S. B. John
Sunny Benjamin John (Urdu: سنی بَینجمن جان; 1934 – June 5, 2021), popularly known as S. B. John (Urdu: ایس بی جان), was a singer from Karachi, Pakistan.[1][2]
Sunny Benjamin John | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 1934 Karachi, Pakistan |
| Died | June 5, 2021 Karachi |
| Nationality |  Pakistan |
| Other names | S. B. John |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Years active | 1950 – 2010 |
| Employer | Radio Pakistan |
| Notable work | song in the 1959 film Savera (1959) |
| Awards | Pride of Performance Award by the President of Pakistan in 2011 |
Personal life
He was educated at St Paul's English High School, Karachi. He was married in 1957. He has four sons and a daughter.[2] Two sons are musicians and one a singer.[3]
Career
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.[2] 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.[1]
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.[4]
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.[5]
Awards and recognition
- Pride of Performance Award by the President of Pakistan in 2011 for his services in the field of music.[6]
John has been listed among the 20 best Pakistani ghazal singers of all time.[7]
Recent activity
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.[8]
Indian film producer Mahesh Bhatt re-recorded John's 1959 song in the voice of his son, Glenn John.[9] Bhatt also used this song in his film ‘Woh Lamhe’.[10]
John led a retired life in Karachi[1] until his death on June 5, 2021.[2]
References
- "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.
- Salman, Peerzada (6 June 2021). "Renowned singer S.B. John passes away". Dawn. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
- X2 Live 29 November 2020
- Eminent music director M Ashraf remembered on his 13th death anniversary Daily Times (newspaper), Published 5 February 2020, Retrieved 2 July 2020
- Rabe, Nate (5 July 2015). "Five Pakistani-Christian singers who were the mainstay of Lollywood's golden years". Scroll.in. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
- President confers civil awards on Independence Day Business Recorder (newspaper), Published 15 August 2010, Retrieved 1 July 2020
- "20 Best Pakistani Ghazal Singers of All Time". DESIblitz. 25 April 2019. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
- "Students wow audience with soulful songs at Obhartay Sitaray's grand finale". The News International. Pakistan. 17 November 2019. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
- Justin, Umair (14 May 2020). "CH Atma". Daily Times. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
- DailyTimes.pk (18 October 2017). "Master Manzoor Hussain - the creator of melodies". Daily Times. Retrieved 20 November 2020.