PHOTO: EXPRESS
KARACHI: People from the showbiz industry including musicians, artists and singers expressed their condolences and paid rich tribute to guitar maestro Aamir Zaki who died in Karachi on Friday at the age of 49.
Recalling the childhood days he spent with Zaki, Asad Ahmed of Vital Signs said, “We go way back. We went to school together and started playing around the same time in late 80s. He was very talented and used to play guitar with Alamgir.”
While talking about Zaki’s incredible skills of playing guitar, Ahmed said, “He also played in my other band The Barbarians. I must say he was the most talented guitarist I ever came across in Pakistan,” adding, “But not just as a musician, even as a person, he was humble and likeable.”
Guitarist Aamir Zaki passes away at 49
Ahmed went on to say that Zaki was a great teacher as well and that he inspired many people. “He inspired them to just pick up an instrument and play, and when someone like him goes away, it doesn’t really feel good.”
Fuzon band member Imran Momina, aka Emu, said: “He was the most influential guitarist in Pakistan and we have been honoured to play with him several times.”
Zaki was such a great mentor and a great person to hang out with as well, and it’s just sad to hear this news, he added. “I have one regret –I wanted to work with him one more time on a project and it just couldn’t happen. Sadly, he succumbed to illness and other factors in life.”
Aamir Zaki turns mentor for upcoming music platform
Ahsan Bari of Sounds of Kolachi reacted to the sad news by saying, “What can I say that hasn’t already been said about him? He was a virtuoso, a genius who couldn’t be replaced.”
People know him for his Signature album, but they haven’t heard anything yet, he added. “I had an opportunity to play with him at many concerts and he was a mentor as well.”
Bari went on to say that Zaki was the one I turned to when I had to learn about music, composition and arrangement.
"He was very significant influence on guitarists. He was one of a kind, and I rarely say this, but one couldn't just listen to or feel his music. One could also see it,” reacted artist Mohsin Raza, aka Bunny, who was unaware of the Zaki's death when he was contacted.
Raza added, “His music was really expressive, like Carlos Santana and Jimi Hendrix. He has gone too soon, but such is life. He will be sorely missed, and may his soul rest in peace."
Writing on his Facebook page, Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan aka Xulfi said, "I cannot believe this. But this is the truth of our world, of our lives. It's the truth of time. A guitarist, who was a genre in his own right in our country, has breathed his last.”
Coke-troversy
In a world of vocalists, Raza said, this guy challenged the norm and succeeded. “Back then, watching him made me believe in the power of music, even without words.”
He made me believe that I can make it if I never give up even as an instrumentalist. ”He came up with an album that had all instrumentals with just one song. What great music it was...and what a great song he created…Mera Pyar.”
Signature remains one of my favourite local albums to date and Aamir Zaki will remain one of the most gifted musicians our country ever saw, he added.
Showbiz icons also took to Twitter to express their condolences:
Aamir zaki..the musician guitar maestro has passed away...plz pray for departed soul
— Faysal Quraishi (@faysalquraishi) June 2, 2017
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
https://twitter.com/bilalkhan/status/870640029617594370?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.dawn.com%2Fnews%2F1177721
#RIP Aamir Zaki - a brooding guitat legend. Announced via guitarist Hamza Jafri on FB. Died of heart failure.https://t.co/i4YcO0ieKm pic.twitter.com/ris9a5Pe8Z
— Fasi Zaka (@fasi_zaka) June 2, 2017
Sorry to hear that the legendary guitarist Amir Zaki has passed away. There was no other like him. Innalilla hi wainanila hai rajaoun
— Ali Gul Pir (@Aligulpir) June 2, 2017
friend, teacher, musical genius and one of my favourite guitar players of all time, Aamir Zaki, has passed away in Karachi, so long brother
— Faisal Rafi (@faisalrafi) June 2, 2017
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