Rock inspiration for the young
“We need to take care of young talent. Please take care of young talents - guitarists, drummers or keyboardists, whoever he or she is,” said Bangladesh's rock legend Ayub Bachchu, appealing to the people on behalf of up-and-coming musicians in a TV interview. Bachchu unexpectedly passed away on Thursday.
Having gone through hardships at the beginning of his career, the multi-talented singer and songwriter wanted to ensure young talent across the country got the support they need.
“This world is full of uncertainty. We need to protect the artistes. We need to do away with the term ‘dustho shilpi’ (needy artistes),” said one of the pioneers Bangla band music, mostly inspired by Western rock.
Ayub Bachchu started his music career from his home town, Chattogram, with the band Feelings in 1978 before finding fame with one of Bangladesh's most famous bands, Souls, as the lead guitarist and vocalist.
He left Souls due to certain creative differences and formed LRB, essentially a superstar vehicle, in which Bachchu was lord and master.
Bachchu revealed a patriotic soul once he took to wrapping up each of his live concerts playing the national anthem Amar Sonar Bangla, Ami Tomai Bhalobasi on his guitar.
He may just have been taking after one of his heroes Jimi Hendrix, who famously did the same with the US national anthem at a stage of his career.
Bachchu waited for long to introduce his son Ahnaf Tazwar Ayub, himself a budding guitarist, on the big stage.
“I wanted Ahnaf to prove himself in a real way. I didn't want to favour him as my son,” said Ayub Bachchu mostly known as AB.
The legendary name in the history of Bangladeshi band music said though there are many young talents, they scared of taking up music as profession.
“Being a father I was so happy to see my son playing guitar on stage. But I was a bit sad, too,” he said on a note that this music industry does not provide direction.
Ayub Bachchu wanted government initiatives to give priority to music industry, the way cricket was given priority from the state level.
In another TV conversation with singers Kumar Bishwajit and Bappa Mazumder, AB recalled his early struggles from when he first came to Dhaka in the late 1970s, putting up at a cheap hotel with his five other friends. “We were sharing vegetables for one person because we hardly had any money.”
The rock star said they even sang at weddings to earn little.
"I remember one day we had to go to Patiya from Chattogram by a tiny human-hauler vehicle with our instruments. When we reached the spot, we realised there was no electricity. Then we were asked to sing without instruments," the band music star said acknowledging that the outcome is always sweet when success is earned through struggle.
"There is no shortcut to success. Nothing is possible without struggle," he used to believe.
Rocking all the way - Career milestones
With tremendous fan acceptance AB is famous for his fabulous guitar skills. He joined the band Souls in 1980, one of the pioneers in the band movement of Bangladesh.
In 1991 AB left Souls after 10 long years of practice for perfection and formed LRB (initially Little River Band, later Love Runs Blind). AB brought up LRB from the deepest of his impulses, something beyond deep devotion to music.
LRB started playing live gigs in the following years and the rest is history. We won the hearts of millions of music lovers.
Eager to create something revolutionary, LRB released their debut album in 1992, which was the first double album in the history of Bangladesh music and entirely a new concept for the Bangladeshi listeners.
LRB believes in self-criticism, in the salvation of their souls. That is why the entity and the band remain unparalleled in their type of music.
LRB performed in thousands of concerts at home and abroad both indoor and open. They went for their first international tour in the USA and played in seven states there.
LRB is the only Bangla rock band which played their music at the famous Madison Square Garden (New York), according to LRB official website.
AB was honoured in IIM Joka 'Rock Fest' (India), Benson & Hedges Star Search 1 & 2, DRockstar 1 and many other local competitions as a judge.
He worked as music director for late Khalid Hasan Milu, late Shaikh Ishtiaqe, Nasim Ali Khan, Tapan Chowdhury, Hasan Abedur Reza Jewel, Alam Ara Minu, Kaniz Suborna, Rupom and many others.
Ayub Bachchu died of a heart attack in the capital city at the age of 56.