Junaid Jamshed first gained nationwide prominence and international recognition as group 'Vital Signs' vocalist in 1987 with the album, Vital Signs 1. It included the number one single Dil Dil Pakistan, and Tum Mil Gaye. The commercial success of Vital Signs' first album helped develop Pakistan's rock music industry.
In 1994, he released his debut solo album, Junaid of Vital Signs followed by Us Rah Par in 1999 and Dil Ki Baat in 2002. In 2004, Junaid Jamshed left both his engineering and music careers and, since then, has focused on his religious activities for Islam and reciting nasheeds on TV and releasing them on CD's. Junaid Jamshed also owns a clothing boutique with the name "J." (read as "Jay Dot"), which has several outlets throughout Pakistan and some abroad.
In November 2014, Junaid Jamshed was accused of blasphemy and in December 2014, in a video message, he apologized for offending people and making mistakes.
Early life and education
Junaid Jamshed was born in Karachi to Jamshed Akbar, a Group Captain in the Pakistan Air Force.
After graduating from a international boarding high school in yanbu, Junaid Jamshed wanted to join the Pakistan Air Force to become a fighter pilot. However his weak eyesight prevented this. He then entered the University of Engineering and Technology in Lahore, where he took mathematics and physics before declaring his major in mechanical engineering. In 1990, Junaid Jamshed gained a Bachelor of Science degree, graduating in mechanical engineering. With his father's influence, he was employed by the PAF as a civilian contractor and moved on to a short-lived career in aeronautical engineering in the PAF's science command.
In 1983, Junaid Jamshed started performing rock music at Peshawar University and Islamabad University campuses while still a student at UET in Lahore. During this time, Rohail Hyatt was in town searching for a singer for the newly formed band, 'Vital Signs'. Bassist Shahzad Hasan and keyboardist Rohail Hyatt arrived at the campus of Peshawar University to meet Jamshed but were unable to do so because of severe winter weather in Peshawar. That night, Jamshed sang "Careless Whisper", a 1984 single by George Michael, on the university campus. They would not meet with Junaid Jamshed for a further four years. In 1987, Jamshed joined his engineering university's rock band, Nuts and Bolts as a lead vocalist and performed at Flashman's Hotel in Rawalpindi.
The band's guitarist, Nusrat Hussain, and Rohail Hyatt were also there in search of new talent at the hotel. When Jamshed came to perform on stage, Nusrat tipped Hyatt saying, "that kid's coming back; the guy you liked" and "perhaps we should go and see him." Hussain urged Hyatt to see him and after Junaid Jamshed's performance. With the help of Hyatt and Nusrat Hussain, Junaid Jamshed was inducted into the singing group Vital Signs and signed a record deal with record executive and producer Shoaib Mansoor to his PTV Music Studio
Death:
Junaid Jamshed was in Chitral, along with one of his two wives, Nahya Junaid, for a Tablighi Jamaat mission. On 7 December 2016, the two were returning to Islamabad aboard the ill-fated PIA Flight 661, which crashed near Havelian, Khyber Paktunkhwa, killing all on board. Junaid Jamshed was enroute to deliver the Friday sermon at the Parliament mosque. The bodies were burnt beyond recognition. He is survived by his remaining wife Ayesha, three sons, and a daughter.