Vital Signs (pop band)

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This article is about the band. For other uses, see the term Vital

Vital Signs
Background information
Origin	Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Genre(s)	Pop
Years active	1987 - 1995
Label(s)	EMI: Pakistan VCI
Members
Junaid Jamshed Rohail Hyatt Shehzad Hasan
Former members
Nusrat Hussain Salman Ahmad Rizwan-ul-Haq

Vital Signs was Pakistan's first ever pop band^{[citation needed]} and were given the title of "pioneers of pop music.". They were responsible for revolutionizing the Pakistani music scene and paved the way for many of today's popular artists. The original line up consisted of Junaid Jamshed on vocals, Rohail Hyatt on keyboards, Shehzad Hassan on bass and Nusrat Hussain on keyboards as well. They were extremely popular and produced four very successful albums. They are widely regarded as one of Asia's finest ever bands.

1 History
2 Members
3 Discography
- 3.1 Regular Studio Albums
4 See also
5 External links
6 Notes

[edit] History

The band shot to instant fame with their 1987 patriotic song Dil Dil Pakistan. Vital Signs remain the largest selling pop music act in Pakistan.^{[citation needed]} “Dil Dil Pakistan” was voted the 3rd most popular song of all time by BBC World.^[1]

Soon after, Nusrat Hussain parted ways with the band to make way for guitarist Salman Ahmad. They released their successful debut album in 1989 along with TV producer Shoaib Mansoor who also wrote the lyrics for the band. In 1990, Salman Ahmad was replaced by guitarist Rizwan-ul-Haq.

After Rizwan-ul-Haq joined the band Vital Signs released Vital Signs 2, the follow up to their debut album in 1991 which was a departure from the band's rosy imagery and sound. During this time the band befriended leading Pakistani music critic, Nadeem F. Paracha. However, they had a falling out in 1996 when Paracha started pushing forward Junoon and his friendship with Salman Ahmad did not go down well with Rohail.

In 1993, Vital Signs began work on their third album in Rohail Hyatt's studios in Rawalpindi. A few months later they released the album Aitebar, which soon outsold its predecessor, Vital Signs 2. On Aitebar, the Vital Signs returned to the upbeat mood of their first album. After performing a number of concerts, they headed out with director Shoaib Mansoor to film Geetar ‘93, a Pepsi-financed venture featuring videos shot all across Pakistan.

During 1995, Vital Signs began work on their fourth album. Vital Signs asked Assad Ahmed (from Awaz and then Karavan) to play on the new album. The album was titled Hum Tum and was released to critical and commercial acclaim.^{[citation needed]} Producer Rohail Hyatt improved on the moody Pink Floydian sound and production he first attempted on 1991's Vital Signs 2. The melancholic compositions, dark lyrics and somber vocals on Hum Tum were a far cry from Aitebar's upbeat tone.

After the release of Hum Tum, the band concentrated on their personal projects and Vital Signs drifted away. Junaid Jamshed went on to pursue a career as a solo singer, Shehzad Hasan concentrated on his work as a music producer and Rohail Hyatt formed a production company.

There have been several rumors over the years about the band's supposed comeback but none of the plans materialized and Hum Tum remains to be Vital Signs' last studio album.

[edit] Members

Junaid Jamshed

Shehzad Hasan

[edit] Rohail Hyatt (Keyboards / Guitars)

Produced all the Vital Signs albums
Later formed a production house called Pyramid Productions
Composed and produced the number one hit track Jiya Dhadak Jaye sung by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan
Is regarded as one of the finest Music producers in Pakistan

[edit] Junaid Jamshed (Vocals)

Released three solo albums after Vital Signs' fourth album, all produced by Shoaib Mansoor.
Announced that he would not perform or make any more music several times due to his religious commitments but changed his mind several times.
Owner of a successful fashion label in Pakistan.