Aamir Zaki, an odyssey of melody and anguish, lost forever!

The name Aamir Zaki needs no introduction as a guitarist-songwriter and composer from Pakistan. He was known for his uniquely melodic phrasing, feel, and tone. His debut album Signature was released in 1995, and Zaki was awarded a gold disc by Soundcraft UK for it. Since then there was no turning back for this maestro. The guitar virtuosos passed away due to a heart attack on June 2, 1997, due to heart failure. It had been an honour for me to catch up with him for an exclusive 1 on 1 a few days before his death, but I never had published this interview, saving it to bring it out whenever I would come up with my blog site. Amir Zaki’s last interview is my website’s first interview… Below is an account of our meeting, and I am sharing it as it is.

Question 1) Every musician has some myths attached to them, and I am sure there may be a few attached to you as well, but for the sake of our readers, let us separate Aamir Zaki the myth from Aamir Zaki the legend…

Az. There really is no separation anywhere in me. How can I separate it, you separate it. lol

Quest 2) Recently you had a reunion with legendary singer Alamgir in 2013, and this get-together reminded me of your trip to India, UK, USA, and the UAE. So how was that experience and would you like to share some of your memories and occurrences from the time?

Az. I had a great time, working with Alamgir. It was an excellent experience, and I met some great musicians in India too. It is always fun interacting with fans all around the globe.

Question 3) Was your association limited to the tours only or you two worked and produced some great music as well?

Az. I recorded on two albums with Alamgir. “Keh De Na” and “Albela Rahi” were two hit singles with my guitar sound and image.

Question 4) When talking of time bygone, let me take you a step further down the memory lane, if I remember correctly, you had a band in the year 1984 by the name DRUG ENFORCEMENT, mind sharing the whole story behind it, I mean from its establishments to disbandment?

Az. My friend Abbas Premji and I used to jam a lot, so we got together with Salman Habib on drums and Daud Habib on bass and we formed the band Drug Enforcement. It was a young and restless kind of a rock band. We played our first show at Rangoonwala Hall where we scandalized the audience by doing covers of The Who, Cream and Jimi Hendrix.

Question 5) Your album The Bomb couldn’t see the daylight in Pakistan, however, a few songs ravished the listeners in the land of OZ, what was the reason of it not releasing in Pakistan and it is exported to Australia?

Az. Pakistan was not ready for an English album at all back then, and even with a rough cut, it has been received better in India.

Question 6) I can really say that music flows in your blood, am I right?

Az. Yes, that would be true.

Question 7) When and why did America happen to you?

Az. Oh well, we all go to the US sometime right haha and it is fun I played in a band called Route 66, we played California is and it was a great time.

Question 8) I guess you established a company out there, would you like to tell us more about it?

Az. Yes, I have a Record Label with Manhattan West.

Question 9) What are the major differences you spot in between working in Pakistan and the USA?

Az. The whole music is different. It’s very different from Pakistan. Like with Route 66.

Question 10) Since music flows in your blood, let me guess that you are self-taught? If yes then I am certainly curious how had been your journey?

Az. Learning yourself is really not as hard as people think it is. You just have to be both, a good student and a good teacher. I taught myself Western Classical Guitar from a book and debuted on national television at the age of 17.

Question 11) What is your take on musicians selling to corporate sponsors?

Az. As long as sponsors let musicians create freely, it’s great to have the backing of a sponsor.

Question 12) Why not Lollywood or let me rephrase why didn’t you ever did the music for any of the Pakistani films?

Az. I did play for a Pakistani film called ‘Raat Challi hay Jhoom Kay’ by Hassan Zaidi. And I have played on TV Scores, lately the track of Tanhaiyan Naye Silsilay.

Question 13) What motivated you to do your first released album Signature in 1995?

Az. Just the understanding that I wanted to have my own original music to play on stage.

Question 14) How was your working relationship with Hadiqa Kiyani for Rough Cut in 2007 and how did it happen?

Az. Hadiqa is a great person and Rough Cut was a very good experience. We knew each other and just got together for a fresh sound and lyrics.

Question 17) How true is the rumour that you are packing your bags and moving to Canada and that too for good?

Az. Haha, ha man not again..lol

Question 19) How do you see the Pakistani music scene of today?

Az. It is great and very creative bands have come up. It is still flourishing and needs support from the media.

Question 20) Last but not least, any message you would like to pass on to the readers?

Az. My message is just to do what you believe in, and gradually things shall turn around!

Photo credits by Rameez Baig