S. B. John
Sunny Benjamin John (Urdu: سنی بَینجمن جان ), popularly known as S. B. John (Urdu: ایس بی جان ), (born 1934), is a singer from Karachi, Pakistan.[1]
Sunny Benjamin John | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1934 Karachi, Pakistan |
| Nationality |  |
| Other names | S. B. John |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Years active | 1950 – 2010 |
| Employer | Radio Pakistan |
Notable work | song in the 1959 film Savera (1959) |
| Home town | Karachi |
| Awards | Pride of Performance Award by the President of Pakistan in 2011 |
Career
He was born in 1934 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. 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.[2]
Awards and recognition
- Pride of Performance Award by the President of Pakistan in 2011 for his services in the field of music.[3]
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.[4]
In 2019, S. B. John leads a retired life in Karachi.[1]
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.
- Eminent music director M Ashraf remembered on his 13th death anniversary Daily Times (newspaper), Published 5 February 2020, Retrieved 2 July 2020
- President confers civil awards on Independence Day Business Recorder (newspaper), Published 15 August 2010, Retrieved 1 July 2020
- Students wow audience with soulful songs at Obhartay Sitaray's grand finale The News International (newspaper), Published 17 November 2019, Retrieved 2 July 2020