Junaid Jamshed, a philanthropist, singer, television personality and an important figure in Pakistan's media industry passed away in an ill- fated plane crash recently. Born in Karachi on Sept 3 1964, Junaid Jamshed was the son of Jamshed Akbar Khan who was a retired officer of the Pakistan Air Force. His mother Nafeesa Akbar Khan was the granddaughter of the Nawab of Loharu state under the British Raj. Junaid had always wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps and join the PAF, but he couldn't fit the bill. He enrolled in the University of Engineering and Technology in Lahore instead and graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1990.
But the universe had different plans for him. From performing at a rock gig in Peshawar University in 1983, to becoming the front man for his university band Nuts and Bolts, until finally claiming his fame as the lead vocalist of Vital Signs, Junaid’s legacy as one of the most significant individuals in the Pakistani music industry is indisputable.
The Vital Signs was fondly referred to as the Beatles of Pakistan and set the bar for pop and rock music in Pakistan. Dil Dil Pakistan, released in 1987, become an anthem that Junaid would acknowledge even as he later severed ties with the music industry.
Vital Signs debut hit single, Dil Dil Pakistan and Tum Mil Gaye, released on 14 August 1987, gave them national fame and prominence.
After a string of chart-topping songs and albums, the band split in 1998 and Jamshed began a solo career, achieving increasing commercial success.
Jamshed released the second solo album, the Us Rah Par in 1999. The album included songs as, Us Rah Par, Na Tu Ayegi, Aankhon Ko Aankhon Ney and O Sanama, were ultimate success and commercial hits of all time.
In 2000, Jamshed released his third album, The Best of Junaid Jamshed, which contained remixes of some of the hit singles of the Vital Signs era. His fourth and last solo album, Dil Ki Baat, was released in 2001, which became highly successful in the country and gained a lot of public and media attention.
Three years after he released his last solo album, Junaid renounced music and decided to devote his life to Islam. However it was career as a breakthrough artist and underground rock musician that shaped his life, career and fame.
His legacy remains through his songs and people will remember him as the voice that made the entire Pakistan groove to his beats and unique style.
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