#50 - Asad Ahmed - Three Decades of Pakistani Rock - The Man Behind Awaz, Karavan & The Barbarians

A for Aleph Podcast

The momentous 50th episode of the A for Aleph Podcast celebrates and honours the esteemed luminary of Pakistani rock music.
Asad Ahmed, a virtuoso guitarist and a colossus within the industry, graces the podcast with his august presence. Far from a mere performer, Asad emerges as a polymathic creative dynamo, distinguished in his roles as a producer-engineer, composer, and the searing guitarist of the legendary rock ensemble, Karavan.
A connoisseur of musical apparatus and a seasoned virtuoso in his craft, Asad's collaborative narrative is interwoven with the threads of some of the most illustrious names in Pakistani musical history. From Rahat Fateh Ali Khan to Junoon, from Vital Signs to Sajjad Ali, and from Ali Zafar to Najam Sheraz, these luminaries stand as but a fraction of those who have shared the stage with him.
Asad's odyssey commenced in 1987 with The Barbarians, heralding the onset of an extraordinary voyage. Across subsequent decades, he emerged as a linchpin within various musical ensembles that left an indelible imprint on the Pakistani musical panorama – from The Milestones to Awaz, culminating in the iconic Karavan. His illustrious career spanning four decades serves as an enduring testament to his pervasive influence upon the rock and pop milieu.
Renowned for his scintillating live performances, Asad's guitar solos have attained legendary status. His remarkable versatility allows him to traverse diverse musical genres with effortless finesse, ensnaring audiences with his consummate mastery. He stands as a catalyst in the propagation and elevation of rock music within the Pakistani cultural tapestry.
Beyond his own studio oeuvre, Asad has engaged in extensive collaborations with Rohail Hyatt on the esteemed Coke Studio Sessions, thereby solidifying his stature as a preeminent figure within Pakistani musical circles.
Presently, Asad adorns yet another mantle – that of an A&R Manager at EMI. Simultaneously, he nears the culmination of his highly anticipated solo opus, aptly titled "The Final Sessions." This forthcoming release is poised to epitomize the zenith of his illustrious career, offering a final flourish from a veritable legend.
Currently, Asad is working with EMI as an A&R Manager and finishing his solo album, 'The Final Sessions'.
FOLLOW ASAD AHMED:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3rcj8ahO7nnrpm9L5E92K9?si=sTSf0aPFQlq69bjWk3zc4Q
Twitter: https://twitter.com/aahmedoffical
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asadahmedofficial/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asadahmedofficial/
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@asadahmedofficial
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asad_Ahmed
FOLLOW KARAVAN:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4zVY7gKoJMtjb09HRcerEb?si=ngAscrbsTpSmh1vDhLiC4A
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/karavan/1525032604
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIWu4qmQF3q8m1G3FyeNQ6Q
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A for Aleph is a unique creative collaborative space and initiative based in Karachi, Pakistan, that is focused on the patronage and empowerment of the arts and foster the growth of independent contemporary artists from across the region in order to heal, evolve and expand our collective consciousness, the Aleph.
More here: https://linktr.ee/aforaleph