S. B. John

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Sunny Benjamin John

BornOctober 1930
Karachi, Pakistan
Died5 June 2021(2021-06-05) (aged 90)
Karachi
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: ایس بی جان),[1] was a singer from Karachi, Pakistan.[2][3]

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.[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

He was born in Karachi and he started his singing career from

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,

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

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

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.[11]

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

References

  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.

External links