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S. B. John

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Sunny Benjamin John
PP
BornOctober 1930
Karachi, Bombay Presidency, British India
Died5 June 2021(2021-06-05) (aged 90)
Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
Nationality Pakistan
Other namesS. B. John
OccupationSinger
Years active1950 – 2010
EmployerRadio Pakistan
Notable worksong in the 1959 film Savera (1959)
AwardsPride of Performance Award by the President of Pakistan in 2011

Sunny Benjamin John (Urdu: سنی بَینجمن جان; 1930 – 5 June 2021), popularly known as S. B. John (Urdu: ایس بی جان),[1] was a singer from Karachi, Pakistan.[2][3]

Personal life

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He was educated at St Paul's English High School, Karachi. He was married in 1957. He has four sons and a daughter.[3] Accompanied by his wife and two sons namely Robin and Glenn John, John used to sing gospel on Christmas Eve, on PTV. Two sons are musicians and one a singer.[4] His son, Glenn John was part of Pakistani pop music band - Guru's Trilogy. Indian film producer Mahesh Bhatt re-recorded John's 1959 song 'Tu Jo Nahin Hai' in the voice of his son, Glenn John.[5] Bhatt also used this song in his 2006 released film Woh Lamhe....[6]

Career

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He was born in Karachi and he started his singing career from Radio Pakistan in 1950. His inspiration was his grandfather who was also a singer. His first music teacher was Pandit Ram Chandar Trivedi at the Kalyan Sangeet Vidyala.[3] When television was introduced in Karachi in 1967, John began singing gospel music on Christmas Eve on Pakistan Television. He also performed in stage shows in Karachi. S. B. John rose to fame by recording popular Urdu poetry known as ghazals in his vocals and music.[2]

His best known song was for the 1959 film Savera "Tu Jo Nahin Hai, Tau Kuchh Bhi Naheen Hai". The composer was Master Manzoor Hussain, and lyrics were written by a renowned poet of Pakistan, Fayyaz Hashmi. This song also started the career as a music director of M. Ashraf who went on to become a popular music director in the Pakistani film industry.[7]

John almost missed out when he caught flu on the day of the recording. Fortunately Manzoor Hussain insisted he perform and was wowed by the result.[8]

Awards and recognition

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John has been listed among the 20 best Pakistani ghazal singers of all time.[10]

Recent activity

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In November 2019, he served as one of the judges on a panel of judges consisting of veteran musicians on Obhartay Sitaray (Budding Stars) – an annual inter-school singing competition for students sponsored by The Citizens Foundation of Pakistan annually.[11]

John led a retired life in Karachi[2] until his death on 5 June 2021.[3]

References

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  1. ^ "Friends, admirers remember singer S.B. John".
  2. ^ a b c "Profile of S. B. John (scroll down to read his profile)" (PDF). Dharkan (Canada journal). 14 April 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 April 2010. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d Salman, Peerzada (6 June 2021). "Renowned singer S.B. John passes away". Dawn. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  4. ^ X2 Live 29 November 2020
  5. ^ Justin, Umair (14 May 2020). "CH Atma". Daily Times. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
  6. ^ DailyTimes.pk (18 October 2017). "Master Manzoor Hussain - the creator of melodies". Daily Times. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
  7. ^ Eminent music director M Ashraf remembered on his 13th death anniversary Daily Times (newspaper), Published 5 February 2020, Retrieved 2 July 2020
  8. ^ Rabe, Nate (5 July 2015). "Five Pakistani-Christian singers who were the mainstay of Lollywood's golden years". Scroll.in. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
  9. ^ President confers civil awards on Independence Day Business Recorder (newspaper), Published 15 August 2010, Retrieved 1 July 2020
  10. ^ "20 Best Pakistani Ghazal Singers of All Time". DESIblitz. 25 April 2019. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
  11. ^ "Students wow audience with soulful songs at Obhartay Sitaray's grand finale". The News International. Pakistan. 17 November 2019. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
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