A good article dismissing the rumours that Vital Signs are no more. Cant wait till all three are back together to come out with a new Album!
By Anis Zuberi
He three of them. Junaid Jamshed. Rohail hayar and Shahzad Hasan. Were all there at the Pepsi press conference. The news (or call it a rumour, if you like) that the three members of Vital Signs had fallen out and the band disbanded proved incorrect. At least that afternoon.
But the soft drink company and Vital Signs link is alive and kicking. The six-year old, sponsorship contract has been renewed for two more years and as Rohail Hyatt, who has a nose for such documents, says, the second year would be optional. In other worlds either party could, if it wishes, wriggle out of the agreement at the end of the first year.
“Sponsorships keep the bands running all over the world,” said Junaid Jamshed. “If we had not been sponsored, we would have been forced to charge Rs 500 for a ticket at our concerts, instead of Rs 100.” Shahzad Hasan wasn’t available later to comment on the rumour of the disintegration of the group. But the most elusive of them. Rohail Hyatt was surprisingly at home to pick up the phone on the first buzz. " We have not separated. We have just been lying low. All of us have our individual pursuits as well." The last time they played together was on what they say was a world tour. That was way back in April ’96. However. Rohail could not ioin the other two when they went to Kenya last month. "He had some prior commitments. So we took a session player,"said Junaid. Who was described as a leader of the band in the press note, And front- man by Rohail.
Nizam khan. Marketing Director announced that another Vital Signs album would soon be launched. What he didn’t mention was that it would feature a selection from their repertoire and there would be no new number.
But Junaid is confidant that by marches 23, they would be able to record anther national song and that may well be a part of the album. Meanwhile, one hopes the new number would be able to rival the success of Dil dil Pakistan.