Pakistan has always been known for two things, producing exceptional fast bowlers and music. Music is in our blood, it cannot be faded away or eliminated even the time passes on. Pakistani musicians spread the love of music all over the world even in the neighboring country as well. One such name is “Junoon”.
During the rise of Pakistani pop bands, one band emerged from the dark side and gave another fusion of music with the involvement of Sufism. A band who came out as a revolutionary to create a difference through their music and became popular all over the world. Pakistan’s first-ever Rock Pop Band “Junoon”, includes Salman Ahmed, Ali Azmat, and Brian O’Connell.
There’s no doubt in admitting that Junoon was Pakistan’s and one of South Asia’s most successful bands. Even though at some point the band split up in such a bad way that no one saw it coming and even both of the main men Ali Azmat and Salman Ahmed bashed each other on various occasions too.
The ride won’t be easy, so buckle up because let’s get the tour of the Junoon world Pakistan’s Sufi Rock Band.
Early
The band was founded in 1990 by the lead guitarist and songwriter Salman Ahmed soon Ali Azmat and other members joined him. They were the pioneers of Sufi rock at that time. The name Junoon hit him when his teacher once said, “Tumhey mousiqui ka Junoon hai!”. Just like other bands, Junoon also had to suffer and struggle a lot in their initial years.
Their first-ever album “Junoon” was recorded at EMI Studio in Karachi and released which created not enough impression on the Pakistani music industry. Initially, Nusrat Hussain was also part of the Junoon band but after the debut album, he parted ways to start his solo career.
Right after the departure of Nusrat, Salman contacted Brian and he without wasting any time arrived in Karachi. Brian left his job as a social worker and traveled to Karachi. He joined the Junoon band for their second album.
1992 was the year for them, as they recorded their second album meanwhile they also featured in a Television series Talaash, directed by Atiqa Odho and written by Anwar Maqsood, based on the true story of the band.
The band members acted themselves and due to its rock-solid story, it became one of the popular series in Pakistan.
Next year in 1993, Junoon released their second album “Talaash” in which the single song Talaash also became under the banner of the censorship board as it was politically influenced. This band and that song led them to an eventual ban.
Rise Of Junoon
From 1994 to 97 these years were the Junoon’s rising ones which made them popular throughout the world. In 1993 they started working on their third album and then next year they released their first compilation album.
Junoon also became the first band to launch its website in Pakistan in 1995. That very year, Junoon also faced court trial for their controversial music video Ehtesaab which indicates corrupt Pakistani politicians and many assumed that they are targeting Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto at that time.
Soon after the video came out government took immediate action against it and banned it from state television. Inquilaab the third album of the band which was a mixer of Western and Sufism that became famous all over the world.
One of the songs Jazba-e-Junoon also became the signature song of the Cricket World Cup. Inquilaab was their major success, it led them to start their full tours and right at that moment, they started spreading their rhythm.
From the United States to Birmingham every country, state they went to. In September 1997, Junoon released their fourth studio album, Azadi, which became the first international band deal for them as their manager, Shehryar Ahmad, secured a deal with EMI/Virgin Records which released Azadi as Junoon’s debut album in India.
Within three weeks in India, the album had sold over a million copies in India alone and hit the platinum in sales record.
As people were enjoying the Azaadi album, Junoon was called at Zee Cine Awards to perform and it was their first time to be in India. The awards the Bollywood industry gave them bring a round of applause, it also led to their first band tour of India as after that they went on.
India’s tour brought them another ban in Pakistan as Salman Ahmed talked about both countries and Junoon again charged for the national opinion on the nuclear tests”.
All comes to an end
The success continued till 2004 because in 2005 the trio was last seen together in Deewar album and right after the release of the album Brian O’Connell left for the US. Things weren’t good between them the same year Ali Azmat also decided to go for his solo career and the same year he released his debut album Social Circus.
Salman Ahmed also released his solo album and he also joined hands with Imran Khan later on too. Although after saying goodbye to the Junoon, Salman Ahmed brought back the late Junaid Jamshed to the music where he has sung Naya Pakistan a patriotic song.
After long 13 years, Junoon united in August 2018 where Brian, Ali Azmat and Salman Ahmed trio came together for the new music video Khudi.
There Junoon reemerged and began their tours again. Junoon has given us some iconic songs that no one can ever forget. Whenever you listen to the guitar of Sayonee it gives goosebumps and rushes into the veins.
