) she began her musical career in her teens.

She sang in a very westernized style of persian pop, but still maintained a distinct style with Persian melodies.

Along with her soft and tender voice in both sad ballads and happy pop songs she put herself beside many of then popular singers in Iran (amazingly she even sang a full song with Japanese lyrics).

After only releasing a few albums (most cassettes, but also some vinyls) she quit her music career by moving out to England to complete her studies to become a dentist.

This because of the Islamic Revolution did not permitting her to continue pursuing her musical career.

^[1]She now has a dental clinic in England but still communicates with her fans on her Facebook page.

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