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Asad Ahmed (born July 21, 1971 in Karachi) is a Pakistani guitarist. His first stint was forming The Barbarians. He has been a member of the famous pop trio Awaz, has played with Junoon, Vital Signs and is currently a founding member of the rock band Karavan.
His family moved to Dubai when he was quite young. His elder brother was a guitarist and when he left for college, he left his guitar back at home. Asad picked it up and was drawn into its whim. His family returned to Karachi in 1984.
Asad started his music career in 1987 with The Barbarians,which is regarded by many as Pakistan’s first rock band. The band’s first single “Yeh Zindagi Hai” (This is Life) set the foundation of Pakistani rock. They got their first big break when The Barbarians participated in “Rock vs. Rock” show in karachi and won . They released their only album, the self-titled “The Barbarians” in 1989, which did not fare well in the then rock-repellant Pakistani music industry. The Barbarians fell apart in 1990.
Asad did a gig with Salman Ahmad of Junoon at a party in 1991. On Salman’s invitation, he hopped on board with Junoon and played bass with them for about a year. In a performance at Marriott Islamabad in November 1992, he met Haroon and Faakhir of Awaz and Rohail Hyatt of Vital Signs. This led to his performances on Vital Signs’ Aitebar and Hum Tum .
Awaz
Awaz was formed in December 1992, by Haroon, Faakhir and Asad. The band went on to become the next best thing in Pakistani pop scene after Vital Signs. Awaz were highly skilled and talented musicians, producers and composers. The band’s skill at composing and producing was often overlooked and the focus was on their good looks, glossy videos, catch songs and wild stage performances. Awaz was the first band from Pakistan to appear on MTV on April 20, 1992 with the song Janeman. Awaz released three albums. The first album was the self titled album “Awaz”, more commonly known as “Awaz 1″. The second album was “Jadu Ka Chiraagh” and the third and last album was “Shola”.
In 1997, foreseeing a disintegrating Awaz, Asad established his own studio. Simultaneously, he joined hands with Sameer Ahmed to form Karavan, thus returning to his rock origins. They brought the already established solo singer Najam Sheraz as the first vocalist and Alan Smith as drummer to complete the lineup. In 1999, Najam Shiraz returned to his solo career, vacating the vocalist’s slot for newcomer Tanseer Daar. Karavan released “Rakh Aas” in 1997, “Safar” in 1999 and “Gardish” in 2002. In 2005, The band issued an internet only Unplugged album which had over 100,000 downloads. Karavan released their 4th studio album, “Saara Jahan” in 2010. The band are currently compiling songs for their 1st greatest hits package to be released in 2011.
Over the years, Asad has done extensive session work contributing his guitar work and compositions to albums by Vital Signs, Ali Haider, Najam Sheraz, Haroon, Sajjad Ali and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan to name a few. These days plays guitar regularly on Coke Studio.
““Frankly, people today spend more time on their phones than on their computers and I think it’s about time that I provide a more easily approachable option of getting in touch with my fans,” said Asad to The Express Tribune.”
Saman Javed - The Express Tribune
“the guitar maestro is the founding member, of the now disbanded rock band Karavan. He has been a member of the famous pop trio Awaz, and has played with Vital Signs and Junoon. He started his career in 1987 with a band called The Barbarians. He has contributed his guitar work and compositions to albums by Ali Haider, Vital Signs, Najam Sheraz, Haroon, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Sajjad Ali to name a few and is now a regular guitar player in the sessions held by Coke Studio. Ahmed has also played the guitars for Ali Zafar’s upcoming film London Paris New York.”
Tehniat - Koolmuzone
“KARACHI: “Sometimes you want to give up the guitar, you’ll hate the guitar. But if you stick with it, you’re gonna be rewarded.”Legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix was spot on when he said those lines. Following the same mantra is Pakistani guitar maestro Asad Ahmed, who is carrying on with a solo career following the recent disbandment of his band Karavan.
The guitarist, who has come a long way from The Barbarians to Awaz to “Coke Studio”, speaks to The Express Tribune about his journey.”
Rafay Mahmood - The Tribune
“Probably the last time we saw Asad Ahmed with his long locks and exceptional guitar playing skills was when he did a recent session for the famed Coke Studio season 4, prior to which some live sessions and gigs for the disbanded ensemble Karavan.”
Sehl Bin Shoiab - News Pakistan
“With the moonlit Humayun's Tomb as the backdrop, the three-day Jahan-e-Khusrau festival, designed and directed by filmmaker and painter Muzaffar Ali, and presented by Rumi Foundation, took place from March 2 to 4.
The event not only hosted eminent artistes of the Sufi tradition from across the world, but it also served as a platform for emerging singers and practitioners of classical and modern dance along with Sufiana music. Celebrating a decade of humanism and peace through music, the 10th year of the festival witnessed performances by Pakistani singer Abida Parveen, Pakistani singer-turned-actor Ali Zafar, Hans Raj Hans, Andrea Griminelli, Indira Naik, Vidhi Sharma, Rajesh Pandey, Vidhi Lal, Shivani Varma, Zia Nath, Smitalaya and Murad Ali.”
Piyali Dasgupta - Times of India
“Asad Ahmed is one of the most prolific and magnificent musicians of Pakistan with a lot of diversity. Having played with The Barbarians, Junoon, Vital Signs, Awaz and Karavan, he truly masters many genres of music. He has also worked with legendary artists like Sajjad Ali, Ali Haider, Haroon and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. His music journey dates back to two decades ago in 1987 and his experience stretches over twenty years; he has touched almost every genre of music. The legendary song “Hum Tum” of Vital Signs depicts profound touch of his magnum opus and splendor. The coke studio sessions are truly classy and opulent. His music skills are inimitable. Recently he was ranked at number three in top ten guitarists of Pakistan. While talking to The News Tribe”
Sadaf Fayyaz - The News tribe
