Imran Muhammad Akhoond

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Imran Akhoond
Birth nameعمران محمد اخوند
Also known asImran Muhammad Akhoond
Born Karachi, Sindh Province of Pakistan
GenresBlues rock
Occupation(s)Musician, guitarist
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar
Years active1990–present
Member of Shehzad Roy, Awaz, Strings
Website http://imranakhoond.com/

Imran Muhammad Akhoond is a Pakistani guitarist and session musician. He is best-known as the lead guitarist (1998 to present) in the band of Pakistani pop/rock singer Shehzad Roy. [1] He has performed with various other bands, including Junaid Jamshed, Strings and Vital Signs. [1]

Contents

From 2013 to 2017, Akhoond was a member of the house band on Pakistani music show Coke Studio , before switching to act as a mentor on Pepsi Battle of the Bands in 2018. [2]

Early life

Imran Akhoond was born in Karachi, into a Gujarati-speaking family. [3]

Music career

Akhoond entered the music business in 1997 as the guitarist in the live backing band of Junaid Jamshed, [2] who he met through Nadeem Jafri. He also performed as a session musician with Awaz, [1] Hadiqa Kiani, [2] Ali Zafar, and Strings.

Akhoond became a permanent member of Shehzad Roy's band in 1998, having met him while on tour with Awaz. [1] In 2013 he performed with Shehzad Roy alongside guitarist Slash and drummer Matt Sorum of Guns N' Roses at a charity event in Los Angeles. [4]

He released his debut solo single "Madhur" in 2012, and his second single "Inside Love" in 2015. [5]

Television work

Akhoond was the guitarist in the house band on the music show Coke Studio , from season 7 until 10 (2014-2017), [6] which were produced by Strings. [7]

In 2018 he moved to work with Shahi Hasan of Vital Signs as a judge and mentor on seasons 3 and 4 of Pepsi Battle of the Bands . [2]

Other ventures

In 2020, Akhoond appeared on "We Are One", a collaborative song made by artists from seven countries as a message of hope during the COVID-19 pandemic, produced by Kashan Admani. [8]

Influences

Akhoond is a fan of Bryan Adams, [5] and cites as his guitar influences Eric Clapton, David Gilmour, Eric Johnson and Larry Carlton. [9]

Personal life

Akhoond and his family are long-term residents of Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Karachi. [2]

Akhoond performed Hajj, along with Shehzad Roy, in July 2006. [10]

On 16 January 2019, Akhoond was stopped by unknown persons while driving with his family in the Buffer Zone district of Karachi. The assailants threatened Akhoond, stating that his music television work was considered haraam and against the spirit of Islam. Following the threats, Akhoond was reported to be avoiding social engagements out of fear for his life. [2]

Discography

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Ansari, Hasan (9 August 2015). "Rockstar Anonymous: Imran Akhoond". The Express Tribune . Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Rauf, Sajid; Mahmood, Rafay (8 March 2019). "Coke Studio guitarist fears for life after receiving threats". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  3. ↑ Roy, Shehzad (9 December 2018). "My journey in education reform". Dawn . Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  4. ↑ Qamar, Saadia (27 September 2013). "'Music never starts a movement, it only supports it'". The Express Tribune.
  5. 1 2 Ansari, Hasan (12 October 2015). "Imran Akhoond releases 'Inside Love'". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  6. ↑ "Imran Akhoond". Coke Studio Season 10. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  7. ↑ Dasgupta, Piyali (28 August 2014). "Pakistani band Strings to produce Coke Studio Pakistan Season 7". The Times of India. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  8. ↑ Sabeeh, Maheen (17 May 2020). "One Love". The News International . Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  9. ↑ "Imran Akhoond". Coke Studio. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  10. ↑ "Shehzad Roy". Pak101.com. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  11. ↑ Imran Akhund attended with Shafaqt Amanat Ali in his album (Sept 2008)
  12. ↑ Strings Song – Koi Aanay Wala Hai
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