Zoheb Hassan (born: November 18, 1966) is a self retired Pakistani pop icon, and left the music industry after the sad demise of his sister and sub-continental pop legend, Nazia Hassan.
Career
Zoheb Hassan is now CEO of B&H International Pvt Limited [www.bh.com.pk] one of Pakistan's leading media & entertainment companies and Director of Hassan International, a leading Pakistani real estate group with substantial holdings in the UK. He is also the Advisor to Governor Sindh and holds office at the prestigious Governor House in Karachi. Zoheb is presently organising Pakistan's 4th Media & Entertainment Expo www.mex.com.pk which held in June 2009.
Early career
He and his late sister Nazia spent their childhood in Karachi as well as London. In late 1970s, both siblings attended and sang at "Sang Sang Chalien" and "Kaliyon Ke Mala", famous musical shows for children hosted by the music maestro Suhail Rana. Ironically, in the early days Zoheb was not so interested in music at all. He used to shy away from TV shows. According to him when it was time to record a show he would hide behind a sofa. But his mother convinced him to accompany Nazia to the children's tv show. Later he developed a keen interest in playing guitar and requested famous musician Alamgir to give him guitar lessons. In mid 70s Nazia and Zoheb's family shifted to London and both continued music but only as a hobby.
It the early part of 1980 Hassan's father invited Indian actors Vinod Khanna, Zeenat Aman and Feroz Khan to a dinner while they were in London shooting the film Qurbani. Feroz Khan, who was also the producer of the film, inquired who the guitar in the corner of the dining room belonged. Zoheb promptly answered it was his. He asked Zoheb to play a number. He did so accompanied by Nazia on vocals. Feroz Khan were extremely impressed with the talent of duo and since he required a female vocalist for his film he asked Nazia if she would play back for Zeenat Aman. Luckily their parents agreed and hence a new kind of music never heard before in the sub-continent was introduced what is now Asian pop. Nazia's number "AAp Jaisa Koi" broke all records as the fastest and highest selling record of all time not only in the sub-continent but in all of Asia.
Later Zoheb debuted in 1981 with album Disco Deewane, a groundbreaking[citation needed] album that was a mega hit[citation needed] in over 23 countries of the world. This particular album is credited[by whom?] as pioneering the pop culture in sub-continent, outselling international albums such as Saturday Night Fever. Indian pop singers like Lucky Ali, Alisha Chinoy and Baba Sehgal, and Pakistani pop singers like Vital Signs, all are said to be inspired by the early work of Nazia and Zoheb Hassan.[citation needed]
In 1982, Nazia and Zoheb released their second album Star/Boom Boom, once again achieving great success, Star was a bollywood movie and Zoheb rendered majors hit like 'Ooee Ooee, Dheree Dheree and Zindagi. Star was followed by yet another two hit album "Young Tarang" (1984), and "Hot Line" (1987) making Nazia and Zoheb into the most famous duo of Asia comparable to the Carpenters and Donnie and Marie Osmond. Nazia Hassan and Zoheb Hassan are still regarded[by whom?] as the most influential international artists to come out of the sub-continent.
Zoheb sang duet songs with his sister Nazia; famous songs include "Dosti", "Tere Qadmon ko", and "Dum Dum DeDe". He also scored hit solo songs, including "Zara Chehra to", "Paisa" and "Pyaar ka jaadu".
During the reign of General Zia, Nazia and Zoheb hosted the most highly watched and controversial music ever broadcast on Pakistani television. The reason for its success was that it gave the youth of Pakistan a voice and an opportunity to express themselves in an era that was highly religious and culturally stunted. The programme Music '89 a show which was watched more than an international cricket match catapulted at that time relatively new acts such as Vital Signs, Jupiters, Ali Azmat, etc to instant recognition.
In 1992 Zoheb Hassan released last album with his sister Nazia Hassan, Camera Camera; it was huge hit in Indonesia and Pakistan. The album which was to be their last due to Nazia's health concerns was geared to propagate an anti narcotics campaign with songs like "Nasha Na Karo". This album topped the charts in Indonesia, outselling George Michael. Zoheb Hassan's blockbusters like 'Wala Wai' and 'Keon' proved his vocal versatility.
In 1995, Nazia went on to marry. The marriage ended in divorce just before the demise of Nazia Hassan on August 13, 2000. Zoheb took some time off from music, only to make a reluctant comeback as a solo artist with a soundtrack album Kismet in 2006. Notable songs include "Kismet", "Fashion" and "Jeena". Zoheb also acted in the Kismet Drama Serial which was aired as a 26-episode serial on GEO Television.
Zoheb Hassan also sang for SAF Games in 2001, performed on PTV Awards Ceremony (2002), sang as a guest singer in Najam Sheraz's 'Unn Se Nain', 'Khubsorat Banao' a song written by Nazia Hassan and in a few jingles.
Personal life
Zoheb Hassan did his B.B.A from Richmond College London and joined his father's extensive business based in Pakistan and United Kingdom. He also started his own media company,B & H International, which has now become one of Pakistan's leading media & event management companies. His company has to date organised over 200 events in the past decade. Major annual events include Sindh Festival, Media & Entertainment Expo, Face of the Year,etc. He also organised a special Tribute Concert for his beloved super star sister, Nazia Concert at the Karachi Gymkhana Cricket Ground. Now a days he is also the Advisor to the Governor of Sindh on Sindh Promotion. Zoheb married Gina in September 1998, and is a father of two daughters, Allyana and Amelia and one son Azmeer.
Zoheb's ancestors
Zoheb’s father Mr. Basir Hassan is a known businessman and his mother Mrs. Muniza Basir was an active social worker in her youth. Zoheb’s grandfather and Basir Hassan’s father, Nawab Syed Saghiruddin Hassan was the Vice President of Muslim League, Delhi and owners of the 1st Ginning Mill in Multan, Pakistan. Some of their friends included Nawabzada Liaquat Ali Khan, the first Prime Minister of Pakistan and Justice Wajihuddin.
Zoheb’s great grandfather, Khan Bahadur Syed Basiruddin Hassan was very active in social work. He was the founder of Anjuman-e-Himayat-e-Islam, Governor of Lady Dufferin Hospital, and Trustee of Fateh Puri Mosque and built seven primary schools in Delhi.
Discography
Albums
- Disco Deewane (1980)
- Star/Boom Boom (1982)
- Young Tarang (1984)
- Hotline (1987)
- Camera Camera (1992)
- Kismat (album) (2006)
Films
- Star/Boom Boom (1982)
- Dil Wala (1986)
- Ilzaam (1986)
- Sheela (1987)
- Saaya (1989)
Solo's
- Our Love Last Forever (1981)
- Dreamer Deewane (1981)
- Don't Think Twice (1988)
- Ankhien Band Karo (1995)
- Star of Asia (2002)
- Medlay (2002)
- Sathi Ray (2003)
- Khubsoorat (2003)
TV appearances
- Disco Deewane (BBC Show 1981)
- Disco Deewane (DD 1 1981)
- BBC News (1981)
- Zia Moh-u-Din Show (Channel 4 1981)
- David Sole (1981)
- David Essex (1981)
- Neelam Ghar (1983–1988)
- Young Tarang Show (DD 1 1984)
- Aap Ke Liye (PTV 1985)
- Youth Festival (1985)
- PTV Election Transmission (1985)
- TV Hits (1987)
- BBC Show (1987)
- 7Th PTV Awards (1987)
- PTV Awards (1988)
- Don't Think Twice (1988)
- Aap Ka Zamir (1987)
- Music 89 (1989)
- Nazia Zoheb Dubai show 89 (1989)
- PTV Silver Jublie Show (1989)
- Private Eye
- Aap Ke Mehman (1990)
- PTV 25 (1990)
- Mehman-i-Khasosi (1990)
- Studio 2 (1990)
- Eid Show (1992)
- Kaliyan (1990–1991)
- Pro Audio Show (1995)
- PTV World (1998)
- PTV Top Ten (1999)
- Zee Tv (2000)
- Tribute Concert to Nazia Hassan (2002)
- PTV Prime (2000)
- PTV Nite Time Transmission (2002)
- PTV Awards (2002)
- Face of The Year (2002)
- Black & White (Indus Vision 2002)
- PTV Ramdan Transmission (2003)
- Face of The Year (2003)
- Gaye Ge Dunia Geet Mere (Geo TV, 2003)
- Kismet Show (Geo TV, 2006)
- Hum Morning Show (Hum Tv, 2007)
- PTV ED Live Transmission (August 13, 2007)
- Marina Morning (ARY Digital, October 31, 2007)
- Baat Nikley Gee Tu (ARY Digital, December 26, 2007)
- Tribute to Nazia Hassan (Play TV, 2008)
- Nazia Hassan Ke Salgirah (MTV, 2008)
- Subah Sawaire with Shaista (ARY OneWorld, 2008)
- Sunday with Bushra (Geo Entertainment, April 27, 2008)
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TV dramas
- Kismet (Geo Tv, 2006)