Famed guitarist Amir Zaki passes away at 49

KARACHI: One of  Pakistan’s top guitarists Amir Zaki passed away on Friday. He was 49, ARY News reported.

The artist’s death was confirmed by his relatives and the cause of death was heart failure. Zaki’s funeral prayers will be offered on Saturday.

Zaki was a virtuoso guitarist, songwriter and singer.

Born in Saudi Arabia on April 8, 1968, Zaki was discovered first by Alamgir when he was 16.

A ‘Classic P.T.V.Global Video’ also shows him with Alamgir playing a Flying V that he built himself. Zaki continued to make his own guitars.

His debut album ‘Signature’ was released in 1994 in Pakistan and pirated worldwide.

Zaki was awarded a ‘Soundcraft’ Gold Disc for the debut. It sold worldwide gaining him a very loyal fan base of ‘Melodic Guitar Music’.

The album contained only one Urdu song, ‘Mera Piyar‘ ; It reached Number 1 immediately and stayed at the top of the charts for years. Today ‘Mera Piyar’ is the most widely covered love song of the Pakistani Mainstream/Pop Music Industry,

As he was born in Saudi Arabia, his earliest musical influences of Middle Eastern music can be heard in works such as ‘Somewhere In Asia’ (‘Inner Conflict Within One World’).

Zaki’s experimental tabla rhythm compositions are evident in ‘And She Danced Beautifully’, a piece that mixes Taals of 11/4, and 8/4 in a polyrhythmic style. Sometimes he used to play a Raaga in the Eastern Classical manner but distinctly, it is the fusion of Eastern and Western scales and the intense ‘Feel factor’ that he is known for.

Zaki’s second official release was ‘Rough Cut’.

A duo of Aamir Zaki and Hadiqa Kiyani, ‘Rough Cut’ released an album of the same name, It was an all English album with only one Urdu song ‘Iss Bar Milo’ (‘Rough Cut’ 2005). ‘Iss Bar Milo’ recieved the award for ‘Best song/video’ that year and reached Number 1 in the charts. Two english videos were released, ‘Living This Lie’ and ‘Be With You’.

Aamir Zaki collaborated with international musicians and performed live with ‘The Aamir Zaki Group’, and played as a Guest in Coke Studio 7.

Condolences pour in 

 

It is with great sadness I confirm that guitar legend Amir Zaki has indeed left this world. Mera Pyar tum hee ho…Still remember his magic.

— Fakhr-e-Alam (@falamb3) June 2, 2017

Pak’s gifted&probably the best guitarist #AmirZaki died of heart failure at 49. Good memories of spending time in 90’s with moody musician.

— Owais Tohid (@OwaisTohid) June 2, 2017

life’s so short – RIP #AmirZaki arguably the best guitar player from Pakistan

— Bilal Khan (@bilalkhan) June 2, 2017

#RIP Legend #AmirZaki pic.twitter.com/94ppXGasMA

— norbert (@norbalm) June 2, 2017

Zaki was a friend, a mentor and a talent unlike any other. It was a privilege to have known such a man. May he finally rest in peace.

— Hadiqa Kiani (@Hadiqa_Kiani) June 2, 2017

Aamir zaki..the musician guitar maestro has passed away…plz pray for departed soul

— Faysal Qureshi (@faysalquraishi) June 2, 2017