Man with a big heart: Bilal Maqsood shares throwback video with Junaid Jamshed

In the video from 1991, JJ can be seen inviting the young Strings frontman on stage

In honour of the fifth death anniversary of the iconic singer-turned-evangelist Junaid Jamshed, musician Bilal Maqsood took to Twitter to share a video of the Vital Signs frontman giving the Dur singer a chance to share the stage with him as a budding young artist.  

In the video from an event hosted by Bilal’s father, Anwar Maqsood, in 1991, Junaid can be seen clad in a fringed leather jacket, introducing Strings to the crowd and inviting Bilal on-stage. In the video, Junaid calls Strings an “upcoming band,” with the crowd cheering in return. Sharing the video on Twitter, Bilal wrote, "Remembering Junaid Jamshed. This footage is from a Vital Signs concert in Dubai, 1991. Abbu was hosting so I went along. He didn’t have to call me on stage but he was a man with a big heart! Miss you JJ.” 

Remembering Junaid Jamshed.
This footage is from a Vital Signs concert in Dubai, 1991. Abbu was hosting so I went along. He didn’t have to call me on stage but he was a man with a big heart! Miss you JJ. #JunaidJamshed #VitalSigns #RememberingJunaidJamshed pic.twitter.com/ijMDQVewPH

— Bilal Maqsood (@bilalxmaqsood) December 7, 2021

Bilal was once offered a place in Vital Signs by Rohail Hyatt, with the offer quickly being retracted by Junaid himself. The anecdote was shared by the Strings frontman on Instagram, with the musician later reflecting on the incident in a conversation with The Express Tribune. "No, I would’ve never joined Vital Signs," the Mera Bichra Yaar singer revealed. Bilal recalled that at the time he was more focused on reviving Strings that already had two albums in its catalogue.

As far as having any qualms about rejection from Junaid's end, Bilal actually respected the decision. "I think Junaid made the right choice. Why would anyone bring a Strings member in Vital Signs?," the Sar Kiye yeh Pahar singer concluded.