Remembering the legend Ayub Bachchu

Photo: Internet

Today is the 1st death anniversary of Ayub Bachchu, who passed away at the age of 56 on October 18, 2018.

The legendary singer, composer and guitarist Ayub Bachchu, popularly known as AB, made significant contribution to the country’s band music scene during his career that spanned for more than four decades.

The newage correspondent talked to a number of seasoned singers who have shared their memories of AB and about his contribution to the music scene.

When contacted, Independence Award winning singer Runa Laila said, ‘Bachchu was not only a talented musician and singer but also a well-mannered and cheerful person. He always greeted everyone with a smile and never misbehaved with anyone. He respected me a lot. He will live on in the hearts of thousands of music lovers through his outstanding creations. May his departed soul rest in peace. A musician like Bacchu is not born every day.’

Veteran singer Ferdous Wahid said, ‘Ayub Bachchu created a new form of music in 1990s. He made tremendous contribution to country’s band music scene. He was a talented musician. He will be remembered through his songs.’

Renowned singer Nakib Khan said, ‘We were colleagues in Souls and I have loving memories with Bachchu who loved me a lot. He had immense popularity among music lovers. His passing away has left a huge void. One year has passed but we still find it difficult to believe that he he is no more. He will live on through his songs’.

Acclaimed singer Fahmida Nabi said, ‘There are a lot of singers who have contributed to the industry but we only know about a few of them. Bachchu Bhai is the one who wanted to create something new in music. He wanted to spread music among the younger generation. He was an ambitious person in the industry whose contribution cannot be forgotten.’

‘We have lost a number of quality singers in the industry like Lucky Akhand, Subir Kaka and others. If it continues, the industry will be left without any stars in future. Now-a-days the music industry is going through a crisis. We need to produce quality songs otherwise music lovers won’t remember the singers or their songs,’ added Fahmida.

When contacted, renowned singer Bappa Majumder said, ‘Bachchu Bhai loved me like his younger brother. His passing away has left a huge void in the country’s music scene. His contribution to country’s band music scene cannot be forgotten. I once had the chance of performing with him at a live music show on television. It was a dream come true moment for me.’

Ayub Bachchu was born in Chattogram in 1962; he recorded 28 albums, including 16 solo albums during his career as a musician. A innovative rocker, Bachchu composed 500 songs including famous numbers like Chalo bodley jai, Rupali guitar, Hanste dekho, Ghum bhanga shahore, Darojar o pashe, Madhabi, Hawker, Meye, Tara bhora ratey and Sharey Tin Haat Mati, Shei tumi, Ar beshi kadale, Tobe bujhbey kemon kore ei amakey, Abegi emon raatey and others.

He also rendered playbacks for films and recorded dozens of songs released in mixed albums.

Bachchu formed his own band Spider at the age of 14. In 1978, he joined Feelings, which has become a key band in Bangladesh. But he spent only two years with the band and joined Souls as its lead guitarist in 1980 where he played for ten years.

In 1991, Bachchu founded LRB, abbreviation of love runs blind. He had a music studio called ‘AB Kitchen’ at Maghbazar.

His first album was a solo released in 1986 titled ‘Rakto Golap.’ His second album, Mayna, also a solo album, thrust him into fame in the music industry in 1988. His third solo titled ‘Koshto’, released in 1995, was a super-hit and made him a household name. He also released an instrumental album titled ‘Sound of Silence’ in 2007.

LRB was applauded for its taste for experimentation, with its first album being released in double-disc record. It was the first time people came across such an idea in Bangladesh.

The album was a roaring success with many of its rock numbers becoming so popular that they were still on the top of the popular band song charts year’s on end. Bachchu’s live performances were not complete until he sang songs that included Ghum bhanga shahorey, Madhabi, and Hawker.

The last album of LRB titled Juddho was released in 2012. Bachchu’s last solo album ‘Jiboner Golpo’ was released in 2015.

LRB performed in more than 500 open-air and 2,000 indoor concerts. LRB is the only Bangla rock band to have performed at the Madison Square Garden in New York. It also toured USA, Europe along with other countries for live performance.

source:newage