Ayub Bachchu's seventh death anniversary today

Today (18 October) marks the seventh death anniversary of Bangladesh's rock icon Ayub Bachchu, the legendary singer, guitarist, composer, and music director whose contributions transformed the country's modern music landscape.

One of the most celebrated rockstars in Bangladesh, Bachchu passed away on this day in 2018 at the age of 56, following a cardiac arrest at his Moghbazar residence in the capital.

The legendary frontman of Love Runs Blind (LRB) is being remembered across the nation by his family, fans, fellow musicians, and admirers through tributes, prayers, and special media features.

To mark the day, a memorial event, milad, and doa mahfil were scheduled to be held this evening at Celebration Community Point in Moghbazar, jointly organised by the Chattogram Musicians Club, Dhaka, the Ayub Bachchu Foundation, and Bandhumahal.

According to Abdullah Al Masud, general secretary of the Ayub Bachchu Foundation, prayer gatherings have been held at different mosques since 17 October. The series of commemorative programmes will conclude on 20 October in Chattogram, where local musicians will pay tribute to the late rock maestro.

Among the many tributes, filmmaker Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, who collaborated with Bachchu on the fan-favourite Bachelor soundtrack "Ami To Preme Porini," shared a video of musician Khan Moidul Islam (D-Rockstar Shuvo) performing Bachchu's classic "Cholo Bodle Jai" with the caption: "AB forever."

The performance took place in Beijing, China, during a cultural event celebrating 50 years of Bangladesh–China diplomatic relations. Shuvo performed two of Bachchu's timeless numbers, "Ghumonto Shohore" and "Cholo Bodle Jai," alongside popular musicians Oni Hasan, Emon Chowdhury, and his Bengal Symphony.

"I performed two of his songs — Ghumonto Shohore and Cholo Bodle Jai. Even the foreign diplomats joined in cheering with our Bengali audience. That's the universal power of the legendary Ayub Bachchu's music," Shuvo told UNB from Beijing.

Born on 16 August 1962, in Patiya's Khorna Union of Chattogram, Ayub Bachchu was the son of Mohammad Ishaque Chowdhury and Nurjahan Begum.

He began his musical journey with the band Golden Boys (later renamed Ugly Boys) alongside his childhood friend and renowned singer Kumar Bishwajit. He later played with leading bands Feelings and Souls, sharing the stage with another rock icon, James, before founding LRB in 1991.

Under Bachchu's leadership, LRB performed over 2,500 concerts at home and abroad, including a US tour covering seven states.

Throughout his prolific career, Ayub Bachchu released 16 solo albums, founded the "AB Kitchen" studio and production house, and composed numerous film soundtracks, including hits such as "Ammajaan," "Sagorika," "Ononto Prem," and "Ami To Preme Porini."

His timeless creations — "Rupali Guitar," "Cholo Bodle Jai," "Ekhon Onek Raat," "Koshto," "Shei Tumi Keno Eto Ochena Hole," "Ferari Ei Monta Amar," "Ekdin Ghum Bhanga Shohore," and "Hashte Dekho Gaite Dekho" remain cherished anthems of Bangladeshi rock music.

Even years after his passing, Ayub Bachchu's voice, vision, and "Rupali Guitar" continue to echo through generations of fans who keep his legacy alive.