Junoon
Encyclopedia
Junoon is a sufi rock
band from Lahore
, Punjab, Pakistan
, formed in 1990. The band is directed by founder, lead guitarist and songwriter, Salman Ahmad
, who was soon joined by keyboardist Nusrat Hussain
and vocalist Ali Azmat
. Junoon is Pakistan's most successful band; the Q magazine regarded them as "One of the biggest bands in the world" and The New York Times
called Junoon "the U2
of Pakistan". Since their inception, the group has released a collective total of seventeen albums: seven studio albums; one soundtrack; two live albums; four video albums; and three compilations. Junoon is also South Asia's most successful band of all time with more than 30 million albums sold worldwide.
Pioneers of sufi rock
, with such an original sound they achieved success during the early 1990s. Its members were signed to major record label EMI Records
and afterwards released their self-titled debut album Junoon in 1991. After two years, the band recorded their second album Talaash
(1993) with their new bassist Brian O'Connell
after Nusrat Hussain
left the band. The release of their second album began to create a cult following for the band. In 1996, Junoon released their third album Inquilaab
, and it was only then that Junoon developed a nationwide fan following, with blending rock guitars and bluesy vocals with eastern elements like the use of tabla
s, raga-inspired melodies, traditional Pakistani folk music
, and Eastern inspired poetry. The following year, the band recorded the critically acclaimed Azadi
(1997), being the band's first international record deal, and making it Junoon's debut album in India
. The band went on to record and release Parvaaz
in 1999. The band found renewed success and popularity starting with 2001's Andaz
and through 2003's Dewaar
and their supporting tours.
After the release of their seventh studio album, vocalist Ali Azmat and lead guitarist Salman Ahmad went on to pursue a career as a solo singer, while bassist Brian O' Connell returned to his native United States
. Although Junoon's two other members, Ali Azmat and Brain O'Connell, left the band in 2005, Salman Ahmad continues to perform as a solo artist under the "Junoon" label and has moved to New York. In 2010, Junoon released the soundtrack album Rock & Roll Jihad
based on Salman Ahmad and Junoon's musical journey throughout the years.
, in the 1970s. Salman Ahmad
left Lahore
, Pakistan
, for New York with his family when he was eleven, and received his baptism in rock music
when a friend offered him a ticket to a Led Zeppelin
concert. Salman Ahmad was so enthralled by the show that he saved $235 to buy his own electric guitar
. He also befriended Brian O'Connell
in Tappan, another young aspiring musician, with whom Ahmad formed their first band together by the name of "Eclipse". Before the two friends could take their aspirations out of the basement and onto a bigger stage, Salman Ahmad's parents moved back to Pakistan in 1981, and Salman began to study medicine at Lahore's King Edward's Medical College.
In 1987, Nusrat Hussain
, by then the lead guitarist of the band Vital Signs
, after composing the song "Dil Dil Pakistan
" parted ways with Vital Signs and suggested Rohail Hyatt
, founder and keyboardist of Vital Signs, to bring Salman Ahmad
as his replacement in the band. Vital Signs then went on to record their debut album at the EMI Studios in Karachi
, but almost all the songs were written and composed at Salman Ahmad's residence where the band had been lodged. In March 1989, the band released their debut album, Vital Signs 1
, which was a success throughout the country. The following year, Salman Ahmad parted ways with the most successful pop band of Pakistan
as he wanted a change in the band's music for their second album and therefore after leaving the band he went on to form his own band. First, he recruited singer Ali Azmat
from the Jupiters
and then the former Vital Signs lead guitarist, Nusrat Hussain, on keyboards.
barely made a dent in the Pakistani music industry when released in September 1991. After the release of their debut album, Nusrat Hussain parted ways with the band to pursue his own career as a solo singer and went on to release his debut solo album Amrit
in 1992.
After the departure of Nusrat Hussain, Salman Ahmad contacted Brian O'Connell
and invited him to play bass on the band's second album. Brian O'Connell quit his job as a social worker and traveled 10,000 miles to Karachi
, Pakistan
, where he reunited with his old friend. It was after ten years both the friends reunited. In 1992, the band started working on their second studio album
. The album was recorded and mixed at Tahir Gul Hasan's Sound On Sound recording studios in Karachi. While working on their second album at one side, on the other hand the band also featured in a television series, Talaash
, directed by Atiqa Odho
and written by Anwar Maqsood
, based on the true story of the band in which the band members acted themselves and due to its novel storyline it became an extremely popular television series in Pakistan. The television series were aired on PTV
.
On September 23, 1993, Junoon released their second album Talaash
which began to create a cult of a following for the band. Singles from the album, such as "Talaash
", were politically influenced and became subject to censorship, which led to the eventual ban from all state run television and radio during the rule of by then the Pakistani Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif
.
, which is believed to be the very first compilation album by a band in Pakistan
. Junoon were courted for the controversial video release of the single "Ehtesaab
", from Kashmakash, which included footage of a polo pony eating in a posh restaurant. Many thought that the image was an indictment of the corrupt Pakistan
i political elite, and especially of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto
. The government quickly responded to it and banned the song and video from the state television. In 1996, the band released their third studio album, Inquilaab
, which was recorded and engineered with a completely new sound at Aamir Hasan Studios, Inquilaab
was a blend of western music with classical eastern sufi music. It was the release of their third album when Junoon started to gain success and began to reach a wider audience when one of their singles, "Jazba-e-Junoon
", became the signature song of the Cricket World Cup
.
Following the success of their third album release, the following year Junoon went on their first full-scale tour of the United States
, performing from Birmingham, Alabama
, to Los Angeles
where they appeared at the House of Blues
and from there to New York's Roosevelt Hotel
, which featured in Newsweek Magazine. They also went on tour to Canada
and the UAE through which Junoon's fame grew rapidly. In September 1997, Junoon released their fourth studio album, Azadi
, which was the band's first international record deal after the band manager, Shehryar Ahmad, secured a deal with EMI
/Virgin Records
and making it their debut album in India
. Within three months of the release of Azadi, the album had sold over half a million copies and hit platinum sales status in a record of four weeks. The music video of the first single, "Sayonee
", was shot by Asim Reza which became an instant hit in South Asia
and the Middle East
, shooting to the top of all the Asian charts, and staying at #1 on both Channel V
and MTV Asia for over two months.
Later that year, Junoon went on their first Indian tour. The band's first concert was held in New Delhi
, India
. After traveling throughout the country, Junoon saw crowds of as many as of 50,000 fans at different venues. The band was courted for a controversy during their tour to India by the Pakistani government. The Indian government was testing nuclear devices at that time, and Salman Ahmad
suggested that the Indian and Pakistani leaders should spend more on education and health and less on weapons. This led to a prolonged ban on Junoon's music by the Pakistani government. PTV
, the Pakistan state television, refused to show the audience even clips from Junoon releases. The Ministry of Culture charged Junoon with making comments in India amounting to sedition and treason. The band members denied these charges, reminding people of the fact that they had been victimised since the release of "Ehtesaab" because they chose to speak out against political corruption.
, where they performed along with world-wide icons Sting, The Prodigy
and Def Leppard
. Azadi was nominated for "Best International Album", having achieved the prestigious honour of being the highest selling album in Pakistan
, Bangladesh
and India
that year. In March, Zee TV
invited Junoon to perform at the star-studded Zee Cine Awards
in Mumbai
, where the group received accolades from the crème de la crème of India's entertainment industry. On August 9, Junoon performed at the Central Park
in New York
, this concert was one of most famous concerts done by the band. Junoon then went on to perform at the BBC Mega Mela
, which is the largest South Asian festival outside of South Asia
, held in London
, England
. Junoon performed at all three days of the Mela and performed at the BBC Asian Awards
where they were also awarded for their "Contribution to Asian Culture".
In March 1999, the Prime Minister of India
, Atal Bihari Vajpayee
, in a spirit of cross-border friendship, invited the band to perform at the anniversary of his government in Delhi. Travelling in the same gilded bus that Vajpayee had travelled cross-border to shake hands with Pakistan and sign the Lahore
declaration, Junoon crossed the Wagah
border from Lahore into India. In a very emotional performance before the Prime Minister, they performed the Jupiters
hit, "Dosti" onstage with Indian group, Silk Route
. Later the same year, Junoon released their fifth studio album, Parvaaz
, which was recorded and mixed at Abbey Road Studios
in London
and was hailed by many critics as the finest work by Junoon to date and was released by EMI
internationally and by Lips Records in Pakistan. The album was mostly based on the poetry of Bulleh Shah
and singles from the album such as "Bulleya
", "Sajna", "Ghoom" and "Mitti" were a success and did well at the music charts. The album was produced by John Alec who came from New York to work on the band's fifth studio album. Also in 1999, UNESCO
invited Junoon to perform at their Millennium Peace concert held in Paris
, France
. Junoon were presented with an award "Outstanding Achievements in Music and Peace" by UNESCO. The event was attended by many well known artists from around the world like Yesudas, Lionel Richie
, Montserrat Caballe
and Zubin Mehta
. Famous actors like Gregory Peck
, Sidney Poitier
, and Peter Ustinov
were also present at the concert. By the end of the year, Junoon toured to Bangladesh, where 45,000 ecstatic fans attended the concert at the Bangladesh Army Stadium
in Dhaka
.
In 2000, Junoon released a compilation of their albums and videos, Millennium 1990-2000
, through Lips Music Records. The compilation album consisted of singles like "Azadi", "Muk Gaye Nay" and live tracks like "Allah Hu". Later the same year, Junoon performed in Japan
. On June 30, the band then went on to perform at the European Rock Festival, Roskilde Festival
, near Copenhagen
, in Denmark
. Junoon became the first Asian band to perform at the festival and performed along with many well known bands and musicians like Pearl Jam
, Iron Maiden
, The Cure
, Queensrÿche
and many other well known artists from around the world. At the end of the year, Junoon performed at a concert in Dubai
, UAE, with Bollywood
singer Sonu Nigam
, with nearly 20,000 in attendance, which was organised by Oberoi Middle East Events.
(titled as Ishq in Pakistan
). The album topped the music charts in Pakistan as well as in the Persian Gulf
and South Asia
. The first single entitled "Zamanae Ke Andaz (Saqi-Nama)" made it to #1 in the Persian Gulf and to #5 on the Asian charts. In April, Junoon performed to a sold out concert at the Wembley Arena
in London and went on to perform at the "United for Gujrat" concert, the first South Asian rock concert, held in New Delhi
along with bands from India
and Bangladesh
, singing together to raise funds for the Gujrat Earthquake victims. In June, Salman Ahmad
attended the UN General Assembly in New York
where he was appointed as the 'Goodwill Ambassador' of Pakistan by United Nations
. On June 30, Junoon performed at the Celebrate Brooklyn
festival at Prospect Park Bandshell in Brooklyn
, New York
. On July 7, the band performed at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago
, Illinois
. In September, Junoon did a concert in Norway
with Morten Harket
, lead vocalist of A-ha
, performing a duet "Piya (Ocean of Love)". The same year, the band also made a trip China
to perform a peace concert.
Following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, Junoon, in the aftermath of the attacks, traveled to the United States for a series of shows at universities and high schools. On October 9, the band played a peace concert at the United Nations (UN). On November 29, the music television channel, VH1
, aired a special doucmentary, Islamabad: Rock City
, about the group hosted by Susan Sarandon
. On December 25, Junoon had once again been embraced by the Pakistani government, and were even joined on stage by then the President, General Pervez Musharraf, as he invited them to perform at the mausoleum of Pakistan's founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah
, on Jinnah's birthday. Although Junoon continues to promote peace and harmony, the band also speaks out on contentious issues that most popular groups avoid. The band served as goodwill ambassadors for HIV/AIDS awareness for the UN and raised several issues.
In 2002, Junoon opened a new chapter by releasing the antiterrorism song "No More" in English, yet another attempt by the group to spread their message to a wider audience. Although, Junoon had previously released English songs on their first two albums, such as "Our Land", "Lady Magic", "Downtown Princes" and "Game Of Chance". The song "No More" is the first English song for which Junoon released a music video
. CNN
aired a 30 minute interview of Junoon on the program Talk Asia. They received rave reviews in The New York Times
, Billboard Magazine
, The New York Post, Newsweek
, and others. On March 29, Junoon released their second live album and the overall twelfth album, Daur-e-Junoon
.
On February 16, 2003, Junoon performed at the Basant Festival Show held in Lahore
. On May, 5, the band went to Karachi
to perform at the PAF Creek Club. On June 18, Junoon performed live at the Royal Albert Hall
, London
, England
. On July, 17, the documentary The Rock Star and the Mullahs
by Wide Angel
was aired on BBC
based upon Junoon and music in Islam. In December, Junoon released their seventh studio album, Dewaar
. The single "Garaj Baras
" was selected as the soundtrack of the Bollywood
movie Paap
directed by Pooja Bhatt
, the song topped the charts in the country again in 2004. Another single off the album "Pappu Yaar" shot to the #1 spot on the music charts in Pakistan. This was the album which last featured the trio together. After the release of the band's seventh studio album bassist, Brian O'Connell
went back to United States
and vocalist, Ali Azmat
went on to pursue his career as a solo singer. In April 2004, Junoon released their third compilation album, Dewaar: The Best of Junoon
. In August, Junoon released Ghoom Taana
video and a special documentary entitled "Building Bridges" which was screened at a launch ceremony in Karachi
in time for the Independence Day celebrations of Pakistan
and India
. On October 14, Journeyman Pictures
released a short film documentary based on Pakistani music featuring local rock bands, Junoon and Fuzön
.
was the album which last featured the trio together. After the release of the album Brian O'Connell
went back to United States. Since his departure, Pakistani musician Mekaal Hasan
and the band's producer John Alec have been playing bass guitar for live shows in place. On February 2, 2005, Junoon performed a charity concert for the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami victims at Alhamra Auditorium
in Lahore
. On March 3, Salman Ahmad appeared on the documentary It's My Country Too: Muslim Americans
aired on BBC television
documentary
strand This World
. The last Junoon concert to feature Ali Azmat
took place in Dubai
, UAE in March 2005 after which Ali Azmat went on to pursue his career as a solo singer. Later the same year, he released his debut solo album, Social Circus
. Shehryar Ahmad, the band manager also departed from the band. Salman Ahmad
also released his debut solo album, Infiniti
in July 2005.
In September 2007, Junoon re-released three albums, Parvaaz
, Azadi
and Infiniti with Magnatune
. On December 11, Junoon performed at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert
in Oslo
, Norway together with a variety of artists, which was broadcast live to over 100 countries.
On May 25, 2008, Junoon performed in Srinagar
for the first time and turned thousands of music lovers hysterical. On June 8, Ali Azmat performed a duet of "Garaj Baras
" with Rahat Fateh Ali Khan along with singles from his solo albums at the Coke Studio
season one first session. On August 15, Ali Azmat released his second album, Klashinfolk, which was recorded at Mekaal Hasan Studios in Lahore
. The album received significant critical acclaim across Pakistan, although, like the previous album, it was not a huge commercial success.
, featuring at the Clinton Global Initiative to performing at the Atlantic City House of Blues
with Multi Academy/Grammy winning artist Melissa Etheridge
after collaborating with her on one of her albums. Salman also featured in the series of Mystical Sufi Tours throughout the US and Canada
. He has performed at various famous educational institutions throughout the world, including places like Oxford, Harvard, Yale, Stanford etc. various times and continues to actively tour and engage college audiences. He also happens to be actively involved as a professor of Islamic Arts at Queens College NY.
On September 12, 2009, Junoon performed at "The Concert for Pakistan" along with other musicians from around the world which included, Outlandish
, Sting held at the UN General Assembly Hall. At the concert Salman Ahmad also performed on stage with Gavin Rossdale
covering the song "All Along the Watchtower
". On November 30, Salman Ahmad, as Junoon, announced that the first single from the upcoming album will be "Love Can You Take Me Back". On January 12, 2010, Salman Ahmad published a book, Rock & Roll Jihad: A Muslim Rock Star's Revolution, regarding his time with Junoon and all the struggle he faced to become a rockstar. On March 14, Junoon released the video of their first single. On March 25, Salman Ahmad was invited at the television programme Good Day L.A.
where he talked about his soundtrack album and about the book. On June 1, Junoon released the soundtrack album Rock & Roll Jihad
based on Salman Ahmad and Junoon's musical journey throughout the years.
On July 23, Salman Ahmad was present at the opening ceremony of Masala Mehndi Masti 2010
in Toronto
, Ontario
, Canada
. On July 24, Salman Ahmad with his band performed at the Masala Mehndi Masti 2010. On July 26, Salman Ahmad appeared on the BBC television programme, HARDtalk
, where he talked about religion and music in Islam. In August, Salman Ahmad was interviewed by American music magazine The Rolling Stone, he talked about his novel and the soundtrack album based on the novel. In the interview, Salman informed that in India
the book will be published by Jaico Publishing House
and will be accompanied by a free cd which includes two singles, "Love Can You Take Me Back" and "Bulleya/Lonely Heart
" and also including two other tracks, "Sayonee
" and "Meri Awaz Suno
". Salman also confirmed that he's currently working on a new Junoon album release, which will release in next year. On August 16, in an interview with BBC World Service
, Salman Ahmad confirmed that he's writing a song named "Khwab" for the Pakistan flood
victims in order to raise funds for them. He also confirmed that the song will be internationally released within a few week's time and hopes to record it with Pakistani and Western artists. After a few days, it was confirmed that Salman Ahmad will collaborate with Peter Gabriel
on the song "Khwab", in an attempt to raise funds for the Pakistan flood victims. On August 25, Salman Ahmad talked to Dutch TV about organizing a charity concert with various artists to collect money for the flood victims in Pakistan. In September, Salman Ahmad confirmed that he has collaborated with Alison Sudol on the song "Pakistan Humara" (first named "Khwab", later named "Open Your Eyes") for the Pakistan flood victims. Salman further added that Peter Gabriel will be bringing his genius to the song on September 6. “Will try and send a picture from the studio”, says Salman.
In an interview with ABC News
, it was confirmed that both the U.S. & British
governments have enlisted Salman Ahmad to speak against extremism. On October 29, Salman Ahmad released the song "Open Your Eyes" with Peter Gabriel and Alison Sudol for the Pakistan flood relief. The song was launched on November 2, to be downloaded from digital music sites globally. Each dollar for download will go to Pakistan flood relief through their charity organisation, Salman and Samina Global Wellness initiative (SSGWI). After the release of "Open Your Eyes", Peter Gabriel offered Salman Ahmad to record a complete album with his Real World Records
label next year. Salman Ahmad also confirmed that he's working on a duet with American artist and producer David Sisko who has worked for the likes of Justin Timberlake
& Gwen Stefani
.
for United Nations
HIV/AIDS campaign. On March 16, the single "Pakistan Humara" in collaboration with Peter Gabriel was dedicated to the Pakistan cricket team playing at the 2011 Cricket World Cup
. On March 18, Junoon performed at The College of William & Mary as part of W&M's Asian studies initiative. On March 23, Junoon launched the music video of the single "Pakistan Humara" directed by Asad Pathan. On June 19, Junoon performed at the Festival Mundial held in Tilburg
, Netherlands
.
On August 12, in an interview with The Express Tribune
Ahmad confirmed that he is set to celebrate Junoon’s 20th anniversary with the band's former bassist Brian O'Connell
. “We are reaching Junoon’s 20th anniversary, so I’m excited about more projects coming up regarding that,” Ahmad told The Express Tribune. Ahmad also confirmed that Junoon’s 20th anniversary celebration concert will be held at the Asia Society on September 24 in New York
. The band also announced that it will release an album to mark two decades of Junoon. The album will be featuring Strings
, Bilal Khan, Outlandish
, Aag, Usman Riaz and Laal
’s Taimur Rahman
. Shoaib Mansoor
will be writing lyrics for the band's anniversary album.
, songs were written in both the English and Urdu languages, but since then the band has only written songs in Urdu, with the only exceptions being "No More" from the live album Junoon for Peace
and the single "Piya (Ocean of Love)", which is a duet with Morten Harket
of A-ha
. The soundtrack album Rock & Roll Jihad
released in 2010 contain five tracks written in English by Salman Ahmad
.
, writer of most of the band's lyrics and music scores
, says that he gets most of his inspiration for Junoon's songs from Led Zeppelin
and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan music. Songs like "Lal Meri Pat" (from Azadi
), "Dharti" (from Andaz
) and "Mera Mahi" (from Inquilaab
) are some examples of this influence. Other songs, such as "Garaj Baras
" and "Taara Jala" (from Dewaar
) have elements of hard rock
, and some others, like "Yaar Bina
" (from Azadi), "Zamane Ke Andaz" (from Andaz) and the album Parvaaz
have elements of classical music
. Bands stated as influence include Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd
, Van Halen
, U2
, Bee Gees
, A-ha
and Queen
.
Poetry by famous poets like Maulana Rumi, Allama Iqbal and Bulleh Shah
are also a big influence on Junoon's music. The album Parvaaz is a tribute album to Bulleh Shah and is mostly based on Bulleh Shah's poetry. The songs "Zamane Ke Andaz", from the album Andaz, and "Khudi", from the album Azadi, are poems by Allama Iqbal.
On the other hand, Junoon has also been noted as a source of inspiration for other bands. Atif Aslam
, former lead vocalist of rock
band Jal
, has done many covers of Junoon's music, most notably "Dosti" of which a video was also released. Atif Aslam also acknowledged that Junoon had greatly inspired him. Goher Mumtaz, lead guitarist of Jal, has also shown fondness for Junoon and acknowledged that some early work of the band has inspired him. In an interview, internationally acclaimed pop rock
band Strings
have acknowledged that Junoon has been influential to the band for making a comeback in the local music industry in 2000. In 2007, Strings performed a cover of Junoon's single version of "Lal Meri Pat" at Oslo Mela. Underground local band, Jumbo Jutt paid tribute to Junoon by covering their single "Sajna". Pakistani rock band Call performed a live session cover of Junoon's hit song "Bulleya
" on Indus Music. India
n singer Harshdeep Kaur
have covered Junoon's single "Saeein
" in many live performances. The instrumental song "Aap Aur Hum" (also known as "Jugalbandi", from Talaash
) was covered by American
rock band Black Clover Leaf, adding vocals to the instrumental and releasing it on their self-titled debut album as "Breathe", in 2009.
, Bulleh Shah
and Allama Iqbal. Their music has been based on worldly issues and to have peace in the world. Their music has been one major force which has truly kept the national spirits high amidst the prevailing social woes which have surely worsened in the last three decades. Songs like "Jazba-e-Junoon
", "Talaash
", "Main Kaun Hoon" and "Sayonee
" are examples. Their music has been captivating to the Pakistani youth for over ten years and have been the only saving grace of Pakistani music internationally after the departure of groups like Vital Signs
and Nazia and Zoheb
. Junoon's music has also been compared by some critics with the likes of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Lata Mangeshkar
.
While the music of Junoon is centered around a male lead singer, the band has also featured some female vocals on their albums ever since their self-titled debut release Junoon. Since the release of their third studio album Inquilaab
the band's music has been based on classical eastern poetry blending with western music. Their seventh studio album Dewaar
featured elements of hard rock
music with songs like "Garaj Baras
" and "Dewaar".
, Junoon went on their first full scale tour of the United States
, performing from Birmingham, Alabama
, to Los Angeles
where the appeared at the House of Blues
and from there to New York's Roosevelt Hotel
, which featured in Newsweek Magazine.
During the tour to India
in 1997, Junoon saw crowds of as many as of 50,000 fans at different venues. The band was courted for a controversy during their tour to India by the Pakistani government. The Indian government was testing nuclear devices at that time, and Salman Ahmad
suggested that the Indian and Pakistani leaders should spend more on education and health and less on weapons. This led to a prolonged ban on Junoon's music by the Pakistani government. PTV
, the Pakistan state television, refused to show the audience even clips from Junoon releases.
Junoon also became the first band ever to perform at an UN conference when they performed their Millennium Peace concert held in Paris
, France
. For their performances they were presented with an award, "Outstanding Achievements in Music and Peace", by UNESCO
.
One of the most popular concerts that Junoon performed was their tour to Denmark
and Europe
in 2000-2001. This tour played a pivotal role in increasing Junoon's international popularity and standing and in spreading awareness about Pakistani music. During their tour to Denmark they became the first Asian band to perform at the Roskilde Festival
along with many well known bands and musicians like Pearl Jam
, Iron Maiden
, The Cure
, Queensrÿche
and many other well known artists from around the world. On September 5, 2001, Junoon performed in Norway
with Morten Harket of A-ha as they performed a duet, "Piya (Ocean of Love)", at the Oslo Spektrum
which attracted a crowd of about 3000 people.
in 1998. Junoon have received one nominee from the Lux Style Awards
and ARY The Musik Awards
but has not received an award; Junoon already won awards from Indus Music Awards and from ARY Asian/Bollywood Awards. Junoon has also been awarded several awards for their contribution towards peace and South East culture by BBC
, UNESCO
and South Asian Journalists Association
.
Former members
Sufi rock
Sufi rock is a subgenre of rock music that combines rock with classical sufi music traditions. It emerged in the early 1990s and became widely popular in the late 1990s in Pakistan. The term "sufi rock" was coined in 1993 by writer Nadeem F...
band from Lahore
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
, Punjab, Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
, formed in 1990. The band is directed by founder, lead guitarist and songwriter, Salman Ahmad
Salman Ahmad
Salman Ahmad is a Pakistani musician and former actor, who used to be a member of Vital Signs but left after their debut album due to creative differences. He went on to form Junoon, South Asia's biggest and longest-lasting rock band. While still enjoying the success of Junoon, he was involved in...
, who was soon joined by keyboardist Nusrat Hussain
Nusrat Hussain
Nusrat Hussain began playing keyboards with bands that his friends formed in Islamabad. He began his professional career in the music industry with Vital Signs...
and vocalist Ali Azmat
Ali Azmat
Ali Azmat is a Ali Azmat is a...
. Junoon is Pakistan's most successful band; the Q magazine regarded them as "One of the biggest bands in the world" and The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
called Junoon "the U2
U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
of Pakistan". Since their inception, the group has released a collective total of seventeen albums: seven studio albums; one soundtrack; two live albums; four video albums; and three compilations. Junoon is also South Asia's most successful band of all time with more than 30 million albums sold worldwide.
Pioneers of sufi rock
Sufi rock
Sufi rock is a subgenre of rock music that combines rock with classical sufi music traditions. It emerged in the early 1990s and became widely popular in the late 1990s in Pakistan. The term "sufi rock" was coined in 1993 by writer Nadeem F...
, with such an original sound they achieved success during the early 1990s. Its members were signed to major record label EMI Records
EMI Records
EMI Records is the flagship record label founded by the EMI company in 1972 and launched in January 1973 as the successor to its Columbia label. The EMI label was launched worldwide...
and afterwards released their self-titled debut album Junoon in 1991. After two years, the band recorded their second album Talaash
Talaash
-Personnel:All information is taken from the CD.Junoon*Salman Ahmad - vocals, lead guitar*Ali Azmat - vocals, backing vocals*Brian O'Connell - bass guitar, backing vocalsAdditional musicians*Bass guitars played by Assad Ahmed...
(1993) with their new bassist Brian O'Connell
Brian O'Connell (musician)
Brian O'Connell is an American multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger, record producer and actor. Best known as the bassist and producer for Pakistani sufi rock band Junoon, O'Connell has since gained respect as both a musician and a producer in the Pakistani music industry. O'Connell and Salman...
after Nusrat Hussain
Nusrat Hussain
Nusrat Hussain began playing keyboards with bands that his friends formed in Islamabad. He began his professional career in the music industry with Vital Signs...
left the band. The release of their second album began to create a cult following for the band. In 1996, Junoon released their third album Inquilaab
Inquilaab
-Personnel:All information is taken from the CD.Junoon*Salman Ahmad - vocals, lead guitar*Ali Azmat - vocals, backing vocals*Brian O'Connell - bass guitar, backing vocalsAdditional musicians*Drums by Malcolm Goveas*Tablas and Dholak by Ashiq Ali Mir...
, and it was only then that Junoon developed a nationwide fan following, with blending rock guitars and bluesy vocals with eastern elements like the use of tabla
Tabla
The tabla is a popular Indian percussion instrument used in Hindustani classical music and in popular and devotional music of the Indian subcontinent. The instrument consists of a pair of hand drums of contrasting sizes and timbres...
s, raga-inspired melodies, traditional Pakistani folk music
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
, and Eastern inspired poetry. The following year, the band recorded the critically acclaimed Azadi
Azadi (album)
Azadi is the fourth studio album and the fifth overall album of the Pakistani sufi rock band, Junoon. The album was released in 1997 and establishes the Sufi rock sound that the band pioneered on their previous album, Inquilaab...
(1997), being the band's first international record deal, and making it Junoon's debut album in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. The band went on to record and release Parvaaz
Parvaaz
-Personnel:Junoon*Salman Ahmad - vocals, lead guitar*Ali Azmat - vocals, backing vocals*Brian O'Connell - bass guitar, backing vocalsAdditional musicians*Malcolm Goveas - drums*Ashiq Ali Mir - tabla, dholakProduction...
in 1999. The band found renewed success and popularity starting with 2001's Andaz
Andaz (album)
-Personnel:All information is taken from the CD.Junoon*Salman Ahmad - vocals, lead guitar*Ali Azmat - vocals, backing vocals*Brian O'Connell - bass guitar, backing vocalsAdditional musicians*Female vocals on "Azadi" by Samina Ahmad...
and through 2003's Dewaar
Dewaar
Dewaar is the seventh studio album and the thirteenth overall album of the Pakistani band, Junoon released in 2003...
and their supporting tours.
After the release of their seventh studio album, vocalist Ali Azmat and lead guitarist Salman Ahmad went on to pursue a career as a solo singer, while bassist Brian O' Connell returned to his native United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Although Junoon's two other members, Ali Azmat and Brain O'Connell, left the band in 2005, Salman Ahmad continues to perform as a solo artist under the "Junoon" label and has moved to New York. In 2010, Junoon released the soundtrack album Rock & Roll Jihad
Rock & Roll Jihad
Rock & Roll Jihad is the first soundtrack album and the eighteenth overall album of the Pakistani band, Junoon. The soundtrack is based on Salman Ahmad and Junoon's musical journey...
based on Salman Ahmad and Junoon's musical journey throughout the years.
Early years (1980–1989)
Junoon's roots stretch back to Tappan, New YorkTappan, New York
Tappan is a hamlet in the Town of Orangetown, Rockland County, New York, United States located north of Old Tappan, New Jersey; east of Nauraushaun and Pearl River; south of Blauvelt and west of Palisades and Sparkill...
, in the 1970s. Salman Ahmad
Salman Ahmad
Salman Ahmad is a Pakistani musician and former actor, who used to be a member of Vital Signs but left after their debut album due to creative differences. He went on to form Junoon, South Asia's biggest and longest-lasting rock band. While still enjoying the success of Junoon, he was involved in...
left Lahore
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
, Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
, for New York with his family when he was eleven, and received his baptism in rock music
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
when a friend offered him a ticket to a Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
concert. Salman Ahmad was so enthralled by the show that he saved $235 to buy his own electric guitar
Electric guitar
An electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
. He also befriended Brian O'Connell
Brian O'Connell (musician)
Brian O'Connell is an American multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger, record producer and actor. Best known as the bassist and producer for Pakistani sufi rock band Junoon, O'Connell has since gained respect as both a musician and a producer in the Pakistani music industry. O'Connell and Salman...
in Tappan, another young aspiring musician, with whom Ahmad formed their first band together by the name of "Eclipse". Before the two friends could take their aspirations out of the basement and onto a bigger stage, Salman Ahmad's parents moved back to Pakistan in 1981, and Salman began to study medicine at Lahore's King Edward's Medical College.
In 1987, Nusrat Hussain
Nusrat Hussain
Nusrat Hussain began playing keyboards with bands that his friends formed in Islamabad. He began his professional career in the music industry with Vital Signs...
, by then the lead guitarist of the band Vital Signs
Vital Signs (band)
Vital Signs were a Pakistani Pop rock band that formed in Rawalpindi in 1986. The group was formed by Rohail Hyatt and Shahzad Hasan , who were soon joined by Nusrat Hussain and Junaid Jamshed...
, after composing the song "Dil Dil Pakistan
Dil Dil Pakistan
Dil Dil Pakistan is a patriotic song from Pakistan. It was released in 1987 by the Pakistani pop band, Vital Signs. It was included in the band's debut album Vital Signs 1 in 1989.-Popularity:...
" parted ways with Vital Signs and suggested Rohail Hyatt
Rohail Hyatt
Rohail Hyatt is a Pakistani musician, producer, and a rock music artist known for his work with the popular 1990s pop band Vital Signs. He is one of the finest music producers in Pakistan. He is the man behind Coke Studio, from Pakistan.-Vital Signs:...
, founder and keyboardist of Vital Signs, to bring Salman Ahmad
Salman Ahmad
Salman Ahmad is a Pakistani musician and former actor, who used to be a member of Vital Signs but left after their debut album due to creative differences. He went on to form Junoon, South Asia's biggest and longest-lasting rock band. While still enjoying the success of Junoon, he was involved in...
as his replacement in the band. Vital Signs then went on to record their debut album at the EMI Studios in Karachi
Karachi
Karachi is the largest city, main seaport and the main financial centre of Pakistan, as well as the capital of the province of Sindh. The city has an estimated population of 13 to 15 million, while the total metropolitan area has a population of over 18 million...
, but almost all the songs were written and composed at Salman Ahmad's residence where the band had been lodged. In March 1989, the band released their debut album, Vital Signs 1
Vital Signs 1
Vital Signs 1 was the first album of the Pakistani band Vital Signs. Fresh from the success of their smash hit Dil Dil Pakistan Vital Signs went to work on their debut album, with Shoaib Mansoor providing the lyrics to all but 2 songs...
, which was a success throughout the country. The following year, Salman Ahmad parted ways with the most successful pop band of Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
as he wanted a change in the band's music for their second album and therefore after leaving the band he went on to form his own band. First, he recruited singer Ali Azmat
Ali Azmat
Ali Azmat is a Ali Azmat is a...
from the Jupiters
Jupiters
Jupiters were a band based in Lahore, Pakistan, famous for being a breeding ground for many famous Pakistani singers. The band itself gained attention as the most wanted party band in Lahore in the early 90s and later released their hit song 'Chala dey ja nishani'...
and then the former Vital Signs lead guitarist, Nusrat Hussain, on keyboards.
Formation (1990–1993)
Junoon formed in 1990 when Salman Ahmad, founder, songwriter and lead guitarist, had a dream where one of his teachers shook him and said "Tumhey mousiqui ka Junoon hai!" (You have an obsession for music!). Junoon were not an over night success, the band members struggled for the first few years. Their self-titled debut album, Junoon, recorded at the EMI Studios in KarachiKarachi
Karachi is the largest city, main seaport and the main financial centre of Pakistan, as well as the capital of the province of Sindh. The city has an estimated population of 13 to 15 million, while the total metropolitan area has a population of over 18 million...
barely made a dent in the Pakistani music industry when released in September 1991. After the release of their debut album, Nusrat Hussain parted ways with the band to pursue his own career as a solo singer and went on to release his debut solo album Amrit
Amrit
Amrit, also known as Marathos or Marathus, was an ancient city located near Tartous in Syria. It was founded during the Amorites period, 3rd millennium BC....
in 1992.
After the departure of Nusrat Hussain, Salman Ahmad contacted Brian O'Connell
Brian O'Connell (musician)
Brian O'Connell is an American multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger, record producer and actor. Best known as the bassist and producer for Pakistani sufi rock band Junoon, O'Connell has since gained respect as both a musician and a producer in the Pakistani music industry. O'Connell and Salman...
and invited him to play bass on the band's second album. Brian O'Connell quit his job as a social worker and traveled 10,000 miles to Karachi
Karachi
Karachi is the largest city, main seaport and the main financial centre of Pakistan, as well as the capital of the province of Sindh. The city has an estimated population of 13 to 15 million, while the total metropolitan area has a population of over 18 million...
, Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
, where he reunited with his old friend. It was after ten years both the friends reunited. In 1992, the band started working on their second studio album
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
. The album was recorded and mixed at Tahir Gul Hasan's Sound On Sound recording studios in Karachi. While working on their second album at one side, on the other hand the band also featured in a television series, Talaash
Talaash (TV series)
Talaash is Pakistan television mini-series featuring Junoon, a popular Pakistani sufi rock music group. It was written by Anwar Maqsood and directed by Atiqa Odho. Due to its novel storyline it became an extremely popular drama in Pakistan.-Cast:*Salman Ahmad*Atiqa Odho*Ali Azmat*Brian...
, directed by Atiqa Odho
Atiqa Odho
Atiqa Odho is a Pakistani television and film actress and television host. She debuted in Anwar Maqsood's TV series Sitara aur Mehrunissa and later starred in a string of successful films, including Jo Darr Gya Woh Marr Gya, Mummy and Mujhe Chand Chahiye.-Biography:Odho was born in Karachi,...
and written by Anwar Maqsood
Anwar Maqsood
Anwar Maqsood Hameedi commonly known as Anwar Maqsood Urdu: انور مقصود) is a Pakistani playwright, poet, television host, satirist, humorist, infrequent actor and painter. He has worked in the entertainment industry for over 35 years.-Life and career:Anwar Maqsood studied at the Gulbarga trust...
, based on the true story of the band in which the band members acted themselves and due to its novel storyline it became an extremely popular television series in Pakistan. The television series were aired on PTV
Pakistan Television Corporation
The Pakistan Television Corporation is Pakistan's national television broadcaster. The first live transmission of PTV began on November 26, 1964, in Lahore...
.
On September 23, 1993, Junoon released their second album Talaash
Talaash
-Personnel:All information is taken from the CD.Junoon*Salman Ahmad - vocals, lead guitar*Ali Azmat - vocals, backing vocals*Brian O'Connell - bass guitar, backing vocalsAdditional musicians*Bass guitars played by Assad Ahmed...
which began to create a cult of a following for the band. Singles from the album, such as "Talaash
Talaash (song)
"Talaash" is a song by the Pakistani sufi rock band Junoon. It is the seventh track and the only single released from the band's second album, Talaash , released on EMI Records. Written by lead vocalist and guitarist Salman Ahmad, it is the lead single on the album...
", were politically influenced and became subject to censorship, which led to the eventual ban from all state run television and radio during the rule of by then the Pakistani Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif
Nawaz Sharif
Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif is a Pakistani conservative politician and steel magnate who served as 12th Prime Minister of Pakistan in two non-consecutive terms from November 1990 to July 1993, and from February 1997 to October 12, 1999...
.
Rise to fame (1994–1997)
In 1994, Junoon started working on their third studio album. In 1995, the band released their first compilation album, KashmakashKashmakash
-Personnel:All information is taken from the CD.Junoon*Salman Ahmad - vocals, lead guitar*Ali Azmat - vocals, backing vocals*Brian O'Connell - bass guitar, backing vocalsAdditional musicians*Female vocals on "Jogia" by Fifi Haroon...
, which is believed to be the very first compilation album by a band in Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
. Junoon were courted for the controversial video release of the single "Ehtesaab
Ehtesaab
"Ehtesaab" is the second track on the 1995 compilation album Kashmakash by the sufi rock band Junoon, and is the second single from the album. After the release of the band's first real big hit single "Jazba-e-Junoon", which was the song of the 1996 Cricket World Cup...
", from Kashmakash, which included footage of a polo pony eating in a posh restaurant. Many thought that the image was an indictment of the corrupt Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
i political elite, and especially of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto
Benazir Bhutto
Benazir Bhutto was a democratic socialist who served as the 11th Prime Minister of Pakistan in two non-consecutive terms from 1988 until 1990 and 1993 until 1996....
. The government quickly responded to it and banned the song and video from the state television. In 1996, the band released their third studio album, Inquilaab
Inquilaab
-Personnel:All information is taken from the CD.Junoon*Salman Ahmad - vocals, lead guitar*Ali Azmat - vocals, backing vocals*Brian O'Connell - bass guitar, backing vocalsAdditional musicians*Drums by Malcolm Goveas*Tablas and Dholak by Ashiq Ali Mir...
, which was recorded and engineered with a completely new sound at Aamir Hasan Studios, Inquilaab
Inquilaab
-Personnel:All information is taken from the CD.Junoon*Salman Ahmad - vocals, lead guitar*Ali Azmat - vocals, backing vocals*Brian O'Connell - bass guitar, backing vocalsAdditional musicians*Drums by Malcolm Goveas*Tablas and Dholak by Ashiq Ali Mir...
was a blend of western music with classical eastern sufi music. It was the release of their third album when Junoon started to gain success and began to reach a wider audience when one of their singles, "Jazba-e-Junoon
Jazba-e-Junoon
"Jazba-e-Junoon" is a song by the Pakistani sufi rock band Junoon. It is the thirteenth and final track from the band's album third album, Inquilaab , released on EMI Records...
", became the signature song of the Cricket World Cup
1996 Cricket World Cup
The 1996 Cricket World Cup, also called the Wills World Cup after its official sponsors, was the sixth edition of the tournament organized by the International Cricket Council . It was the second World Cup to be hosted by Pakistan and India, and for the first time by Sri Lanka...
.
Following the success of their third album release, the following year Junoon went on their first full-scale tour of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, performing from Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
, to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
where they appeared at the House of Blues
House of Blues
House of Blues is a chain of 13 live music concert halls and restaurants in major markets throughout the United States. House of Blues first location was in Cambridge's Harvard Square. It was opened in 1992 by Isaac Tigrett, co-founder of Hard Rock Cafe, and Dan Aykroyd, star of The Blues Brothers...
and from there to New York's Roosevelt Hotel
Roosevelt Hotel (New York)
The Roosevelt Hotel is at Madison Avenue and 45th Street in midtown Manhattan, named in honor of President Theodore Roosevelt. The New York City hotel opened on September 22, 1924. The hotel closed in 1995 and reopened in 1997 after a $65-million extensive renovation.-Guest rooms:There are a total...
, which featured in Newsweek Magazine. They also went on tour to Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and the UAE through which Junoon's fame grew rapidly. In September 1997, Junoon released their fourth studio album, Azadi
Azadi (album)
Azadi is the fourth studio album and the fifth overall album of the Pakistani sufi rock band, Junoon. The album was released in 1997 and establishes the Sufi rock sound that the band pioneered on their previous album, Inquilaab...
, which was the band's first international record deal after the band manager, Shehryar Ahmad, secured a deal with EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
/Virgin Records
Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
and making it their debut album in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. Within three months of the release of Azadi, the album had sold over half a million copies and hit platinum sales status in a record of four weeks. The music video of the first single, "Sayonee
Sayonee
"Sayonee" is a song by the Pakistani sufi rock band Junoon, released in April, 1997. It is the first track from the band's album fourth album, Azadi , released on EMI Records...
", was shot by Asim Reza which became an instant hit in South Asia
South Asia
South Asia, also known as Southern Asia, is the southern region of the Asian continent, which comprises the sub-Himalayan countries and, for some authorities , also includes the adjoining countries to the west and the east...
and the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
, shooting to the top of all the Asian charts, and staying at #1 on both Channel V
Channel V
Channel [V] is the brand name for multiple international music television networks owned by STAR TV and Fox International Channels, fully owned subsidiaries of News Corporation.-Channel [V] International:...
and MTV Asia for over two months.
Later that year, Junoon went on their first Indian tour. The band's first concert was held in New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. After traveling throughout the country, Junoon saw crowds of as many as of 50,000 fans at different venues. The band was courted for a controversy during their tour to India by the Pakistani government. The Indian government was testing nuclear devices at that time, and Salman Ahmad
Salman Ahmad
Salman Ahmad is a Pakistani musician and former actor, who used to be a member of Vital Signs but left after their debut album due to creative differences. He went on to form Junoon, South Asia's biggest and longest-lasting rock band. While still enjoying the success of Junoon, he was involved in...
suggested that the Indian and Pakistani leaders should spend more on education and health and less on weapons. This led to a prolonged ban on Junoon's music by the Pakistani government. PTV
Pakistan Television Corporation
The Pakistan Television Corporation is Pakistan's national television broadcaster. The first live transmission of PTV began on November 26, 1964, in Lahore...
, the Pakistan state television, refused to show the audience even clips from Junoon releases. The Ministry of Culture charged Junoon with making comments in India amounting to sedition and treason. The band members denied these charges, reminding people of the fact that they had been victimised since the release of "Ehtesaab" because they chose to speak out against political corruption.
Success (1998–2000)
On February 28, 1998, Junoon won the "Best International Group" title at the Channel V Music AwardsChannel V
Channel [V] is the brand name for multiple international music television networks owned by STAR TV and Fox International Channels, fully owned subsidiaries of News Corporation.-Channel [V] International:...
, where they performed along with world-wide icons Sting, The Prodigy
The Prodigy
The Prodigy are an English electronic dance music group formed by Liam Howlett in 1990 in Braintree, Essex. Along with Fatboy Slim, The Chemical Brothers, and other acts, The Prodigy have been credited as pioneers of the big beat genre, which achieved mainstream popularity in the 1990s and 2000s...
and Def Leppard
Def Leppard
Def Leppard are an English rock band formed in 1977 in Sheffield as part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement. Since 1992, the band have consisted of Joe Elliott , Rick Savage , Rick Allen , Phil Collen , and Vivian Campbell...
. Azadi was nominated for "Best International Album", having achieved the prestigious honour of being the highest selling album in Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
, Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
and India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
that year. In March, Zee TV
Zee TV
Zee TV is an India-based satellite television channel owned by Zee Entertainment Enterprises based in Mumbai, Maharashtra, which broadcasts various programmes in Hindi and other regional languages of India. Broadcasting is also present in various nations of South Asia, Europe, the Middle East,...
invited Junoon to perform at the star-studded Zee Cine Awards
Zee Cine Awards
The Zee Cine Awards or "ZCA" for short is an awards ceremony for the Hindi film industry. It was first held in 1998 in Mumbai. Since then, it has gained substantial popularity as a notable awards ceremony to the Indian population as well as to the viewers of Zee Network.In 2004, the ZCA went...
in Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
, where the group received accolades from the crème de la crème of India's entertainment industry. On August 9, Junoon performed at the Central Park
Central Park
Central Park is a public park in the center of Manhattan in New York City, United States. The park initially opened in 1857, on of city-owned land. In 1858, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux won a design competition to improve and expand the park with a plan they entitled the Greensward Plan...
in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, this concert was one of most famous concerts done by the band. Junoon then went on to perform at the BBC Mega Mela
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
, which is the largest South Asian festival outside of South Asia
South Asia
South Asia, also known as Southern Asia, is the southern region of the Asian continent, which comprises the sub-Himalayan countries and, for some authorities , also includes the adjoining countries to the west and the east...
, held in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Junoon performed at all three days of the Mela and performed at the BBC Asian Awards
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
where they were also awarded for their "Contribution to Asian Culture".
In March 1999, the Prime Minister of India
Prime Minister of India
The Prime Minister of India , as addressed to in the Constitution of India — Prime Minister for the Union, is the chief of government, head of the Council of Ministers and the leader of the majority party in parliament...
, Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Atal Bihari Vajpayee is an Indian statesman who served as the tenth Prime Minister of India three times – first for a brief term of 13 days in 1996, and then for two terms from 1998 to 2004. After his first brief period as Prime Minister in 1996, Vajpayee headed a coalition government from...
, in a spirit of cross-border friendship, invited the band to perform at the anniversary of his government in Delhi. Travelling in the same gilded bus that Vajpayee had travelled cross-border to shake hands with Pakistan and sign the Lahore
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
declaration, Junoon crossed the Wagah
Wagah
Wagah is the only road border crossing between Pakistan and India , and lies on the Grand Trunk Road between the cities of Lahore, Pakistan and Amritsar, India. Wagah itself is a village through which the controversial Radcliffe Line was drawn. The village was divided by independence in 1947...
border from Lahore into India. In a very emotional performance before the Prime Minister, they performed the Jupiters
Jupiters
Jupiters were a band based in Lahore, Pakistan, famous for being a breeding ground for many famous Pakistani singers. The band itself gained attention as the most wanted party band in Lahore in the early 90s and later released their hit song 'Chala dey ja nishani'...
hit, "Dosti" onstage with Indian group, Silk Route
Silk Route (band)
Silk Route consisted of Mohit Chauhan , Kem Trivedi on keyboards and Kenny Puri on percussion and drums.Only six months previous to this writing by manager Subir Malik, founding member of the band Parikrama one of the pioneers of rock in India.The band has also scored and performed soundtracks and...
. Later the same year, Junoon released their fifth studio album, Parvaaz
Parvaaz
-Personnel:Junoon*Salman Ahmad - vocals, lead guitar*Ali Azmat - vocals, backing vocals*Brian O'Connell - bass guitar, backing vocalsAdditional musicians*Malcolm Goveas - drums*Ashiq Ali Mir - tabla, dholakProduction...
, which was recorded and mixed at Abbey Road Studios
Abbey Road Studios
Abbey Road Studios is a recording studio located at 3 Abbey Road, St John's Wood, City of Westminster, London, England. It was established in November 1931 by the Gramophone Company, a predecessor of British music company EMI, its present owner...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and was hailed by many critics as the finest work by Junoon to date and was released by EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
internationally and by Lips Records in Pakistan. The album was mostly based on the poetry of Bulleh Shah
Bulleh Shah
Bulleh Shah was a Punjabi Sufi poet, a humanist and philosopher.-Early life:Bulleh Shah is believed to have been born in 1680, in the small village of Uch, Bahawalpur, Punjab, in present day Pakistan. His father, Shah Muhammad Darwaish, was a teacher and preacher in a village mosque...
and singles from the album such as "Bulleya
Bulleya
"Bulleya" is a song by the Pakistani sufi rock band Junoon, released in 1999. It is the first track from the band's fifth album, Parvaaz , recorded at Abbey Road Studios, London and released on EMI Records. The song is a famous kafi written by the sufi saint Bulleh Shah...
", "Sajna", "Ghoom" and "Mitti" were a success and did well at the music charts. The album was produced by John Alec who came from New York to work on the band's fifth studio album. Also in 1999, UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
invited Junoon to perform at their Millennium Peace concert held in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. Junoon were presented with an award "Outstanding Achievements in Music and Peace" by UNESCO. The event was attended by many well known artists from around the world like Yesudas, Lionel Richie
Lionel Richie
Lionel Brockman Richie, Jr. , is an American singer-songwriter, musician and record producer. Since 1968, he has been a member of the musical group Commodores signed to Motown Records...
, Montserrat Caballe
Montserrat Caballé
Montserrat Caballé is a Spanish operatic soprano. Although she sang a wide variety of roles, she is best known as an exponent of the bel canto repertoire, notably the works of Rossini, Bellini, Donizetti and Verdi....
and Zubin Mehta
Zubin Mehta
Zubin Mehta is an Indian conductor of western classical music. He is the Music Director for Life of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.-Biography:...
. Famous actors like Gregory Peck
Gregory Peck
Eldred Gregory Peck was an American actor.One of 20th Century Fox's most popular film stars from the 1940s to the 1960s, Peck continued to play important roles well into the 1980s. His notable performances include that of Atticus Finch in the 1962 film To Kill a Mockingbird, for which he won an...
, Sidney Poitier
Sidney Poitier
Sir Sidney Poitier, KBE is a Bahamian American actor, film director, author, and diplomat.In 1963, Poitier became the first black person to win an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Lilies of the Field...
, and Peter Ustinov
Peter Ustinov
Peter Alexander Ustinov CBE was an English actor, writer and dramatist. He was also renowned as a filmmaker, theatre and opera director, stage designer, author, screenwriter, comedian, humourist, newspaper and magazine columnist, radio broadcaster and television presenter...
were also present at the concert. By the end of the year, Junoon toured to Bangladesh, where 45,000 ecstatic fans attended the concert at the Bangladesh Army Stadium
Bangladesh Army Stadium
Bangladesh Army Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It is currently used mostly for football matches and hosts the home matches of Bangladesh Army. The stadium holds 15,000 people....
in Dhaka
Dhaka
Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh and the principal city of Dhaka Division. Dhaka is a megacity and one of the major cities of South Asia. Located on the banks of the Buriganga River, Dhaka, along with its metropolitan area, had a population of over 15 million in 2010, making it the largest city...
.
In 2000, Junoon released a compilation of their albums and videos, Millennium 1990-2000
Millennium 1990-2000 (album)
Millennium 1990-2000 is the second compilation album and the seventh overall album released by Pakistani rock band, Junoon. It was released in 2000. The album features some best songs of band. It also includes two live versions of "Allah Hu", "Lal Meri Pat". It includes emotive song "Azadi" from...
, through Lips Music Records. The compilation album consisted of singles like "Azadi", "Muk Gaye Nay" and live tracks like "Allah Hu". Later the same year, Junoon performed in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. On June 30, the band then went on to perform at the European Rock Festival, Roskilde Festival
Roskilde Festival
Roskilde Festival is a festival held south of Roskilde in Denmark and is one of the six biggest annual music festivals in Europe . It was created in 1971 by two high school students, Mogens Sandfær and Jesper Switzer Møller, and promoter Carl Fischer...
, near Copenhagen
Copenhagen
Copenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,199,224 and a metropolitan population of 1,930,260 . With the completion of the transnational Øresund Bridge in 2000, Copenhagen has become the centre of the increasingly integrating Øresund Region...
, in Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
. Junoon became the first Asian band to perform at the festival and performed along with many well known bands and musicians like Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam is an American rock band that formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1990. Since its inception, the band's line-up has included Eddie Vedder , Jeff Ament , Stone Gossard , and Mike McCready...
, Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from Leyton in east London, formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Since their inception, the band's discography has grown to include a total of thirty-six albums: fifteen studio albums; eleven live albums; four EPs; and six...
, The Cure
The Cure
The Cure are an English rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex in 1976. The band has experienced several line-up changes, with frontman, vocalist, guitarist and principal songwriter Robert Smith being the only constant member...
, Queensrÿche
Queensrÿche
thumb|250px|right|Queensrÿche's classic line-up performing at the [[Sauna Open Air Metal Festival]] 2011 in [[Tampere]], [[Finland]]. Left to right: bass Eddie Jackson, lead vocals Geoff Tate, drums Scott Rockenfield and guitars Michael Wilton....
and many other well known artists from around the world. At the end of the year, Junoon performed at a concert in Dubai
Dubai
Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates . The emirate is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the largest population with the second-largest land territory by area of all the emirates, after Abu Dhabi...
, UAE, with Bollywood
Bollywood
Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes other production centers producing...
singer Sonu Nigam
Sonu Nigam
Sonu Nigam is an Indian playback singer whose songs have been featured in numerous Hindi movies, as well as films in Assamese, Punjabi, Bengali, Marathi and Kannada language. He has also released numerous Indi-pop albums and acted in a few Hindi feature films...
, with nearly 20,000 in attendance, which was organised by Oberoi Middle East Events.
Continued success (2001–2004)
In March 2001, Junoon released its sixth studio album, AndazAndaz (album)
-Personnel:All information is taken from the CD.Junoon*Salman Ahmad - vocals, lead guitar*Ali Azmat - vocals, backing vocals*Brian O'Connell - bass guitar, backing vocalsAdditional musicians*Female vocals on "Azadi" by Samina Ahmad...
(titled as Ishq in Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
). The album topped the music charts in Pakistan as well as in the Persian Gulf
Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
and South Asia
South Asia
South Asia, also known as Southern Asia, is the southern region of the Asian continent, which comprises the sub-Himalayan countries and, for some authorities , also includes the adjoining countries to the west and the east...
. The first single entitled "Zamanae Ke Andaz (Saqi-Nama)" made it to #1 in the Persian Gulf and to #5 on the Asian charts. In April, Junoon performed to a sold out concert at the Wembley Arena
Wembley Arena
Wembley Arena is an indoor arena, at Wembley, in the London Borough of Brent. The building is opposite Wembley Stadium.-History:...
in London and went on to perform at the "United for Gujrat" concert, the first South Asian rock concert, held in New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
along with bands from India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
and Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
, singing together to raise funds for the Gujrat Earthquake victims. In June, Salman Ahmad
Salman Ahmad
Salman Ahmad is a Pakistani musician and former actor, who used to be a member of Vital Signs but left after their debut album due to creative differences. He went on to form Junoon, South Asia's biggest and longest-lasting rock band. While still enjoying the success of Junoon, he was involved in...
attended the UN General Assembly in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
where he was appointed as the 'Goodwill Ambassador' of Pakistan by United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
. On June 30, Junoon performed at the Celebrate Brooklyn
Celebrate Brooklyn
Celebrate Brooklyn is one of New York City’s longest running, free, outdoor performing arts festivals. Launched in 1979, as a catalyst for Brooklyn’s performing arts scene and to bring people back into Prospect Park after years of neglect, Celebrate Brooklyn has been an anchor in the park’s...
festival at Prospect Park Bandshell in Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. On July 7, the band performed at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
. In September, Junoon did a concert in Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
with Morten Harket
Morten Harket
Morten Harket is a Norwegian musician, best known as the lead singer of the Norwegian synthpop/rock band A-ha, which released nine studio albums and topped the charts in several countries after their breakthrough hit "Take on Me" in 1985. A-ha disbanded in 2010. Harket has also released four solo...
, lead vocalist of A-ha
A-ha
A-ha were a Norwegian pop band formed in Oslo in 1982. The band was founded by Morten Harket , Magne Furuholmen , and Pål Waaktaar...
, performing a duet "Piya (Ocean of Love)". The same year, the band also made a trip China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
to perform a peace concert.
Following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, Junoon, in the aftermath of the attacks, traveled to the United States for a series of shows at universities and high schools. On October 9, the band played a peace concert at the United Nations (UN). On November 29, the music television channel, VH1
VH1
VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
, aired a special doucmentary, Islamabad: Rock City
Islamabad: Rock City
Islamabad: Rock City is a 2001 documentary film produced by Michael Hirschorn and Shelly Tatro. The film follows the journey of the biggest South Asian rock music band Junoon and struggle they face to become one of the biggest band in the world.-Synopsis:...
, about the group hosted by Susan Sarandon
Susan Sarandon
Susan Sarandon is an American actress. She has worked in films and television since 1969, and won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in the 1995 film Dead Man Walking. She had also been nominated for the award for four films before that and has received other recognition for her...
. On December 25, Junoon had once again been embraced by the Pakistani government, and were even joined on stage by then the President, General Pervez Musharraf, as he invited them to perform at the mausoleum of Pakistan's founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah
Muhammad Ali Jinnah
Muhammad Ali Jinnah was a Muslim lawyer, politician, statesman and the founder of Pakistan. He is popularly and officially known in Pakistan as Quaid-e-Azam and Baba-e-Qaum ....
, on Jinnah's birthday. Although Junoon continues to promote peace and harmony, the band also speaks out on contentious issues that most popular groups avoid. The band served as goodwill ambassadors for HIV/AIDS awareness for the UN and raised several issues.
In 2002, Junoon opened a new chapter by releasing the antiterrorism song "No More" in English, yet another attempt by the group to spread their message to a wider audience. Although, Junoon had previously released English songs on their first two albums, such as "Our Land", "Lady Magic", "Downtown Princes" and "Game Of Chance". The song "No More" is the first English song for which Junoon released a music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
. CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
aired a 30 minute interview of Junoon on the program Talk Asia. They received rave reviews in The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
, Billboard Magazine
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
, The New York Post, Newsweek
Newsweek
Newsweek is an American weekly news magazine published in New York City. It is distributed throughout the United States and internationally. It is the second-largest news weekly magazine in the U.S., having trailed Time in circulation and advertising revenue for most of its existence...
, and others. On March 29, Junoon released their second live album and the overall twelfth album, Daur-e-Junoon
Daur-e-Junoon
Daur-e-Junoon is the second live album and overall the twelfth album released by the Pakistan rock band, Junoon. The album was released on March 29, 2002....
.
On February 16, 2003, Junoon performed at the Basant Festival Show held in Lahore
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
. On May, 5, the band went to Karachi
Karachi
Karachi is the largest city, main seaport and the main financial centre of Pakistan, as well as the capital of the province of Sindh. The city has an estimated population of 13 to 15 million, while the total metropolitan area has a population of over 18 million...
to perform at the PAF Creek Club. On June 18, Junoon performed live at the Royal Albert Hall
Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall situated on the northern edge of the South Kensington area, in the City of Westminster, London, England, best known for holding the annual summer Proms concerts since 1941....
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. On July, 17, the documentary The Rock Star and the Mullahs
The Rock Star and the Mullahs
The Rock Star and the Mullahs is a 2003 documentary film directed by Ruhi Hamid and Angus MacQueen and by producer Pamela Friedman. The film follows the journey of the biggest Southeast Asian rock music band Junoon and regarding music in Islam...
by Wide Angel
Wide Angle (TV series)
Wide Angle is an American documentary television series produced by Thirteen/WNET New York for broadcast on PBS and for worldwide distribution. The weekly one-hour series covers international current affairs and is presently hosted by veteran journalist Aaron Brown...
was aired on BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
based upon Junoon and music in Islam. In December, Junoon released their seventh studio album, Dewaar
Dewaar
Dewaar is the seventh studio album and the thirteenth overall album of the Pakistani band, Junoon released in 2003...
. The single "Garaj Baras
Garaj Baras
"Garaj Baras" is the seventh track on the 2003 album Dewaar by the sufi rock band Junoon. The song is written by the band's vocalist, Ali Azmat and lyricist, Sabir Zafar. The single was selected as part of a Bollywood movie soundtrack in 2003 for the film Paap directed by Pooja Bhatt...
" was selected as the soundtrack of the Bollywood
Bollywood
Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes other production centers producing...
movie Paap
Paap
Paap ) is a 2004 Bollywood film, directed by Pooja Bhatt in her directorial debut, and features John Abraham, Udita Goswami, Gulshan Grover and Mohan Agashe....
directed by Pooja Bhatt
Pooja Bhatt
Pooja Bhatt is an Indian film actress and model, currently devoting time to film production and direction. She is the daughter of Indian film director Mahesh Bhatt.-Early life:...
, the song topped the charts in the country again in 2004. Another single off the album "Pappu Yaar" shot to the #1 spot on the music charts in Pakistan. This was the album which last featured the trio together. After the release of the band's seventh studio album bassist, Brian O'Connell
Brian O'Connell (musician)
Brian O'Connell is an American multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger, record producer and actor. Best known as the bassist and producer for Pakistani sufi rock band Junoon, O'Connell has since gained respect as both a musician and a producer in the Pakistani music industry. O'Connell and Salman...
went back to United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and vocalist, Ali Azmat
Ali Azmat
Ali Azmat is a Ali Azmat is a...
went on to pursue his career as a solo singer. In April 2004, Junoon released their third compilation album, Dewaar: The Best of Junoon
Dewaar: The Best of Junoon
-Personnel:All information is taken from the CD.Junoon*Salman Ahmad - vocals, lead guitar*Ali Azmat - vocals, backing vocals*Brian O'Connell - bass guitar, backing vocalsAdditional musicians*Vocals on "Azadi" by Samina Ahmad...
. In August, Junoon released Ghoom Taana
Ghoom Taana
"Ghoom Taana" is a song by Pakistani sufi rock band Junoon. It was released as the fifth and final single from their seventh full-length studio album, Dewaar. The single also featured in Salman Ahmad's debut solo album, Infiniti. The song was originally sung jointly by Ali Noor, vocalist of Noori,...
video and a special documentary entitled "Building Bridges" which was screened at a launch ceremony in Karachi
Karachi
Karachi is the largest city, main seaport and the main financial centre of Pakistan, as well as the capital of the province of Sindh. The city has an estimated population of 13 to 15 million, while the total metropolitan area has a population of over 18 million...
in time for the Independence Day celebrations of Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
and India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. On October 14, Journeyman Pictures
Journeyman Pictures
Journeyman Pictures is an English independent distributor of topical news features, documentaries and footage. The company publishes "The Journeyman Weekly" and has an archive of over 3,000 films...
released a short film documentary based on Pakistani music featuring local rock bands, Junoon and Fuzön
Fuzon
Fuzon may refer to:*Fuzon , a character from The Book of Ahania by William Blake*Fuzön, a band from Pakistan...
.
Breakup (2005–2008)
DewaarDewaar
Dewaar is the seventh studio album and the thirteenth overall album of the Pakistani band, Junoon released in 2003...
was the album which last featured the trio together. After the release of the album Brian O'Connell
Brian O'Connell (musician)
Brian O'Connell is an American multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger, record producer and actor. Best known as the bassist and producer for Pakistani sufi rock band Junoon, O'Connell has since gained respect as both a musician and a producer in the Pakistani music industry. O'Connell and Salman...
went back to United States. Since his departure, Pakistani musician Mekaal Hasan
Mekaal Hasan
Mekaal Hasan is a leading Pakistani musician and record producer from Lahore. He has worked in the capacity of a guest artist and/or record producer in the music industry of Pakistan with many Pakistani bands and solo artists at home and abroad. He is also the leader and composer for Mekaal Hasan...
and the band's producer John Alec have been playing bass guitar for live shows in place. On February 2, 2005, Junoon performed a charity concert for the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami victims at Alhamra Auditorium
Alhamra Arts Council
Alhamra Arts Council is a name in the World of Architecture in Pakistan. It is a heart of Pakistani architecture because it shows all the traditions and Architecture of Pakistan....
in Lahore
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
. On March 3, Salman Ahmad appeared on the documentary It's My Country Too: Muslim Americans
It's My Country Too: Muslim Americans
It's My Country Too: Muslim Americans is a 2005 documentary film directed by Clifford Bestall and produced by Ruhi Hamid. The film follows the journey of the South Asian rock music band Junoon during their tours to America and the lives of Salman Ahmad and Muslims in the United States, and the...
aired on BBC television
BBC Television
BBC Television is a service of the British Broadcasting Corporation. The corporation, which has operated in the United Kingdom under the terms of a Royal Charter since 1927, has produced television programmes from its own studios since 1932, although the start of its regular service of television...
documentary
Documentary film
Documentary films constitute a broad category of nonfictional motion pictures intended to document some aspect of reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction or maintaining a historical record...
strand This World
This World (television programme)
This World is a BBC television documentary strand, shown in the United Kingdom on BBC Two, and occasionally internationally on BBC World. The subject matter is mainly social issues and current affairs stories from around the world....
. The last Junoon concert to feature Ali Azmat
Ali Azmat
Ali Azmat is a Ali Azmat is a...
took place in Dubai
Dubai
Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates . The emirate is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the largest population with the second-largest land territory by area of all the emirates, after Abu Dhabi...
, UAE in March 2005 after which Ali Azmat went on to pursue his career as a solo singer. Later the same year, he released his debut solo album, Social Circus
Social Circus (album)
Social Circus is the first solo album by Pakistani pop singer and former member of Junoon, Ali Azmat.-Track listing:#"Deewana"#"Mein Chala"#"Mungagan"#"Na Re Na"#"Dil Ki Sira"#"Mein"#"Dil Ne Dil Se Kaha"#"Yar Mere Yar"#"Piyass"#"Dil Ka Jehan"...
. Shehryar Ahmad, the band manager also departed from the band. Salman Ahmad
Salman Ahmad
Salman Ahmad is a Pakistani musician and former actor, who used to be a member of Vital Signs but left after their debut album due to creative differences. He went on to form Junoon, South Asia's biggest and longest-lasting rock band. While still enjoying the success of Junoon, he was involved in...
also released his debut solo album, Infiniti
Infiniti (album)
Infiniti is the debut album of the singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Salman Ahmad. The album was released on July 1, 2005 under the record label EMI. Singles from the album include "Ghoom Taana" and "Al-Vida"...
in July 2005.
In September 2007, Junoon re-released three albums, Parvaaz
Parvaaz
-Personnel:Junoon*Salman Ahmad - vocals, lead guitar*Ali Azmat - vocals, backing vocals*Brian O'Connell - bass guitar, backing vocalsAdditional musicians*Malcolm Goveas - drums*Ashiq Ali Mir - tabla, dholakProduction...
, Azadi
Azadi (album)
Azadi is the fourth studio album and the fifth overall album of the Pakistani sufi rock band, Junoon. The album was released in 1997 and establishes the Sufi rock sound that the band pioneered on their previous album, Inquilaab...
and Infiniti with Magnatune
Magnatune
Magnatune is an American independent record label based in Berkeley, California, founded in spring 2003 by John Buckman, then-CEO of e-mail software company Lyris. It aims at treating both its musicians and its customers fairly—its tagline is "We are not evil"...
. On December 11, Junoon performed at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert
Nobel Peace Prize Concert
The Nobel Peace Prize Concert has been held annually since 1994 on 11 December, one day after the date of Alfred Nobel's death, to honour the Nobel Peace Prize laureate. The award ceremony on 10 December takes place in the Oslo City Hall, while the concert is in the Oslo Spektrum Arena, with the...
in Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
, Norway together with a variety of artists, which was broadcast live to over 100 countries.
On May 25, 2008, Junoon performed in Srinagar
Srinagar
Srinagar is the summer seasonal capital of Jammu and Kashmir. It is situated in Kashmir Valley and lies on the banks of the Jhelum River, a tributary of the Indus. It is one of the largest cities in India not to have a Hindu majority. The city is famous for its gardens, lakes and houseboats...
for the first time and turned thousands of music lovers hysterical. On June 8, Ali Azmat performed a duet of "Garaj Baras
Garaj Baras
"Garaj Baras" is the seventh track on the 2003 album Dewaar by the sufi rock band Junoon. The song is written by the band's vocalist, Ali Azmat and lyricist, Sabir Zafar. The single was selected as part of a Bollywood movie soundtrack in 2003 for the film Paap directed by Pooja Bhatt...
" with Rahat Fateh Ali Khan along with singles from his solo albums at the Coke Studio
Coke Studio
Coke Studio is a Pakistani television series featuring live music performances. Although it is adapted from the original Brazilian show named Estúdio Coca-Cola, it is fundamentally different from the original version where the show was a concert style show whereas the Pakistani version records its...
season one first session. On August 15, Ali Azmat released his second album, Klashinfolk, which was recorded at Mekaal Hasan Studios in Lahore
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
. The album received significant critical acclaim across Pakistan, although, like the previous album, it was not a huge commercial success.
Post-breakup: Rock & Roll Jihad (2009–2010)
Salman continues to take the band to new heights. From performing at the Nobel Peace PrizeNobel Peace Prize
The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the five Nobel Prizes bequeathed by the Swedish industrialist and inventor Alfred Nobel.-Background:According to Nobel's will, the Peace Prize shall be awarded to the person who...
, featuring at the Clinton Global Initiative to performing at the Atlantic City House of Blues
House of Blues
House of Blues is a chain of 13 live music concert halls and restaurants in major markets throughout the United States. House of Blues first location was in Cambridge's Harvard Square. It was opened in 1992 by Isaac Tigrett, co-founder of Hard Rock Cafe, and Dan Aykroyd, star of The Blues Brothers...
with Multi Academy/Grammy winning artist Melissa Etheridge
Melissa Etheridge
Melissa Lou Etheridge is an American rock singer-songwriter and musician.Etheridge is known for her mixture of confessional lyrics, pop-based folk-rock, and raspy, smoky vocals...
after collaborating with her on one of her albums. Salman also featured in the series of Mystical Sufi Tours throughout the US and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. He has performed at various famous educational institutions throughout the world, including places like Oxford, Harvard, Yale, Stanford etc. various times and continues to actively tour and engage college audiences. He also happens to be actively involved as a professor of Islamic Arts at Queens College NY.
On September 12, 2009, Junoon performed at "The Concert for Pakistan" along with other musicians from around the world which included, Outlandish
Outlandish
Outlandish is a multi-award–winning hip-hop group based in Denmark. Formed in 1997, it consists of Isam Bachiri , Waqas Ali Qadri , and Lenny Martinez . All three members are religious, with Isam and Waqas being Muslims and Lenny being Catholic...
, Sting held at the UN General Assembly Hall. At the concert Salman Ahmad also performed on stage with Gavin Rossdale
Gavin Rossdale
Gavin McGregor Rossdale is an English musician, known as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the rock band Bush as well as an actor. Following Bush's separation in 2002, which lasted for eight years, he was the lead singer and guitarist for Institute, and later began a solo career. He...
covering the song "All Along the Watchtower
All Along the Watchtower
"All Along the Watchtower" is a song written and recorded by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan. The song, which has been included on most of Dylan's greatest hits compilations, initially appeared on his 1967 album John Wesley Harding. Over the past 35 years, he has performed it in concert more...
". On November 30, Salman Ahmad, as Junoon, announced that the first single from the upcoming album will be "Love Can You Take Me Back". On January 12, 2010, Salman Ahmad published a book, Rock & Roll Jihad: A Muslim Rock Star's Revolution, regarding his time with Junoon and all the struggle he faced to become a rockstar. On March 14, Junoon released the video of their first single. On March 25, Salman Ahmad was invited at the television programme Good Day L.A.
Good Day L.A.
Good Day L.A. is a television talk show aired on KTTV , the Fox Broadcasting Company-owned and operated station in Los Angeles, California. The show airs Monday through Friday mornings from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM and is simulcast live on myfoxla.com...
where he talked about his soundtrack album and about the book. On June 1, Junoon released the soundtrack album Rock & Roll Jihad
Rock & Roll Jihad
Rock & Roll Jihad is the first soundtrack album and the eighteenth overall album of the Pakistani band, Junoon. The soundtrack is based on Salman Ahmad and Junoon's musical journey...
based on Salman Ahmad and Junoon's musical journey throughout the years.
On July 23, Salman Ahmad was present at the opening ceremony of Masala Mehndi Masti 2010
Masala Mehndi Masti
Masala! Mehndi! Masti! meaning Spice! Henna! Fun! is the largest interdisciplinary South Asian arts and entertainment festival outside of South Asia. This free event takes place annually in Toronto, Ontario, Canada at the Exhibition Place over a three day period...
in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. On July 24, Salman Ahmad with his band performed at the Masala Mehndi Masti 2010. On July 26, Salman Ahmad appeared on the BBC television programme, HARDtalk
HARDtalk
Hardtalk is a flagship BBC television programme, consisting of in-depth half-hour one-on-one interviews.It is broadcast four days a week on BBC World News and the BBC News channel. Launched in 1997, much of its worldwide fame is due to its global reach via BBC World...
, where he talked about religion and music in Islam. In August, Salman Ahmad was interviewed by American music magazine The Rolling Stone, he talked about his novel and the soundtrack album based on the novel. In the interview, Salman informed that in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
the book will be published by Jaico Publishing House
Jaico Publishing House
Jaico Publishing House publishes books in a range of subjects, and is a major publisher in India. Jaico was founded in 1946 by Jaman Shah as a book distribution business for U.S. paperback publishers...
and will be accompanied by a free cd which includes two singles, "Love Can You Take Me Back" and "Bulleya/Lonely Heart
Bulleya
"Bulleya" is a song by the Pakistani sufi rock band Junoon, released in 1999. It is the first track from the band's fifth album, Parvaaz , recorded at Abbey Road Studios, London and released on EMI Records. The song is a famous kafi written by the sufi saint Bulleh Shah...
" and also including two other tracks, "Sayonee
Sayonee
"Sayonee" is a song by the Pakistani sufi rock band Junoon, released in April, 1997. It is the first track from the band's album fourth album, Azadi , released on EMI Records...
" and "Meri Awaz Suno
Meri Awaz Suno
-Personnel:Junoon*Salman Ahmad - vocals, lead guitar*Ali Azmat - vocals, backing vocals*Brian O'Connell - bass guitar, backing vocalsAdditional musicians*Ustad Aashiq Ali - Tambourin, Tabla-External links:* *...
". Salman also confirmed that he's currently working on a new Junoon album release, which will release in next year. On August 16, in an interview with BBC World Service
BBC World Service
The BBC World Service is the world's largest international broadcaster, broadcasting in 27 languages to many parts of the world via analogue and digital shortwave, internet streaming and podcasting, satellite, FM and MW relays...
, Salman Ahmad confirmed that he's writing a song named "Khwab" for the Pakistan flood
2010 Pakistan floods
The 2010 Pakistan floods began in late July 2010, resulting from heavy monsoon rains in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan regions of Pakistan and affected the Indus River basin. Approximately one-fifth of Pakistan's total land area was underwater, approximately...
victims in order to raise funds for them. He also confirmed that the song will be internationally released within a few week's time and hopes to record it with Pakistani and Western artists. After a few days, it was confirmed that Salman Ahmad will collaborate with Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel
Peter Brian Gabriel is an English singer, musician, and songwriter who rose to fame as the lead vocalist and flautist of the progressive rock group Genesis. After leaving Genesis, Gabriel went on to a successful solo career...
on the song "Khwab", in an attempt to raise funds for the Pakistan flood victims. On August 25, Salman Ahmad talked to Dutch TV about organizing a charity concert with various artists to collect money for the flood victims in Pakistan. In September, Salman Ahmad confirmed that he has collaborated with Alison Sudol on the song "Pakistan Humara" (first named "Khwab", later named "Open Your Eyes") for the Pakistan flood victims. Salman further added that Peter Gabriel will be bringing his genius to the song on September 6. “Will try and send a picture from the studio”, says Salman.
In an interview with ABC News
ABC News
ABC News is the news gathering and broadcasting division of American broadcast television network ABC, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company...
, it was confirmed that both the U.S. & British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
governments have enlisted Salman Ahmad to speak against extremism. On October 29, Salman Ahmad released the song "Open Your Eyes" with Peter Gabriel and Alison Sudol for the Pakistan flood relief. The song was launched on November 2, to be downloaded from digital music sites globally. Each dollar for download will go to Pakistan flood relief through their charity organisation, Salman and Samina Global Wellness initiative (SSGWI). After the release of "Open Your Eyes", Peter Gabriel offered Salman Ahmad to record a complete album with his Real World Records
Real World Records
Real World Records is a record label started in 1989 by Peter Gabriel to record and produce world music.-Overview:The label grew up alongside the success of the WOMAD festivals and Peter Gabriel's exploration of music from other cultures, and helped push world music into the general public's...
label next year. Salman Ahmad also confirmed that he's working on a duet with American artist and producer David Sisko who has worked for the likes of Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake
Justin Randall Timberlake is an American pop musician and actor. He achieved early fame when he appeared as a contestant on Star Search, and went on to star in the Disney Channel television series The New Mickey Mouse Club, where he met future bandmate JC Chasez...
& Gwen Stefani
Gwen Stefani
Gwen Renée Stefani is an American singer-songwriter and fashion designer. Stefani is the lead vocalist for the rock and ska band No Doubt. Stefani recorded her first solo album Love. Angel. Music. Baby. in 2004. The album was inspired by music of the 1980s, and was a success with sales of over...
.
Reunion: Junoon's 20th anniversary (2011-present)
On January 26, 2011, Junoon performed at Lahore University of Management SciencesLahore University of Management Sciences
The Lahore University of Management Sciences, usually referred to by its acronym LUMS, is a university located in Lahore, Pakistan. LUMS was established in 1984 by a group of industrialists and people belonging to Pakistan's leading private and public sector corporations, to provide rigorous...
for United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
HIV/AIDS campaign. On March 16, the single "Pakistan Humara" in collaboration with Peter Gabriel was dedicated to the Pakistan cricket team playing at the 2011 Cricket World Cup
2011 Cricket World Cup
The 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup was the tenth Cricket World Cup. It was played in India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. It was Bangladesh's first time co-hosting a World Cup...
. On March 18, Junoon performed at The College of William & Mary as part of W&M's Asian studies initiative. On March 23, Junoon launched the music video of the single "Pakistan Humara" directed by Asad Pathan. On June 19, Junoon performed at the Festival Mundial held in Tilburg
Tilburg
Tilburg is a landlocked municipality and a city in the Netherlands, located in the southern province of Noord-Brabant.Tilburg municipality also includes the villages of Berkel-Enschot and Udenhout....
, Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
.
On August 12, in an interview with The Express Tribune
The Express Tribune
The Express Tribune is the first internationally affiliated newspaper in Pakistan, in partnership with The International Herald Tribune, the global edition of The New York Times....
Ahmad confirmed that he is set to celebrate Junoon’s 20th anniversary with the band's former bassist Brian O'Connell
Brian O'Connell (musician)
Brian O'Connell is an American multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger, record producer and actor. Best known as the bassist and producer for Pakistani sufi rock band Junoon, O'Connell has since gained respect as both a musician and a producer in the Pakistani music industry. O'Connell and Salman...
. “We are reaching Junoon’s 20th anniversary, so I’m excited about more projects coming up regarding that,” Ahmad told The Express Tribune. Ahmad also confirmed that Junoon’s 20th anniversary celebration concert will be held at the Asia Society on September 24 in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. The band also announced that it will release an album to mark two decades of Junoon. The album will be featuring Strings
Strings (band)
Strings are an internationally acclaimed pop rock band comprising two members from Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. The band was initially formed by four college students, Bilal Maqsood , Faisal Kapadia , Rafiq Wazir Ali and Kareem Bashir Bhoy in 1988...
, Bilal Khan, Outlandish
Outlandish
Outlandish is a multi-award–winning hip-hop group based in Denmark. Formed in 1997, it consists of Isam Bachiri , Waqas Ali Qadri , and Lenny Martinez . All three members are religious, with Isam and Waqas being Muslims and Lenny being Catholic...
, Aag, Usman Riaz and Laal
Laal (band)
Laal is a musical band from Pakistan known for singing socialist political songs, especially on the poetry written by leftist Urdu poets such as Faiz Ahmed Faiz and Habib Jalib...
’s Taimur Rahman
Taimur Rahman
Taimur Rahman is an academic, political activist and a musician from Pakistan. He is the band leader and spokesperson for the music group named Laal. His father Rashid Rahman is the editor of Daily Times. He is also the General Secretary of the Communist Mazdoor Kissan Party. He was involved with...
. Shoaib Mansoor
Shoaib Mansoor
Shoaib Mansoor , PP, SI, is an acclaimed Pakistani film and television producer, director, writer, lyricist and composer.-Career:...
will be writing lyrics for the band's anniversary album.
Music
Language
On their debut album Junoon and their second album TalaashTalaash
-Personnel:All information is taken from the CD.Junoon*Salman Ahmad - vocals, lead guitar*Ali Azmat - vocals, backing vocals*Brian O'Connell - bass guitar, backing vocalsAdditional musicians*Bass guitars played by Assad Ahmed...
, songs were written in both the English and Urdu languages, but since then the band has only written songs in Urdu, with the only exceptions being "No More" from the live album Junoon for Peace
Junoon for Peace
Junoon for Peace is the first live album and the eleventh overall album by the Pakistani band, Junoon. The album was recorded live on October 27, 2001....
and the single "Piya (Ocean of Love)", which is a duet with Morten Harket
Morten Harket
Morten Harket is a Norwegian musician, best known as the lead singer of the Norwegian synthpop/rock band A-ha, which released nine studio albums and topped the charts in several countries after their breakthrough hit "Take on Me" in 1985. A-ha disbanded in 2010. Harket has also released four solo...
of A-ha
A-ha
A-ha were a Norwegian pop band formed in Oslo in 1982. The band was founded by Morten Harket , Magne Furuholmen , and Pål Waaktaar...
. The soundtrack album Rock & Roll Jihad
Rock & Roll Jihad
Rock & Roll Jihad is the first soundtrack album and the eighteenth overall album of the Pakistani band, Junoon. The soundtrack is based on Salman Ahmad and Junoon's musical journey...
released in 2010 contain five tracks written in English by Salman Ahmad
Salman Ahmad
Salman Ahmad is a Pakistani musician and former actor, who used to be a member of Vital Signs but left after their debut album due to creative differences. He went on to form Junoon, South Asia's biggest and longest-lasting rock band. While still enjoying the success of Junoon, he was involved in...
.
Influence
Salman AhmadSalman Ahmad
Salman Ahmad is a Pakistani musician and former actor, who used to be a member of Vital Signs but left after their debut album due to creative differences. He went on to form Junoon, South Asia's biggest and longest-lasting rock band. While still enjoying the success of Junoon, he was involved in...
, writer of most of the band's lyrics and music scores
Sheet music
Sheet music is a hand-written or printed form of music notation that uses modern musical symbols; like its analogs—books, pamphlets, etc.—the medium of sheet music typically is paper , although the access to musical notation in recent years includes also presentation on computer screens...
, says that he gets most of his inspiration for Junoon's songs from Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan music. Songs like "Lal Meri Pat" (from Azadi
Azadi (album)
Azadi is the fourth studio album and the fifth overall album of the Pakistani sufi rock band, Junoon. The album was released in 1997 and establishes the Sufi rock sound that the band pioneered on their previous album, Inquilaab...
), "Dharti" (from Andaz
Andaz (album)
-Personnel:All information is taken from the CD.Junoon*Salman Ahmad - vocals, lead guitar*Ali Azmat - vocals, backing vocals*Brian O'Connell - bass guitar, backing vocalsAdditional musicians*Female vocals on "Azadi" by Samina Ahmad...
) and "Mera Mahi" (from Inquilaab
Inquilaab
-Personnel:All information is taken from the CD.Junoon*Salman Ahmad - vocals, lead guitar*Ali Azmat - vocals, backing vocals*Brian O'Connell - bass guitar, backing vocalsAdditional musicians*Drums by Malcolm Goveas*Tablas and Dholak by Ashiq Ali Mir...
) are some examples of this influence. Other songs, such as "Garaj Baras
Garaj Baras
"Garaj Baras" is the seventh track on the 2003 album Dewaar by the sufi rock band Junoon. The song is written by the band's vocalist, Ali Azmat and lyricist, Sabir Zafar. The single was selected as part of a Bollywood movie soundtrack in 2003 for the film Paap directed by Pooja Bhatt...
" and "Taara Jala" (from Dewaar
Dewaar
Dewaar is the seventh studio album and the thirteenth overall album of the Pakistani band, Junoon released in 2003...
) have elements of hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
, and some others, like "Yaar Bina
Yaar Bina
-Personnel:Junoon*Salman Ahmad - vocals, lead guitar*Ali Azmat - vocals, backing vocals*Brian O'Connell - bass guitar, backing vocalsAdditional musicians*Ustad Aashiq Ali - Tambourin, Tabla-External links:* *...
" (from Azadi), "Zamane Ke Andaz" (from Andaz) and the album Parvaaz
Parvaaz
-Personnel:Junoon*Salman Ahmad - vocals, lead guitar*Ali Azmat - vocals, backing vocals*Brian O'Connell - bass guitar, backing vocalsAdditional musicians*Malcolm Goveas - drums*Ashiq Ali Mir - tabla, dholakProduction...
have elements of classical music
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
. Bands stated as influence include Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
, Van Halen
Van Halen
Van Halen is an American hard rock band formed in Pasadena, California, in 1972. The band has enjoyed success since the release of its debut album, Van Halen, . As of 2007 Van Halen has sold 80 million albums worldwide and has had the most #1 hits on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart...
, U2
U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
, Bee Gees
Bee Gees
The Bee Gees are a musical group that originally comprised three brothers: Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb. The trio was successful for most of their 40-plus years of recording music, but they had two distinct periods of exceptional success: as a pop act in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and as a...
, A-ha
A-ha
A-ha were a Norwegian pop band formed in Oslo in 1982. The band was founded by Morten Harket , Magne Furuholmen , and Pål Waaktaar...
and Queen
Queen (band)
Queen are a British rock band formed in London in 1971, originally consisting of Freddie Mercury , Brian May , John Deacon , and Roger Taylor...
.
Poetry by famous poets like Maulana Rumi, Allama Iqbal and Bulleh Shah
Bulleh Shah
Bulleh Shah was a Punjabi Sufi poet, a humanist and philosopher.-Early life:Bulleh Shah is believed to have been born in 1680, in the small village of Uch, Bahawalpur, Punjab, in present day Pakistan. His father, Shah Muhammad Darwaish, was a teacher and preacher in a village mosque...
are also a big influence on Junoon's music. The album Parvaaz is a tribute album to Bulleh Shah and is mostly based on Bulleh Shah's poetry. The songs "Zamane Ke Andaz", from the album Andaz, and "Khudi", from the album Azadi, are poems by Allama Iqbal.
On the other hand, Junoon has also been noted as a source of inspiration for other bands. Atif Aslam
Atif Aslam
Atif Aslam is a Pakistani pop singer. He is widely recognized in South Asia and has given several hit songs such as Aadat, Woh Lamhe, Tere Bin, Bakhuda Tumhi Ho, Pehli Nazar Mein, Tera Hone Laga Hoon, Tu Jaane Na, Tere Liye. He is one of the most popular South Asian celebrity on Facebook with...
, former lead vocalist of rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band Jal
JAL
JAL or Jal can mean the following:* Japan Airlines, ICAO airline designator: JAL* El Lencero Airport in Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico * JAL , a compiler for the PIC microcontroller* The state of Jalisco in México...
, has done many covers of Junoon's music, most notably "Dosti" of which a video was also released. Atif Aslam also acknowledged that Junoon had greatly inspired him. Goher Mumtaz, lead guitarist of Jal, has also shown fondness for Junoon and acknowledged that some early work of the band has inspired him. In an interview, internationally acclaimed pop rock
Pop rock
Pop rock is a music genre which mixes a catchy pop style and light lyrics in its guitar-based rock songs. There are varying definitions of the term, ranging from a slower and mellower form of rock music to a subgenre of pop music...
band Strings
Strings (band)
Strings are an internationally acclaimed pop rock band comprising two members from Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. The band was initially formed by four college students, Bilal Maqsood , Faisal Kapadia , Rafiq Wazir Ali and Kareem Bashir Bhoy in 1988...
have acknowledged that Junoon has been influential to the band for making a comeback in the local music industry in 2000. In 2007, Strings performed a cover of Junoon's single version of "Lal Meri Pat" at Oslo Mela. Underground local band, Jumbo Jutt paid tribute to Junoon by covering their single "Sajna". Pakistani rock band Call performed a live session cover of Junoon's hit song "Bulleya
Bulleya
"Bulleya" is a song by the Pakistani sufi rock band Junoon, released in 1999. It is the first track from the band's fifth album, Parvaaz , recorded at Abbey Road Studios, London and released on EMI Records. The song is a famous kafi written by the sufi saint Bulleh Shah...
" on Indus Music. India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n singer Harshdeep Kaur
Harshdeep Kaur
Harshdeep Kaur is an Indian playback singer known for her Sufi songs.-Biography:Harshdeep Kaur was born on 16 December 1986 in a Sikh family in Delhi and inherited music from her father, Savinder Singh, who owns a factory of musical instruments. Apart from studying, she started learning music at...
have covered Junoon's single "Saeein
Saeein
-Cover versions:* 2008: Harshdeep Kaur * 2011: Usman Riaz -Personnel:Junoon...
" in many live performances. The instrumental song "Aap Aur Hum" (also known as "Jugalbandi", from Talaash
Talaash
-Personnel:All information is taken from the CD.Junoon*Salman Ahmad - vocals, lead guitar*Ali Azmat - vocals, backing vocals*Brian O'Connell - bass guitar, backing vocalsAdditional musicians*Bass guitars played by Assad Ahmed...
) was covered by American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rock band Black Clover Leaf, adding vocals to the instrumental and releasing it on their self-titled debut album as "Breathe", in 2009.
Musical style
Junoon performs a blend of western music and classical eastern poetry. Junoon aimed to combine loud guitar riffs with the tranquility of sufi poetry by the likes of Maulana Rumi, Shah HussainShah Hussain
Shah Hussain was a Punjabi Sufi poet who is regarded as a Sufi saint. He was the son of Sheikh Usman, a weaver, and belonged to the Dhudha clan of Rajputs. He was born in Lahore...
, Bulleh Shah
Bulleh Shah
Bulleh Shah was a Punjabi Sufi poet, a humanist and philosopher.-Early life:Bulleh Shah is believed to have been born in 1680, in the small village of Uch, Bahawalpur, Punjab, in present day Pakistan. His father, Shah Muhammad Darwaish, was a teacher and preacher in a village mosque...
and Allama Iqbal. Their music has been based on worldly issues and to have peace in the world. Their music has been one major force which has truly kept the national spirits high amidst the prevailing social woes which have surely worsened in the last three decades. Songs like "Jazba-e-Junoon
Jazba-e-Junoon
"Jazba-e-Junoon" is a song by the Pakistani sufi rock band Junoon. It is the thirteenth and final track from the band's album third album, Inquilaab , released on EMI Records...
", "Talaash
Talaash (song)
"Talaash" is a song by the Pakistani sufi rock band Junoon. It is the seventh track and the only single released from the band's second album, Talaash , released on EMI Records. Written by lead vocalist and guitarist Salman Ahmad, it is the lead single on the album...
", "Main Kaun Hoon" and "Sayonee
Sayonee
"Sayonee" is a song by the Pakistani sufi rock band Junoon, released in April, 1997. It is the first track from the band's album fourth album, Azadi , released on EMI Records...
" are examples. Their music has been captivating to the Pakistani youth for over ten years and have been the only saving grace of Pakistani music internationally after the departure of groups like Vital Signs
Vital Signs (band)
Vital Signs were a Pakistani Pop rock band that formed in Rawalpindi in 1986. The group was formed by Rohail Hyatt and Shahzad Hasan , who were soon joined by Nusrat Hussain and Junaid Jamshed...
and Nazia and Zoheb
Nazia and Zoheb
Nazia bakhsi and Zoheb were a Pakistani pop group from Karachi, Sindh formed in 1980. The group consisted of two siblings, Nazia Hassan and Zoheb Hassan, who were a singing sensation and pop icons in Pakistan and all of South Asia. They are also regarded as pioneers of the Pakistani pop music scene...
. Junoon's music has also been compared by some critics with the likes of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Lata Mangeshkar
Lata Mangeshkar
Lata Mangeshkar is a singer from India. She is one of the best-known and most respected playback singers in India. Mangeshkar's career started in 1942 and has spanned over six and a half decades. She has recorded songs for over a thousand Hindi films and has sung songs in over thirty-six regional...
.
While the music of Junoon is centered around a male lead singer, the band has also featured some female vocals on their albums ever since their self-titled debut release Junoon. Since the release of their third studio album Inquilaab
Inquilaab
-Personnel:All information is taken from the CD.Junoon*Salman Ahmad - vocals, lead guitar*Ali Azmat - vocals, backing vocals*Brian O'Connell - bass guitar, backing vocalsAdditional musicians*Drums by Malcolm Goveas*Tablas and Dholak by Ashiq Ali Mir...
the band's music has been based on classical eastern poetry blending with western music. Their seventh studio album Dewaar
Dewaar
Dewaar is the seventh studio album and the thirteenth overall album of the Pakistani band, Junoon released in 2003...
featured elements of hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
music with songs like "Garaj Baras
Garaj Baras
"Garaj Baras" is the seventh track on the 2003 album Dewaar by the sufi rock band Junoon. The song is written by the band's vocalist, Ali Azmat and lyricist, Sabir Zafar. The single was selected as part of a Bollywood movie soundtrack in 2003 for the film Paap directed by Pooja Bhatt...
" and "Dewaar".
Live performances
As the band started to gain success after the release of their third studio album InquilaabInquilaab
-Personnel:All information is taken from the CD.Junoon*Salman Ahmad - vocals, lead guitar*Ali Azmat - vocals, backing vocals*Brian O'Connell - bass guitar, backing vocalsAdditional musicians*Drums by Malcolm Goveas*Tablas and Dholak by Ashiq Ali Mir...
, Junoon went on their first full scale tour of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, performing from Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
, to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
where the appeared at the House of Blues
House of Blues
House of Blues is a chain of 13 live music concert halls and restaurants in major markets throughout the United States. House of Blues first location was in Cambridge's Harvard Square. It was opened in 1992 by Isaac Tigrett, co-founder of Hard Rock Cafe, and Dan Aykroyd, star of The Blues Brothers...
and from there to New York's Roosevelt Hotel
Roosevelt Hotel (New York)
The Roosevelt Hotel is at Madison Avenue and 45th Street in midtown Manhattan, named in honor of President Theodore Roosevelt. The New York City hotel opened on September 22, 1924. The hotel closed in 1995 and reopened in 1997 after a $65-million extensive renovation.-Guest rooms:There are a total...
, which featured in Newsweek Magazine.
During the tour to India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
in 1997, Junoon saw crowds of as many as of 50,000 fans at different venues. The band was courted for a controversy during their tour to India by the Pakistani government. The Indian government was testing nuclear devices at that time, and Salman Ahmad
Salman Ahmad
Salman Ahmad is a Pakistani musician and former actor, who used to be a member of Vital Signs but left after their debut album due to creative differences. He went on to form Junoon, South Asia's biggest and longest-lasting rock band. While still enjoying the success of Junoon, he was involved in...
suggested that the Indian and Pakistani leaders should spend more on education and health and less on weapons. This led to a prolonged ban on Junoon's music by the Pakistani government. PTV
Pakistan Television Corporation
The Pakistan Television Corporation is Pakistan's national television broadcaster. The first live transmission of PTV began on November 26, 1964, in Lahore...
, the Pakistan state television, refused to show the audience even clips from Junoon releases.
Junoon also became the first band ever to perform at an UN conference when they performed their Millennium Peace concert held in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. For their performances they were presented with an award, "Outstanding Achievements in Music and Peace", by UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
.
One of the most popular concerts that Junoon performed was their tour to Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
and Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
in 2000-2001. This tour played a pivotal role in increasing Junoon's international popularity and standing and in spreading awareness about Pakistani music. During their tour to Denmark they became the first Asian band to perform at the Roskilde Festival
Roskilde Festival
Roskilde Festival is a festival held south of Roskilde in Denmark and is one of the six biggest annual music festivals in Europe . It was created in 1971 by two high school students, Mogens Sandfær and Jesper Switzer Møller, and promoter Carl Fischer...
along with many well known bands and musicians like Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam is an American rock band that formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1990. Since its inception, the band's line-up has included Eddie Vedder , Jeff Ament , Stone Gossard , and Mike McCready...
, Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from Leyton in east London, formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Since their inception, the band's discography has grown to include a total of thirty-six albums: fifteen studio albums; eleven live albums; four EPs; and six...
, The Cure
The Cure
The Cure are an English rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex in 1976. The band has experienced several line-up changes, with frontman, vocalist, guitarist and principal songwriter Robert Smith being the only constant member...
, Queensrÿche
Queensrÿche
thumb|250px|right|Queensrÿche's classic line-up performing at the [[Sauna Open Air Metal Festival]] 2011 in [[Tampere]], [[Finland]]. Left to right: bass Eddie Jackson, lead vocals Geoff Tate, drums Scott Rockenfield and guitars Michael Wilton....
and many other well known artists from around the world. On September 5, 2001, Junoon performed in Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
with Morten Harket of A-ha as they performed a duet, "Piya (Ocean of Love)", at the Oslo Spektrum
Oslo Spektrum
Oslo Spektrum is an indoor multi-purpose arena in east central Oslo, Norway. It opened in December 1990. It is currently owned and operated by Norges Varemesse , who also own and operate the Norges Varemesse conference center in Lillestrøm which is Norway's largest conference center...
which attracted a crowd of about 3000 people.
Awards and nominations
Junoon won the "Best International Group" award at the Channel V AwardsChannel V
Channel [V] is the brand name for multiple international music television networks owned by STAR TV and Fox International Channels, fully owned subsidiaries of News Corporation.-Channel [V] International:...
in 1998. Junoon have received one nominee from the Lux Style Awards
Lux Style Awards
The Lux Style Awards is an award ceremony held annually in Pakistan since 2002. The awards celebrate "style" in the Pakistani entertainment industry, and honour the country's best talents in film, television, music, and fashion. Around 30 awards are given annually.The Lux Style Awards is considered...
and ARY The Musik Awards
The Musik
ARY Musik is a 24-hour Urdu-English music channel from Pakistan.Originally created and launched from Dubai in 2003 under the leadership of the CEO Salman Iqbal and multiple Award Winner VP Wiqar Ali Khan...
but has not received an award; Junoon already won awards from Indus Music Awards and from ARY Asian/Bollywood Awards. Junoon has also been awarded several awards for their contribution towards peace and South East culture by BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
, UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
and South Asian Journalists Association
South Asian Journalists Association
The South Asian Journalists Association was founded in 1994 in New York City. South Asia refers to India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Bangladesh and Nepal. The current president is Jigar Mehta, Previously a Video Journalist for the New York Times.SAJA celebrates its 15th anniversary July...
.
Discography
Studio albums- Junoon (1991)
- TalaashTalaash-Personnel:All information is taken from the CD.Junoon*Salman Ahmad - vocals, lead guitar*Ali Azmat - vocals, backing vocals*Brian O'Connell - bass guitar, backing vocalsAdditional musicians*Bass guitars played by Assad Ahmed...
(1993) - InquilaabInquilaab-Personnel:All information is taken from the CD.Junoon*Salman Ahmad - vocals, lead guitar*Ali Azmat - vocals, backing vocals*Brian O'Connell - bass guitar, backing vocalsAdditional musicians*Drums by Malcolm Goveas*Tablas and Dholak by Ashiq Ali Mir...
(1996) - AzadiAzadi (album)Azadi is the fourth studio album and the fifth overall album of the Pakistani sufi rock band, Junoon. The album was released in 1997 and establishes the Sufi rock sound that the band pioneered on their previous album, Inquilaab...
(1997) - ParvaazParvaaz-Personnel:Junoon*Salman Ahmad - vocals, lead guitar*Ali Azmat - vocals, backing vocals*Brian O'Connell - bass guitar, backing vocalsAdditional musicians*Malcolm Goveas - drums*Ashiq Ali Mir - tabla, dholakProduction...
(1999) - AndazAndaz (album)-Personnel:All information is taken from the CD.Junoon*Salman Ahmad - vocals, lead guitar*Ali Azmat - vocals, backing vocals*Brian O'Connell - bass guitar, backing vocalsAdditional musicians*Female vocals on "Azadi" by Samina Ahmad...
(2001) - DewaarDewaarDewaar is the seventh studio album and the thirteenth overall album of the Pakistani band, Junoon released in 2003...
(2003)
Band members
Current members- Salman AhmadSalman AhmadSalman Ahmad is a Pakistani musician and former actor, who used to be a member of Vital Signs but left after their debut album due to creative differences. He went on to form Junoon, South Asia's biggest and longest-lasting rock band. While still enjoying the success of Junoon, he was involved in...
- vocals, lead guitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
(1990–present) - Brian O'ConnellBrian O'Connell (musician)Brian O'Connell is an American multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger, record producer and actor. Best known as the bassist and producer for Pakistani sufi rock band Junoon, O'Connell has since gained respect as both a musician and a producer in the Pakistani music industry. O'Connell and Salman...
– bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, backing vocalsBacking vocalistA backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists...
(1992–2003, 2011–present)
Former members
- Nusrat HussainNusrat HussainNusrat Hussain began playing keyboards with bands that his friends formed in Islamabad. He began his professional career in the music industry with Vital Signs...
– keyboardKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
(1990–1992) - Ali AzmatAli AzmatAli Azmat is a Ali Azmat is a...
– vocals, backing vocalsBacking vocalistA backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists...
, Rhythm guitarRhythm guitarRhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
(1990–2005)
Published sources
- Boston Globe, May 2, 2002, p. B1.
- HeraldHerald (Pakistan)The Herald is a monthly magazine published in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. It is a political magazine owned by Pakistan Herald Publications Limited , which also publishes the Dawn Group of Newspapers. It is considered to be a neutral magazine and produces many large or breaking stories...
, May 2003. - Journal News (Westchester, NY)The Journal NewsThe Journal News is a newspaper in New York serving the suburban New York City counties of Westchester, Rockland, and Putnam, a region known as the Lower Hudson Valley. It is owned by the Gannett Company, Inc. The Journal News was created through a merger of several daily community newspapers...
, June 30, 2001, p. B3. - Los Angeles TimesLos Angeles TimesThe Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
, August 7, 1998, p. 6. - San Francisco ChronicleSan Francisco Chroniclethumb|right|upright|The Chronicle Building following the [[1906 San Francisco earthquake|1906 earthquake]] and fireThe San Francisco Chronicle is a newspaper serving primarily the San Francisco Bay Area of the U.S. state of California, but distributed throughout Northern and Central California,...
, February 10, 2003, p. A1. - Seattle Times, May 2, 2002, p. F3