I met the love of my life on a Vital Signs tour: guitarist Rizwanul Haq

Veteran guitarist talks about old memories and new band Rocklite

KARACHI: Back in 1991, Rizwanul Haq had just returned from the UK. Eagerly looking for a job, he ran into Rohail Hyatt – the founding member and producer of Pakistan’s biggest pop band, Vital Signs (VS).

As luck would have it, Salman Ahmad was in the process of leaving VS to form Junoon and so, in came Rizwan. Fender Stratocaster in hand and glasses on his eyes, he looked very much like a nerd on an assignment – which he completed as the band’s “longest serving” guitar player.

Few wrinkles on his face and the pressure of a legacy haven’t stopped him from riding into the sunset with high hopes and fond memories, though. And 28 years later, Rizwan is hoping for a second life in the music industry with his new band Rocklite.

PHOTO:FILE

“With Rocklite, I am coming out even stronger than I did with Vital Signs,” Rizwan tells The Express Tribune. The band comprises Allan Smith of Junoon and Karavan fame on drums and percussions, Imran Hanan on bass, Bilal Ashraf on vocals, Varqa Faraid on Keys and arrangements, Parham Faraid on lead guitars, Sohail on dhol and Rizwan on guitars and vocals. The video of their first song Kaun Hai Woh released earlier last week and has been directed by musician and film-maker Zeeshan Parvez. “The song definitely has the 80's feel to it and why not?” asks Rizwan. “The melodies were catchier back then and I also come from that era and am proud of it.”

Rizwan wasn’t too excited about the music scene after the release of his solo song Teri Gali Ana Hai. He realised the kind of fame he received with VS could never be replicated. It was after Allen Smith moved to Islamabad in 2006 that the guitarist found the courage to form a trio called Rocklite, including Hanan in the line-up.  They covered popular English numbers at different events organised by the diplomatic circles of Islamabad. “I did this for a couple of years for a good laugh, which was the idea behind forming Rocklite as a three-piece band doing English covers.”

Allan Smith

Varqa and Faraid added the much needed energy and oomph, which Rizwan believes made their overall sound very contemporary and vintage at the same time. “We have five to six new videos coming this year and I am convinced that 2019 will be the year for Rocklite.”

The live music scene isn’t as vibrant as it used to be so returning with a new band makes one speculate about the future. “This is simply because the concept of a band has pretty much finished in Pakistan,” says Rizwan. “I feel young musicians have no idea as to how to put a band together. Every band has a unique sound and it is that feel that the audience craves. Rocklite is definitely doing this out of passion but, at the same time, we have invested millions in the band.”

While Rizwan has returned to the fore after almost 30 years, a lot more has changed for his claim to fame Vital Signs. JJ has passed away, Rohail has formed an empire of his own and Shahi continues to be an active member of the music production scene. This bittersweet reality only gives him more reasons to be grateful for the time he spent with VS.

PHOTO:FILE

“I have beautiful memories of my time with the Signs. In fact, I met the love of my life, my wife for the past 27 years, while on a tour with the Signs,” Rizwan recalls fondly while adding a special note for JJ. “We all had a great fan following but Junaid's following was immense. I always remember him as a brilliant artist and a loving human being; wherever he went, he found a place in everyone’s hearts. Miss you, J.”

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