Amir Zaki was not just a guitarist par excellence or a soloist who preferred English over Urdu but an icon, a legend especially to those who have taken up music as their bread and butter. He was considered perhaps the best guitarists from Pakistan who was at ease with jazz, blues and rock ‘n’ roll; …
SAMAA | Omair Alavi – Posted: Jun 3, 2017 | Last Updated: 4 years ago
Amir Zaki was not just a guitarist par excellence or a soloist who preferred English over Urdu but an icon, a legend especially to those who have taken up music as their bread and butter. He was considered perhaps the best guitarists from Pakistan who was at ease with jazz, blues and rock ‘n’ roll; despite not being a regular part of any musical band during his 2-decade-old career, Zaki continued to inspire millions till his sudden demise. Let’s pay a musical tribute to the departed genius through his own work that spanned over more than 20 years.
Money
‘If you can’t do it, your money can’ is what Amir Zaki taught lots of youngsters including myself who wanted to make it big on their own. The hit single was aired in Music Channel Charts and didn’t do well but gained cult status a few years later when Amir’s first album Signature was released. 20 years have passed since the song’s release but people remember the funny song that also took a dig at Princess Anne.
Mera Pyar Tum Hi Ho
Amir Zaki the vocalist started big with this song in the 90s and the single did well on Charts as well. The number was later sung as a duet for an Original Sound Track of a TV serial with the same name and became the identity of the musician who only released two albums all his life.
Bhula Dena
On the domestic front, Amir Zaki was not a happy man as his marriage stayed on for just a couple of years, that too when he was in his early 20s. Most of his songs give the feeling of unfulfilled love and this song is no different. It was a hit during the initial days of Indus Music and continues to air on different channels.
Iss Baar Milo
Amir Zaki teamed up with Hadiqa Kiani for this song that was directed by Jami and featured Humayun Saeed. It was from his second album Rough Cut that was released more than a decade after his first attempt. Hadiqa sings while Amir composes and plays the guitar to perfection; Jami’s eye does the rest.
Karachi Ki Laila
Amir Zaki was considered a father figure when it comes to mentoring new talent and together with one of his popular pupil Khalid Khan, he performed this number at Cornetto Music Icons event a few years back. Despite being just 45 at that time, Amir had white hair and appeared weak; his many fans hoped that he would comeback a healthier person and deliver more hits, but his life was cut short by sudden death.
