mark61
02-06-08, 17:45
Junoon featuring Salman Ahmad: The U2 of the Muslim World
http://he3.magnatune.com/artists/img/junoon3.jpg
Junoon is the Urdu word for "obsession" and is also is one of South Asia's most popular rock bands. Based out of Karachi, Pakistan, Junoon was formed in 1990 by guitarist/songwriter/medical doctor Salman Ahmad. The band, described by its members as a "Sufi rock band," is considered as one of the most successful in the history of South Asia.
The name "Junoon" came to lead guitarist Salman Ahmad in a dream. In the dream, his teacher was shaking him and saying, "Tumhey mousiqui ka Junoon hai!" (meaning "You have an obsession for music!"). Shortly thereafter, he formed Junoon with other two friends, Ali Azmat and Brian O'Connell.
Junoon's cult following began with the band's album Talaash ("the quest"), and was expanded to a national then international following with releases such as Azadi ("freedom") and Inquilaab ("revolution"). While most Pakistani performers relied on sampling and highly programmed synth pop, Junoon was one of the first in Pakistan that insisted on playing real, live music. Heavily influenced by rock bands like Led Zeppelin, Junoon aimed at combining loud guitar riffs with the epic tranquility of sufi poetry by the likes of Maulana Rumi, Allama Iqbal and Baba Bulleh Shah.
Success came with its attendant challenges. As they tried to defy traditions in a conservative country like Pakistan, Junoon's politically influenced songs were often subject to censorship, which led to the eventual ban from all state run television and radio during the rule of former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
Despite these difficulties, in 1998, the band took both Pakistan and India by storm with their hit single "Sayonee" from the album Azadi ("freedom"), their tremendously successful fourth studio album, initially released by EMI. In 1999, Junoon released their fifth studio album Parvaaz ("the flight"), based on the poetry of Baba Bulleh Shah. Parvaaz was recorded and mixed at Abbey Road Studios in London and was hailed by critics as Junoon's finest work to date. Junoon won the award of "Best International Group" at the Channel V Music Awards in New Delhi, India in November 1999, where they peformed with Sting, Def Leppard, and Prodigy.
In 1999, UNESCO invited Junoon to perform at their Millennium Peace concert in Paris, which drew an audience of dignitaries from around the world including the heads of the European union and ambassadors from 170 countries. Junoon performed with an aim toward promoting peace and was apparently a hit among many present including Ray Charles, Lionel Richie, Dr. K.J. Yesudas, Montserrat Caballe, and Zubin Mehta. Famous actors Gregory Peck, Sidney Poitier, and Peter Ustinov were the masters of ceremony for the event.
In 2003, Salman Ahmad was appointed Goodwill Ambassador by the United Nations, attending a Special Session of the UN General Assembly. Following the 9/11 attacks, Junoon helped to organise a concert at the General Assembly on UN Day with Junoon performing at the actual Assembly Hall, the first such performance of its kind. They also released the single "No More," a song which deals directly with the violence perpetrated on that day.
Junoon is arguably the most successful Pakistani musical group in history and has toured extensively around the world, including a performance at the renowned European rock festival, Roskilde, in June 2000, where they shared the stage with Pearl Jam, Iron Maiden, Travis, and Queensryche.
Junoon's controversial single "Pappu Yaar" is known for having shot to the #1 spot in Pakistan. In fact, Junoon's issue oriented music has also helped to keep spirits high amidst deepening social woes on the international stage. Songs like "Jazba-E-Junoon," "Sayonee," "Talaash," "Main kaun hun" are issue oriented yet poetic and try to take a big picture view of humankind and its place in the world. As a result, Junoon is often mentioned in the same sphere as Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan or Lata Mangeshkar, yet this rather erudite side did not prevent it from captivating Pakistani youth for well over ten years.
In their career, Junoon is particularly proud of having played an active role in bringing the people of India and Pakistan together. When tensions were high after the nuclear explosions in 1998, Junoon's' single "Yaaron yehi dosti hai" was played enthusiastically across many music channels in India which also found a sizeable audience in Pakistan. Junoon's viewpoints on nuclear testing were even loud enough to reach the White House, and continue to find a foothold in the global exchange of ideas today.
In 2005, Brian O'Connell returned to his native New York. Pakistani musician Mekal Hassan and the band's producer John Alec have been playing bass guitar for live shows in his place. A reunion concert took place in Dubai, UAE in March 2006.
http://magnatune.com/artists/junoon
http://www.junoon.com/
http://he3.magnatune.com/artists/img/junoon3.jpg
Junoon is the Urdu word for "obsession" and is also is one of South Asia's most popular rock bands. Based out of Karachi, Pakistan, Junoon was formed in 1990 by guitarist/songwriter/medical doctor Salman Ahmad. The band, described by its members as a "Sufi rock band," is considered as one of the most successful in the history of South Asia.
The name "Junoon" came to lead guitarist Salman Ahmad in a dream. In the dream, his teacher was shaking him and saying, "Tumhey mousiqui ka Junoon hai!" (meaning "You have an obsession for music!"). Shortly thereafter, he formed Junoon with other two friends, Ali Azmat and Brian O'Connell.
Junoon's cult following began with the band's album Talaash ("the quest"), and was expanded to a national then international following with releases such as Azadi ("freedom") and Inquilaab ("revolution"). While most Pakistani performers relied on sampling and highly programmed synth pop, Junoon was one of the first in Pakistan that insisted on playing real, live music. Heavily influenced by rock bands like Led Zeppelin, Junoon aimed at combining loud guitar riffs with the epic tranquility of sufi poetry by the likes of Maulana Rumi, Allama Iqbal and Baba Bulleh Shah.
Success came with its attendant challenges. As they tried to defy traditions in a conservative country like Pakistan, Junoon's politically influenced songs were often subject to censorship, which led to the eventual ban from all state run television and radio during the rule of former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
Despite these difficulties, in 1998, the band took both Pakistan and India by storm with their hit single "Sayonee" from the album Azadi ("freedom"), their tremendously successful fourth studio album, initially released by EMI. In 1999, Junoon released their fifth studio album Parvaaz ("the flight"), based on the poetry of Baba Bulleh Shah. Parvaaz was recorded and mixed at Abbey Road Studios in London and was hailed by critics as Junoon's finest work to date. Junoon won the award of "Best International Group" at the Channel V Music Awards in New Delhi, India in November 1999, where they peformed with Sting, Def Leppard, and Prodigy.
In 1999, UNESCO invited Junoon to perform at their Millennium Peace concert in Paris, which drew an audience of dignitaries from around the world including the heads of the European union and ambassadors from 170 countries. Junoon performed with an aim toward promoting peace and was apparently a hit among many present including Ray Charles, Lionel Richie, Dr. K.J. Yesudas, Montserrat Caballe, and Zubin Mehta. Famous actors Gregory Peck, Sidney Poitier, and Peter Ustinov were the masters of ceremony for the event.
In 2003, Salman Ahmad was appointed Goodwill Ambassador by the United Nations, attending a Special Session of the UN General Assembly. Following the 9/11 attacks, Junoon helped to organise a concert at the General Assembly on UN Day with Junoon performing at the actual Assembly Hall, the first such performance of its kind. They also released the single "No More," a song which deals directly with the violence perpetrated on that day.
Junoon is arguably the most successful Pakistani musical group in history and has toured extensively around the world, including a performance at the renowned European rock festival, Roskilde, in June 2000, where they shared the stage with Pearl Jam, Iron Maiden, Travis, and Queensryche.
Junoon's controversial single "Pappu Yaar" is known for having shot to the #1 spot in Pakistan. In fact, Junoon's issue oriented music has also helped to keep spirits high amidst deepening social woes on the international stage. Songs like "Jazba-E-Junoon," "Sayonee," "Talaash," "Main kaun hun" are issue oriented yet poetic and try to take a big picture view of humankind and its place in the world. As a result, Junoon is often mentioned in the same sphere as Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan or Lata Mangeshkar, yet this rather erudite side did not prevent it from captivating Pakistani youth for well over ten years.
In their career, Junoon is particularly proud of having played an active role in bringing the people of India and Pakistan together. When tensions were high after the nuclear explosions in 1998, Junoon's' single "Yaaron yehi dosti hai" was played enthusiastically across many music channels in India which also found a sizeable audience in Pakistan. Junoon's viewpoints on nuclear testing were even loud enough to reach the White House, and continue to find a foothold in the global exchange of ideas today.
In 2005, Brian O'Connell returned to his native New York. Pakistani musician Mekal Hassan and the band's producer John Alec have been playing bass guitar for live shows in his place. A reunion concert took place in Dubai, UAE in March 2006.
http://magnatune.com/artists/junoon
http://www.junoon.com/