The mad genius of Aamir Zaki
Madeeha Syed revisits her interactions with one of Pakistan’s best guitarists.
They say he is one of the greatest minds that the Pakistani music industry has ever harboured, that his talent knows no bounds. Speaking his name inspires awe from those who have only heard of him and an acknowledgement of his music virtuosity from his contemporaries. ‘I am somewhat of a genius,’ he had once said to me about himself.
Ladies and gentlemen, Aamir Zaki has surfaced once again. Just when we thought we had seen the last of him, he has appeared and begun working on different projects in a several Karachi studios.
This prodigy – who has been playing the guitar since the age of 14 – is best known for his short stint with the Vital Signs in 1994 when he toured globally with the group and played on their fourth album before being asked to leave the band altogether. He then released his debut solo album titled Signature in 1995, from which the song ‘Mera Pyaar’ became a massive hit. Signature was otherwise criticised for being too ‘clinical’. Back then, the launch of the album was considered to be an important stepping stone towards a fruitful career by one of the country’s greatest guitar maestros.
But things didn’t go as planned and Aamir disappeared instead, surfacing now and then to perform at select venues, collaborating with individuals on small and at times incomplete projects, hopping in and out of the country, to and fro from Canada. At least, that’s the official version.
Under the surface, Aamir has always had a somewhat volatile, almost unpredictable personality. He ranges from being a control-freak to incredibly reclusive, surprisingly friendly and intensely bitter. Almost everyone who has interacted with him has an Aamir story.
‘I think leaving the Vital Signs messed him up badly,’ says a music vocalist, who used to be considered a child prodigy in Pakistan (enough hints!) several years ago. ‘Really?’ I couldn’t help asking. ‘Yes. I’ve seen him in his darkest moods. He became self-destructive; he even burnt some of his guitars.’ When confronted with this scenario, Rohail Hyatt, one of the founding members of the band, was visibly surprised and stated, ‘No, no. I don’t think leaving the Signs had a psychological effect on him. Although I don’t know what other effects it might have had.’
In my interactions with him, starting with a Pink Floyd tribute concert in September 2005, Aamir has been erratic in his behaviour and the decisions he makes. The concert itself was memorable with several mainstream guitar players, who happened to be at the venue, jumping on stage to play their bit. In between, Aamir stood outside, tall, lean and thin, visibly tanned, a shadow of the person he used to be.
He had started teaching guitar lessons at the National Academy of Performing Arts back then and several months later abruptly packed up and left for Canada to work as a head producer in a recording firm owned and operated by an expat. Not surprisingly, soon after settling in there, he abruptly packed up and came back to Pakistan without any explanation except that he wasn’t comfortable with how ‘a certain person’ was working with ‘other people’ in the firm, and went into hiding again.
He then performed at a jazz gig in December 2006 with Gumby on drums. The organisers had flown in a cello and a saxophone player, and again, it was a memorable gig. The only aspect of the evening which may have ruined it for some is that when Aamir started performing, he tended to ‘overplay’, often going in front of the other musicians, moving about in what seemed to be an attempt to steal the limelight.
Post-gig, Aamir was ecstatic. He especially kept referring to Baker Street by Gerry Rafferty, which he had performed, saying that he felt a close affinity to the song. He kept strumming his guitar and kept repeating the following verse:
‘You used to think that it was so easy
You used to say that it was so easy
But you’re tryin’, you’re tryin’ now
Another year and then you’d be happy
Just one more year and then you’d be happy
But you’re cryin’, you’re cryin’ now.’
I couldn’t help but wonder whether Aamir felt that the above lyrics in the song were a representation of how he, to this day, keeps trying to start over again and again in his life. What followed this gig were a series of appearances, rants, and disappearances by the said artiste.
In the meantime, he released Rough Cut with Hadiqa Kiyani, which bombed. He was supposed to release his much-awaited Ten-Year Eclipse album, but didn’t – as he put it, ‘I had to delete Ten-Year Eclipse and another album before that. Because record labels and TV stations only seem to worry about videos and have no interest in the music really.’
He then announced that he was releasing a third album titled Radio Star, which he sent in for a review but which never made an online release as promised. Ardent Aamir Zaki fans need not worry, the album contained some of his five- to 10-year-old compositions, which include ‘The Day She Left’ and ‘Storm-Chaser’ among some of his other familiar tunes.
And then, as was becoming a familiar pattern with him, he went into hiding. This time, his intent seemed stronger as compared to the previous ones and most thought he would probably never ‘come back.’
But word has it that he is back. And that he is working in the studio on several albums. But it is also said that he is not well; physically and mentally, he has a lot to work through. Perhaps there is a price for having the genius that he does. One can only hope that this time, his surfacing would be for the better. Of course, the scarcity of recorded work by Aamir has made it virtually impossible for individuals to trace his growth and maturity as a musician over the years. Between Signature (1995), Rough Cut (2007) and Radio Star (2007), there is a large, gaping void – in light of the erratic behaviour that he has exhibited in the past, one wonders whether Aamir’s current re-surfacing will produce anything different.
Going through some old emails, I came across this message dated October 15, 2007.
Madeeha,
Hope things have been good with you, as you know as a friend that I went through a complete break from the whole world for about 10 months now. We shall discuss the reasons in person one day, if going back into a depressing past makes sense at that point…
The tone of the message leaves me wondering whether thinking of the past and of what could-have-been in his life had, among other things, resulted in Aamir’s bitterness.
Madeeha Syed can be reached at madeeha@dawn.com.
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November 15th, 2009 at 14:52
Amir zaki is a legend for Pakistan music industry. He is really a wonderful guitarist. He has to work more for our country. BEST OF LUCK.
July 1st, 2009 at 18:53
Aamir Zaki is not overrated, he is underheard. understand the difference.
Just like for the illiterate, ‘books’ are “overrated”.
A blind man may call colors “overrated”, but the fact that majority consists of the blind doesnt really make the statement true.
Listen to him first before calling him overrated. He plays at live concerts. he played recently at PACC in karachi. he gives guitar lessons at Beatles in PECHS karachi. go listen to him. stop exposing your ignorance.
June 25th, 2009 at 14:58
i waz nt ur fan sir bt i had listen ur music since i waz 10 yr bt after ur biography and older music now am ur fan u r the man whch can help the upcoming bands
June 22nd, 2009 at 12:52
Hello All … I have read what most of you have said which more or less is right in its own way. I will try to give my two cents from a musician’s side as I am a guitar player myself. Zaki is someone I admired when I picked up the guitar in 1992. Although I was influenced more by the US and European guitar players, Zaki and Salman Ahmad were both the guitarists that everyone talked about in the music circles in Pakistan. Salman did justice to his talent as a songwriter and guitar player with Junoon releasing a number of good albums with some solid songwriting and interesting guitar parts especially the rhythms and arrangements. They toured the world and were touted as the Sufi Rockers from Asia. Zaki on the other hand disappeared into oblivion after a decent instrumental album called Signature. His playing in it showed a lot of heart and character and the arrangements were well thought out. His ability to effortlessly play interesting phrasings showed his ability. But he has not lived up to his potential. The experiment with Hadiqa was a disaster. It was a mix of badly written songs which were poorly mixed and looked like a half baked effort. I was presonally disappointed as this was his first work after Signature and that too after a gap of like 15 years. It was shocker indeed!!! The man is known for his live playing. So for me he is more like our eastern classical maestros who do not have any studio recordings but bring the house down during live performances. I think Amir Zaki should start recording his live performances and release a live album. Releasing material that he did 10 or 15 years ago would not make sense as it would not be him at this current phase in time. I would like to listen to him the way he is currently playing. I don’t want an album in which 80 % of the tracks were recorded years ago. It will fail to capture my interest. In the end, I would like to say that he is a very good musician but calling him a genius is a bit over the edge. Our media has a habit of over-hyping certain individuals and ignoring some really talented ones but thats what happens everywhere else in the world as well. I wish him the best of luck and hope to hear some good stuff from his side soon. I have also heard that he is physically not well and was also admitted to the hospital recently.
June 21st, 2009 at 16:50
Can’t understand what the article really want to say. Zaki’s been a ghost as far Pakistan’s music industry is concerned. Always overhyped and overrated, the man’s done NOTHING apart from creating just one midiocre pop-rock album.
There are guitarists and musicians out there who are 10 times more productive and talented than this guy.
And this “genius,” tag, oh, please, have some respect for the words you use at least.
June 20th, 2009 at 18:24
Totally agree with the above post. Have been following Zaki’s ascent since the early 90s. All the hype preceding his solo album fizzled within 10 minutes of listening to Signature. Mera Pyar only got to be a hit for frankly the pop scene in pakistan was young and there was nothing much to compete with. Amir Zaki may be a gifted guitar player but there just isnt enough of his output widely available to make me a convert.
I expected the article to fawn over Zaki’s “genuis”, which it does to an extent, though also fleshes him out to be human. Whatever I have heard of his so far is technically proficient yet sterile, unfeeling, worse- banal. Amir Zaki is in a word overrated.
June 18th, 2009 at 13:10
I have always been a huge fan of him, he is one phenomenal guitarist
June 12th, 2009 at 18:57
I first met Aamir in 1990, when I went to this musical instrucments shop to buy my first, and to this date, the only electric guitar. First time I saw he perform it was an out-of-this-world experience. But yeah even back then he mostly talked negative about most of the music going on in Pakistan at that time (early 90’s). I have known another eccentric deserving a similar article Adnan, who used to be a big Satriani/Vai fan and could reproduce their solos till the last note. Same story I guess. It is very sad that such a genius (referring to Amir Zaki now) ended up this way. But being genius is no excuse to let your life go in this direction.
June 12th, 2009 at 18:28
He’s undoubtedly a great musician, albiet vocally I find him lacking but that’s alright because a musician doesn’t necessarily have to be a good singer. His prowess with the guitar is legendary and he has a good ear for music. Sadly, Amir Zaki is a typical musical conundrum…he IS a genius who believes in his music but not himself. His history shows the bohemian artist rhetoric finding a place in a commerical industry. Rock musicians in Pakistan have had to reiterate their philosophy in order to survive in a POP dominant music culture.
Its a shame that Pakistani’s do not understand the beauty of music and the imperative need for diversity and variety. Making a quick buck leads to musicians abandoning their musical ideologies, Amir Zaki has been back and forth from inner conflicts on whether to adhere to his musical philosophy or sell out to the POP mongers in Pakistan’s musically illiterate society.
If Pakistan had a thriving film industry, there is no doubt that Amir Zaki would be the first choice for producing music for films i.e. scores, themes and soundtracks. We have a knack of ignoring our very own artists and idolizing indian movie songs which 7 times out of 10 are abhorrent musical catastrophies.
June 12th, 2009 at 18:16
Is it okay to publish contents of a private email in an article. Even if the email was written to the writer, the information was shared off the record and perhaps with some degree of confidentiality.
June 12th, 2009 at 18:12
Aamir Zaki is a true genius.. Mera Pyaar, People are People, And She Danced Beautifully,etc. All the songs are legendary songs. He is one of the best guitarist of Pakistan. KEEP ROCKING AAMIR ZAKI
June 12th, 2009 at 18:12
I agree with Not a fan. The post seems biased. Creative should be coupled with productive. Look at Mekaal Hassan. Now that’s what I call talent.
June 12th, 2009 at 18:06
AMIR ZAKI a star ,im amazed by the comnt given, i certainly disagree with the point of view. strogly agree that Amir Zaki is one of the best guitarsts we ever had in pk.his song was the best song n still if you play on any chanl im very much positv about its success.
I wish to hear him again.my best wishes
June 12th, 2009 at 18:03
hey “Not a fan”. perhaps you don’t know what music is all about. You think that the musicians who make commercial music are the best musicians. I think you are definitely a fan of Atif Aslam right? and Fuzon and Overload are nothing in front of Aamir Zaki. Aamir Zaki rocks. but Noori is also amazing even though their music is commercial but they are amazing players and make amazing songs so, ROCK ON NOORI and ROCK ON AAMIR BHAI!!
June 12th, 2009 at 18:01
this is in reply to above comment. ya that was one hit song “mera pyar” but that song is still alive and i love to listen it. not any band in Pakistan can beat that song in anyway.that is evergreen song and will remain evergreen.im not much known person about music and guitars but the bands u mentioned noori, fuzon and overload may b having hit songs but will never beat aamir’s song meera pyar. even after 15 years i din forget that song “meera pyar” and the name “Aamir Zaki”.other bands may have some hit songs but they came and went out from the scene but Aamir Zaki’s song is still alive.
sorry if such comments from my side are not digestible for someone.
Tc
June 12th, 2009 at 17:56
well friends… comments are pretty reasonable… if an artist is not creating art work, his greatness is not published… Respecting people for their past work is good, but you were over glorifying him Madeeha…
June 12th, 2009 at 17:00
Here is a classic media creation that has gone quite wrong. Yesterday he was a legend. Today a genius? I for one will have all the respect in the world for someone who does something with his awesome talent – not for someone who throws it away and blames everyone else for his woes. A genius solves problems. Not get stuck in them. Aamir can still rise and shine like the person he has the potential to be. But he’s no genius just yet. Perhaps this is his real test to become one. It’s not important how one gets into the pits. It’s how one bounces back from there that counts. My heart and prayers are for Aamir to rise and shine. But only he can really help himself at the end of the day… Good luck to him.
And as for the media, perhaps calling a spade a spade might do people some good. Giving someone a legend status way before their time, might have helped Aamir’s illusion that he’s way too good to be working with other ‘common’ people… His journey towards isolation began with, among other things, wrong notions such as these…
June 12th, 2009 at 16:31
Exactly. I agree with ‘Not a Fan’ … what else one can expect from some one who calls himself “a bit of a genius”. You won’t hear such a thing from a David Gilmour or an Eric Clapton or Mark Knopfler and these guys are big I mean colossally big!
June 12th, 2009 at 15:20
i think he’s a genius who has completely wasted himself. making records and then hogging up hard disks or burning guitars makes a musician … not. it will be surprising if we hear new/unreleased music from him ever again.
June 12th, 2009 at 14:42
i’m sorry, but he he’s not that great. he has nothing to show for himself except one terrible song with one hit, mera pyaar, which was only a hit 15 years ago because of a lack of anything better. a guitarist has to be REALLY good and productive for his eccentricities to take a back seat to his guitar playing, and aamir is notorious for being difficult to get along with. he had a hit 15 years ago, big deal. who cares? with bands like noori, fuzon and overload, aamir’s lack of guitar playing has no place in this country.