Ayub Bachchu, famous Bangladeshi singer, guitarist and songwriter passed away at the age of 56 in Dhaka today. The singer, who was the lead guitarist of the musical band LRB, died at the Square Hospitals in Dhaka, Bangladesh on Thursday (October 18) morning. The singer was declared brought dead on arrival at the hospital at 8.40 am today. The Director of Medical Services at the hospital, Dr Mirza Nizamuddin, said, "Ayub Bachchu suffered heart failure at his home around 8.30am. He died on his way to the hospital. He was found dead on arrival when he reached the hospital at 8.40 am." The singer had undergone a heart valve surgery in 2009 and was visiting the hospital for regular check-ups. He had been suffering from heart tissue damage and health complications for a while now. According to Dhaka Tribune, the first namaz-e-janaza of the singer will be conducted at the National Eidgah grounds on Friday after the Jummah prayers. The singer will be buried at his family graveyard in Chattogram. Bachchu had debuted in the music industry with the song Harano Bikeler Golpo. And was famously known for his first music album Rakto Golap and his second album Moyna. The singer was quite polpular for his work across the modern, classic and folk genres. ALSO SEE | This 12-year-old girl fought cancer and a backward knee to become a dancer<doc-sep>Ayub Bachchu, Bangladesh’s rock legend, prominent singer, composer and founder of musical band LRB, died of a heart attack in Dhaka today at the age of 56. He was taken to Square Hospital around 9:15am when doctors declared him “brought dead”, a staff of emergency unit of the hospital, told The Daily Star. Earlier in the morning, Bachchu was found in an unconscious state at his Moghbazar residence. Read More AB's 25 year musical journey The Maestro Speaks The namaz-e-janaza of Ayub Bachchu will be held at Eidgah Moidan after Jummah prayer tomorrow (Friday), his younger brother said while briefing reporters at Square Hospital. Before his janaza, his body will be kept on the premises of Central Shaheed Minar between 10:30am and 12:30pm so that fans and people from all walks of life can pay their last respects, according to sources at Sommilito Sangskritik Jote. Bachchu will be buried beside the graveyard of his mother at their family graveyard in Chattogram on Saturday as his daughter will reach Dhaka at 1:00am on Saturday, family sources said. His body will be kept in the hospital’s mortuary till then. Soon after hearing the news, members of his fraternity and family gathered at the hospital. The mourning fans, journalists and media personalities were seen gathering in front of the entrance to the hospital. Read More “I want to show the world you can do Blues in Bangla” Ayub Bachchu Meanwhile, President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzmaan Noor expressed deep shock at the death of popular singer Ayub Bachchu, reports UNB. Read more: Life of a legend Born in Chittagong, he started his music career there with the band Feelings in 1978. From 1980 to 1990, he was a member of Souls as lead guitarist and finally in 1991, he formed his own band, LRB or “Love Runs Blind”. LRB released its first album as a double album in 1992, which contained hard rock songs like "Madhobi" "Hoker" "Sesh Cithi keno amon Cithi hoy" "Happy" and "Dhakar Sondha". Ayub Bachchu made his debut in the music industry by giving voice in the song 'Harano Bikiler Golpo', reports UNB. In 1986, he released his first music album 'Rakto Golap'. His success story began when his second album 'Moyna' was released. He rose to fame by releasing his third album 'Koshto' in 1995 and the album was a super hit, adds UNB. From creating one of the most timeless soft-rock masterpieces, Cholo Bodley Jai, switching his guitar tone to overdrive for the heavy metal-esque Shahbagh Mor, or just simply capturing the masses with his pop venture Ek Akasher Tara Tui, Ayub managed to embed his own style in Bangladeshi music. Bachchu was the son of Haji Mohammad Ishuque Chowdhury and Late Nurjahan Parvin. He grew up in the port city of Chittagong, in a joint family, surrounded by cousins, aunts and uncles.<doc-sep>Bangladeshi singer, guitarist and songwriter Ayub Bachchu passed away at his residence in Dhaka on Thursday. He was 56. According to a report published by Dhaka Tribune, the musician breathed his last at city's Square Hospital after suffering a heart attack at his residence. Dr Mirza Nizamuddin, Square Hospital’s Director of Medical Services, talked to Dhaka Tribune and said, “Ayub Bachchu suffered heart failure at his home around 8:30am, and left for Square Hospital with his driver by car. He died on his way to the hospital. He was found dead on arrival after he reached the hospital at 8:40am. On-duty doctors announced his death at 8:55am.” He further added, “Bachchu underwent heart valve surgery in 2009 and was a regular patient at this hospital. He continued to suffer from heart tissue damage and health complications.” Ayub's ‘namaz-e-janaza’ will be held at the National Eidgah ground in Dhaka on Friday after the Jummah prayers. He will later be buried at his family graveyard in Chittagong, said report.<doc-sep>“I couldn’t hold back tears when I heard the news. I attended his concert just few days back at the Muslim School premises and took a photo with him. I can’t accept his sudden departure,” Anik told bdnews24.com. Kaushik, an official in Meenabazar’s Business Development, also queued with roses in hand. He was in a T-shirt with the portrait of Ayub Bachchu embossed on it. “Ayub Bachchu was popular among three generations. My mother loves his music, so do I. My daughter loves his songs too. It’s a big shock to all of us that he has left,” Kaushik told bdnews24.com. “We were lucky to enjoy loads of his contribution to music but it is unfortunate that my daughter is going to miss it. I pray for him that he remains well wherever he is now.” Thousands of fans paying their last tributes to Ayub Bachchu, who popularised rock mucic in Bangladesh, at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka on Friday. Photo: Asif Mahmud Ove The remains of Bachchu were taken to the Shaheed Minar on Friday morning for fans, fellow musicians and artistes and cultural activists to pay tribute. Later, his body was taken to Eidgah Maidan, where namaz-e-janaza was held after Jummah prayers. The artist will be laid to rest beside his mother on Saturday after another namaz-e-janaza in Chattogram, his birthplace. The mortal remains of Ayub Bachchu is being taken to the National Eidgah ground from the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka for Namaz-e-Janaza on Friday. Photo: Asif Mahmud Ove Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor could not hold back his tears as he came to pay his tribute to Bachchu. His fans recalled his wonderful creations and his lifelong dedication to music. “He elevated the level of the band music. I believe the new generation will follow his ideology,” said AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader who came to pay tribute on behalf of his party. “We know that he used to begin all concerts with the national anthem,” Quader said. Fellow musicians and other cultural personalities also talked about Bachchu’s works. “Bachchu Bhai was older than us but he was an evergreen person. He poured out all his love for band music,” said Tanzir Tuhin, former vocal artist of the band Shironamhin. “He was diligent and passionate when it came to his music. He was an institution. He was the one and only Ayub Bachchu among the 160 million people in the country,” said Fuad Naser Babu of Feedback Band. “I have been working with him since the 80s. I have a long train of memories flashing back one by one. He has left when he was at the peak of his musical journey and his fame. It is quite evident with these thousands of people streaming in to pay their respects,” said Sumona Haque, a famed singer and jingle artist with tears in her eyes. People from all walks of life paying their final tributes to singer-guitarist Ayub Bachchu at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka on Friday. Photo: Asif Mahmud Ove Fellow musicians Rabi Chowdhury, Kumar Bishawjit, Safin Ahmed, Nakib Khan, Nasim Ali Khan, Tapan Chowdhury paid their respects to Bachchu. “Bachchu was our childhood friend. He was the music director for my first album. I hope his music lives on to the future generations,” said Nasim Ali Khan. “I was reassured of people’s love for Bachchu after coming here. May his soul rest in peace,” said singer Tapan Chowdhury. Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University Muhammed Samad paid his respects to the musician. “Ayub Bachchu is a star in the arena of band music. He had immense love for the country and its people and honour for the Liberation War. The beloved musician, who popularised rock music in Bangladesh alongside his band LRB, died at the age of 56. The singer, guitarist, lyricist and composer was a founding member of the band LRB (Love Runs Blind). Ayub Bachchu, also known as AB to his fans, carved out a legendary position in the history of Bangladesh’s band music. In addition to his extraordinary role in rock music as a singer and composer, Bachchu was one of the leading guitarists in the country. He was also well-known for his distinctive style and the flamboyant look of his guitars, which captivated audiences for over four decades. The mortal remains of Ayub Bachchu is being taken to the National Eidgah ground from the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka for Namaz-e-Janaza on Friday. Photo: Asif Mahmud Ove On Aug 16, his birthday, Bachchu told bdnews24.com that his greatest achievement was being able to make his fans happy and earn their love. He also said he was planning to write a memoir. “I’ll begin the work after the Eid. I’ll go somewhere outside Dhaka, where there are no phones and no internet. I will go where I can eat fish freshly caught in the river, eat rice and drink water. I’ll come back to Dhaka after the work is finished.” There is still a long way to go, Bachchu had told bdnews24.com that day. ‘Ayub Bachchu was born in Chattogram in 1962. In an interview Bachchu said he always loved music and became a singer through ‘trial and error’ during his early years. He fell in love with the western music and began to play guitar. He drew inspiration from the guitarists like Jimi Hendrix, Joe Satriani and Steve Moore. While in college he formed a band in college named ‘Ugly Boys’. They performed at neighbourhood programmes. Thousands of people take part in the Namaz-e-Janaza for legendary singer-guitarist Ayub Bachchu at the National Eidgah ground on Friday. Photo: Asif Mahmud Ove As a professional, he joined the band Feelings in 1978 and then worked with Souls in 1980. After playing with them for 10 years, he formed LRB or Love Runs Blind from “the deepest of his impulses” in 1991. LRB started playing live gigs in the following years and ushered in a new chapter in the history of music in Bangladesh. With its eagerness to create something revolutionary, LRB debuted with a double album in 1992.<doc-sep>
Bachchu was brought in an unconscious state to Dhaka’s Square Hospital around 9:15am on Thursday, said Emergency Division nurse Habibur Rahman. The singer, guitarist, lyricist and composer was a founding member of the band LRB (Love Runs Blind). He was 56 years old. Fans, musicians and cultural figures rushed to the hospital after news of his death spread. President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is currently in Saudi Arabia, have expressed their grief over the death of the singer. Cultural personalities as well as fans pour their hearts out online over the news of Bachchu’s death. “Ayub Bachchu! No!! Why?? Who will now play the blues with you throwing us into the blues? This is NOT fair! There was so much to be done, to be heard, to be seen, to be composed, to be sung, to be loved, to be jammed, to be toured, to be released, to be hummed, to be strummed...” wrote ABC Radio host Naveed Mahbub in his Facebook post. “A star of our teenage and youth left us leaving his silver guitar behind. I have spent thousand emotional nights with your songs; those memories will now be tagged with your songs. Your music will remain in my heart as long as I live. You were not just a singer but a chapter in my life,” wrote fan Tanvir Ahmed. LRB bandmate Shamim told bdnews24.com that Bachchu had been ill for some time. His condition suddenly worsened on Thursday morning and he was taken to Square Hospital. “He had a heart attack this morning,” Square Hospital Medical Service Director Mirza Nazimuddin told the media. “The driver brought him to the hospital around 9:15pm. He died before he arrived.” Ayub Bachchu, also known as AB to his fans, carved out a legendary position in the history of Bangladesh’s band music. In addition to his extraordinary role in rock music as a singer and composer, Bachchu was one of the leading guitarists in the country. He was also well-known for his distinctive style and the flamboyant look of his guitars, which captivated audiences for over four decades. On Aug 16, his birthday, Bachchu told bdnews24.com that his greatest achievement was being able to make his fans happy and earn their love. He also said he was planning to write a memoir. “I’ll begin the work after the Eid. I’ll go somewhere outside Dhaka, where there are no phones and no internet. I will go where I can eat fish freshly caught in the river, eat rice and drink water. I’ll come back to Dhaka after the work is finished.” There is still a long way to go, Bachchu had told bdnews24.com that day. Bachchu will be taken to the Central Shaheed Minar at 10:00 am on Friday so that people can pay their respects, cultural organiser Nasir Uddin Yusuf told bdnews24.com. His funeral prayers will be held at National Eidgah premises. The legendary singer will be laid to rest beside his mother in Chattogram on Saturday following another funeral service after his children return from abroad. Ayub Bachchu was born in Chattogram in 1962. In an interview Bachchu said he always loved music and became a singer through ‘trial and error’ during his early years. He fell in love with the western music and began to play guitar. He drew inspiration from the guitarists like Jimi Hendrix, Joe Satriani and Steve Moore. While in college he formed a band in college named ‘Ugly Boys’. They performed at neighbourhood programmes. As a professional, he joined the band Feelings in 1978 and then the band Souls In 1980. After playing with them for 10 years, he formed LRB or Love Runs Blind from “the deepest of his impulses” in 1991. LRB started playing live gigs in the following years and ushered in a new chapter in the history of music in Bangladesh. With its eagerness to create something revolutionary, LRB debuted with a double album in 1992. Bachchu’s band performed more than 500 open-air and about 2,000 indoor concerts at home and abroad, according to its website. His first show outside Bangladesh was held in India in 1997. LRB is the only Bangla rock band to perform at the Madison Square Garden in New York. Bachchu performed in seven states during his tour of the United States in 1998, according to the LRB website.