Four decades of a lifetime, Aamir Zaki (1968-2017)
Aamir Zaki, 49, passed away in Karachi on June 2, 2017, due to a cardiac arrest
(Web Desk) - Aamir Zaki started off his career as a guitarist, composer and songwriter in Pakistan, before gaining international fame. Pop vocalist Alamgir discovered Zaki when he was just a local guitar player. Zaki was inspired by Randy Rhodes, no wonder he made the Flying V guitar by watching him play.
Zaki pursued his career as Alamgir’s lead guitarist and toured with Alamgir while being just a teenager who performed in various countries like the United States and Europe. Zaki contributed in two of Alamgir’s superhit songs “Keh De Na" and "Albela Rahi”. After the tour, Zaki performed as a guitarist in rock bands like The Barbarians, Axe Attack and Scratch. Axe Attack was Pakistan’s first band to produce an English album, in which Zaki wrote songs and played guitar. Although the album never received any recognition in the country, Zaki continued on his voyage.
Shared musical journey of Alamgir and Zaki:
In 1994, Zaki became the lead guitarist for Vital Signs and worked with Junaid Jamshed and Rohail Hyatt, by replacing Rizwan-ul-Haq. He joined the popular band for just three songs and played with them on the toured before being replaced by Asad Ahmed. Zaki was again asked to be the lead guitarist for the band after Hyatt’s exit. He performed with Junaid Jamshed and Shahzad Hassan on the US tour. Vital Signs’ album Hum Tum still contains the touch of class from the strings maestro.
Tmhari Ankhon Mein by Aamir Zaki:
Aamir Zaki released his debut album Signature in 1995. The instrumental album awarded him a gold disc by Soundcraft UK. He did a comeback English album in 2007, named Rough Cut, featuring the vocals of talented Hadiqa Kiani and the intermingling sounds of different musical instruments. But Signature was the album that made Zaki a household name as his songs were broadcasted on the FM radio.
He sung Karachi Ki Laila in episode 4 of Cornetto Music Icons.
When Zoheb Hassan made a comeback through Coke Studio Season 7 in 2014, Zaki featured in the song as the guest musicians (lead guitarist). He had played Micro Tone and Raag Shiv Ranjaani on guitar for the first time on TV.
Zaki s English song Be With U with Hadiqa Kiani:
Be With U - Hadiqa Kiani & Aamir Zaki (Official Video) from ApniISP on Vimeo.
There are not many musicians who have consistently maintained a broad fan base in the masses during lifespan. Every time when he used to come out on the stage to perform, audience would go gaga and chant the names of his hit numbers. When Zaki performed in Karachi during 2015 after so many years of absence from the spotlight, crowd cheered him throughout his stage presence. No one could resist singing along when he played Mera Pyar , Mohabat Blues and Badnaam .
Video: Mera Pyar by Aamir Zaki
Shehzad Roy s tribute to Zaki:
True genius,colleague,guitarist Aamir zaki passed away.Was just listening to his him earlier today after a longtime https://t.co/SZv3iqslqn
— Shehzad Roy (@ShehzadRoy) June 2, 2017
