'Hope to celebrate polio eradication and Junoon's silver anniversary together': Salman Ahmed

Salman Ahmed gears up to launch album celebrating 25 years of Junoon

KARACHI: Even with the band we loved long gone, there is still a bit of Junoon left in the world. Salman Ahmed, ex-member of the one of Pakistan’s most iconic Sufi rock bands, has been performing in different countries using the band’s stage name despite the fact that the original trio, that included Brian O’Connell and Ali Azmat, have parted ways. The guitarist recently announced his plans for what would have Junoon’s 25th anniversary, coming up in August.

Ahmed, who is also the UN Goodwill Ambassador for Polio, had relayed his plans to The Express Tribune earlier this year as well. The singer-activist is all set to release a brand new album titled Junoon25, along with various music videos to commemorate the silver jubilee of Pakistan’s favourite band. He shared that the album will contain covers, some unreleased demo versions and brand new tracks made in collaboration with international artistes. “The new songs have been recorded and produced both in the US and Pakistan. The redone versions include duets with Ali Zafar (Mein aur Tum), Peter Gabriel (Open Your Eyes), Sunidhi Chauhan (Yaaro) and Vital Signs,” he said.



Ahmed further added that an international Junoon25 tour has also been planned with guest musicians slated to join at different venues across the world. The question still remains; will fans ever get to see the original members of Junoon rock the stage once again? “Junoon fans want to see a reunion so I have reached out to Ali and Brian to join the Junoon 25 tour. I would be happy to see us come together for Junoonis all around the world.” And with that Ahmed left some light at the end of the tunnel for die-hard Junoonis.

However, apart from organising tours, concerts, album launches and commemorative souvenirs to mark the band’s milestone, Ahmed’s primary focus lies in working towards eliminating the crippling endemic from Pakistan. “After so much hardship and pain, our country is in dire need of good news, unity and healing. In the coming months, we hope to celebrate both Junoon’s silver anniversary and the eradication of polio from the planet. This will be a huge achievement for Pakistan and its people,” he shared.



The original line-up for the band may have gone separate ways, with most pursuing solo careers, but the band’s legacy remains matchless. “Even after 25 years, Junoon’s music has stood the test of time. When it comes to our musical legacy, the struggle for retaining your authenticity in art and life is a tough battle,” explained the guitarist.  He added that he was always reminded of a quote by Schopenhauer when he thought of Junoon’s journey over the years; ‘All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident’. Recalling a recent incident he said, “At a concert in February, a mother brought her teenage daughter to the show. She had named her Sayonee after our song, because the mother back then had been an ardent Junoon fan. When I met the girl, she told me that she’s learning to play the guitar just like me. That is the power of Junoon’s music across generations and borders.”

While one hopes to see the day Ali, Salman and Brian take the stage together once again, the ex-lead vocalist has repeatedly stated that a reunion is off the table. “I have countless memories with Ali and Brian who I’ve known all my life. But Junoon has been performing all over the world even without them. Musicians come and go but the band keeps on rolling along with the years,” said Salman.

Junoon25 is slated to launch in August later this year. “Since our first album, Junoon, was recorded in Karachi and released in August 1991, in a couple of months, we will be launching the year of Junoon, globally in grand style,” shared the guitarist.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 1^st, 2016.

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