Junoon (Sufi Rock Band) – Complete Biography

Junoon (Urdu: جنون) (meaning “obsession” in Urdu and “madness” in Arabic) is one of Pakistan’s most popular Rock bands, based out of Karachi. It was formed in 1990 by guitarist/songwriter/medical doctor Salman Ahmad.

Stats:

Origin:
Lahore, Karachi, Pakistan

Genre(s):
Sufi Rock, Alternative

Years active:
1990 – Present

Label(s):
EMI: Pakistan
VCI
EMI Arabia
Lips Records
Sadaf Stereo

Members
Salman Ahmad
John Alec
Sameer Chatterjee
Tom France
Sunny Jain
Jeremy Wilms

Former members
Brian O’Connell
Nusrat Hussain
Ali Azmat
Jay Dittamo

Website:
http://www.junoon.com/

History

Junoon has played a major role in bringing the people of India and Pakistan close to one another. When tensions were high after the nuclear explosions in 1998, Junoon’s’ “Yaaron yehi dosti hai” was being played quite enthusiastically across music channels in India which also had a sizeable audience in Pakistan. Junoon’s viewpoints on nuclear tests were loud enough to reach the White House. Their claim that rather than spending billions on nuclear weapons which would basically cause nothing more ruthless destruction, should be spent on spreading the light of education, alleviating poverty and providing good socio-health care conditions to the masses. Junoon was the first band to have played in the troubled state of Kashmir in India in 2008.

Members

- Salman Ahmad (Guitar/Songwriter)
* Founder of the band
* Song Writer/Leader/Lyricist/Guitarist/Pianist/Composer/Co-Producer of the band
* Previously was in Vital Signs, Eclipse, Eastern Winds, The Doctor’s League (pop band)
* Brought up in Rockland County, New York.
* Appeared in the VH1 News Special Islamabad Rock City, a rockumentary on Junoon hosted by Susan Sarandon
* Appeared in the PBS/BBC documentary The Rockstar and the Mullahs in 2003.
* Appeared in the PBS/BBC documentary It’s My Country Too in 2005.
* UN Goodwill Ambassador for HIV/Aids
* Made two appearances on Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher in 2001.
* Currently teaches a course on Islamic Music at the City University of New York’s Queens College campus and is involved with QC professor Dr. Mark Rosenblum’s efforts to bring Jewish and Muslim students together through shared cultural and musical experiences.
* Performed at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremonies in 2008, headlining the event with famous stars such as Kylie Minogue, Annie Lennox, Umma Thurman and Kevin Spacey.

- Ali Azmat (Lead Vocalist)
* Previously was in Jupiters.
* An icon of angry youth, he commands a wide range of vocals.

- Brian O’Connell (Bass)
* A U.S. citizen by origin who eventually called Pakistan his home[citation needed].
* Was friends with Salman Ahmad long before Junoon was formed.
* Joined the band during the second album Talaash in 1992.
* Responsible for harmonizing the western 5-string bass riffs with the traditional tabla and drums.
* Was married toPakistani actress and model Ayeshah Alam

- Shehryar Ahmad (Band Manager)
* Pakistani-American, born in London, England
* Attended University of California, Los Angeles
* Trained as an investment banker with JP Morgan at their 23 Wall Street office
* Designed www.junoon.com as the first Pakistani music website[citation needed]
* Joined the band to release the Azadi album, negotiating the band’s first international record deal with EMI World.
* Arranged Junoon’s first international tour of the US, UK, Europe, the Middle East, Japan, China and India.
* Negotiated largest endorsement contract with Coke in 2003.
* Announced departure from the band in 2005 to join BMA Capital, an investment bank.

- John Alec (Producer/Bassist)
* Mixed and produced Azadi, Parvaaz, Ishq, Daur-e-Junoon, and Deewar
* Childhood friend of founder Salman Ahmad
* Owns J.A. Studios in New York
* Started playing bass for Junoon after Brian’s departure from the band

- Nusrat Hussain (Keyboards)
* Was previously with the band Vital Signs.
* Was part of Junoon only during the debut album.
* Was the voice behind the first composition and hit ‘Khawab’.
* Went on to release a solo album in 1992.
* Is a pilot for Pakistan International Airlines.

DISCOGRAPHY

- Junoon (Obsession)
* Released: 1991
* Singles: “Khaub”, “Neend Aati Nahin”, “Heer”
* Label: EMI: Pakistan

- Talaash (The Search)
* Released: 1993
* Singles: “Bheegi Yaadein”, “Jazba-E-Junoon”, “Talaash”
* Label: EMI: Pakistan

- Kashmakash (Struggle)
* Released: 1995
* Singles: “Mujhay Insaf Do”, “Husan Walo”, “Saeein”
* Label: VCI Records

- Inquilaab (Revolution)
* Released: 1996
* Singles: “Dosti”,”Rooh Ki Pyas”, “Mein Kaun Hoon”
* Label: VCI Records

- Azadi (Freedom)
* Released: 1997
* Singles: “Khudi”, “Meri Awaz Suno”, “Sayonee”, “Yaar Bina”
* Label: EMI Arabia / VCI

- Parvaaz (The Flight)
* Released: 1999
* Singles: “Bulleya”,”Ghoom”, “Mitti”, “Sajna”, “Sanwal”
* Label: EMI Arabia / Lips Records

- Millennium 1990-2000
* Released: 2000
* Singles: “Azadi”, “Muk Gaye Nay”, “Allah Hu (Live)”
* Label: Lips Records

- Ishq (Love)

* Released: 2001
* Singles: “Chal Kuriye”,”Chaen”, “Ishq”
* Label: Lips Records

- Daur-e-Junoon (The Era of Junoon)
* Released: 2002
* Singles: “Garaj Baras” Live Songs: “Heer Alap”, “Sayonee”, “Jazba 2002″
* Label: Sadaf Stereo

- Junoon for Peace
* Released: 2002
* Singles: “No More”, “Khudi”, “Bulleya”
* Label: Nameless Music

- Dewaar (The Wall)
* Released: 2003
* Singles: “Deewar”,”Baarish”, “Garaj Baras”, “Yeh Maza Zindagi Ka”, “Hungama”
* Label: Sadaf Stereo

Trivia
* Junoon expressed interest in singing with Morten Harket, vocalist of the Norwegian band a-ha. Morten Harket and Junoon teamed up for a duet in 2001.
* Junoon has also sung a cover of the Morten Harket song ” Holy Ground “.
* Salman who is the UN Goodwill ambassador for HIV Aids, was invited once again recently to perform at the UN General Assembly Hall with Richard Gere, Whoopi Goldberg, Naomi Watts, Wyclef Jean (from the Fugees) and Jackie Chan in 2006.
* On December 11, 2007, Junoon performed on the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo, Norway together with a variety of artists, which was broadcast live to over 100 countries.

Vital Signs – Band’s Complete Biography

Vital Signs was Pakistan’s first widely known pop band and were given the title of “pioneers of pop music. The original line up consisted of Junaid Jamshed on vocals, Rohail Hyatt on keyboards, Shehzad Hassan on bass and Nusrat Hussain on keyboards as well. They were extremely popular and produced four very successful albums.

Stats:

Origin:
Rawalpindi, Pakistan

Genre(s):
Pop rock
Folk rock

Years active:
1987 – 1995

Label(s)
EMI: Pakistan
VCI

Members
Junaid Jamshed
Rohail Hyatt
Shehzad Hasan

Former members
Nusrat Hussain
Salman Ahmad
Rizwan-ul-Haq
Aamir Zaki

History:

The band shot to instant fame with their 1987 patriotic song Dil Dil Pakistan, which was voted the 3rd most popular song of all time by BBC World.

Soon after, Nusrat Hussain parted ways with the band to make way for guitarist Salman Ahmad. They released their successful debut album in 1989 along with TV producer Shoaib Mansoor who also wrote the lyrics for the band. In 1990, Salman Ahmad left the band, and was replaced by guitarist Rizwan-ul-Haq.

After Rizwan-ul-Haq joined the band Vital Signs released Vital Signs 2, the follow up to their debut album in 1991 which was a departure from the band’s rosy imagery and sound.

In 1993, Vital Signs began work on their third album in Rohail Hyatt’s studios in Rawalpindi. A few months later they released the album Aitebar, which soon outsold its predecessor, Vital Signs 2. On Aitebar, the Vital Signs returned to the upbeat mood of their first album. After performing a number of concerts managed by Rohails brother, the group headed out with director Shoaib Mansoor to film Guitar ‘93, a Pepsi-financed venture featuring videos shot all across Pakistan.

During 1995, Vital Signs began work on their fourth album. Vital Signs asked Assad Ahmed (then Awaz and current Karavan) to play on the new album. The album was titled Hum Tum. Producer Rohail Hyatt improved on the moody Pink Floydian sound and production he first attempted on 1991’s Vital Signs 2.

After the release of Hum Tum, the band concentrated on their personal projects and Vital Signs drifted away. Junaid Jamshed went on to pursue a career as a solo singer, Shehzad Hasan concentrated on his work as a music producer and Rohail Hyatt formed a production company.

Members:

Rohail Hyatt (Keyboards / Guitars)
* Produced all the Vital Signs albums
* Later formed a production house called Pyramid Productions
* Composed and produced the number one hit track Jiya Dhadak Jaye sung by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan
* Is regarded as one of the finest Music producers in Pakistan

Junaid Jamshed (Vocals)
* Released three solo albums after Vital Signs’ fourth album, all produced by Shoaib Mansoor.
* Announced that he would not perform or make any more music several times due to his religious commitments.
* Owner of a successful fashion label in Pakistan.
* Has now left the music and went in islamic teachings

Shehzad Hasan (Bass)
* Worked with India’s Pooja Bhatt on her movie Paap.
* Produced the critically acclaimed album Sawal by Rushk

Discography

Regular Studio Albums (Album information)

Vital Signs 1
* Released: 1989
* Singles: “Dil Dil Pakistan”, “Chehra”
* Label: EMI: Pakistan

Vital Signs 2
* Released: 1991
* Singles: “Rahi”, “Yaad Ker Na”
* Label: EMI: Pakistan

Aitebar
* Released: 1993
* Singles: “Woh Kon Thee”, “Teray Liyay”, “Challa”

Hum Tum
* Released: 1995
* Singles: “Hum Tum”, “Un Ka Khayal”, “Yehi Zameen”
* Label: VCI