Luvtobhang's timeline of Bhangra, a place to collect and share the history of Bhangra!
Created by luvtobhang on May 8, 2009
Last updated: 06/25/10 at 09:27 AM
http://www.luvtobhang.com/2010/05/2nd-anniversary-bhang-hosted-by-shanu-karim/
http://www.luvtobhang.com/2010/02/bhanging-in-montreal-march-13-2010/
The Bhanging Continues…September 26th, special guest performance by “JT & Mc Jd”!
http://www.luvtobhang.com/2009/09/september-26th-the-revival/
http://www.luvtobhang.com/2009/07/july-24th-bhangra-in-the-park/
http://www.luvtobhang.com/2008/09/september-20-2008-revival/
http://www.luvtobhang.com/2008/06/june-28th-2008-gladstone-hotel/
B21: B21 comprises brothers Bally and Bhota Jagpal. B21 shot to fame with their first album, "The Sounds Of B21" in 1996 which featured the classic Put Sardara Deh.The duo—originally a trio with Jassi Sidhu, who left the band in 2002—take their name from the Handsworth postcode in Birmingham, England. There newest album is scheduled to drop in 2009.
Sukhbir: He is often referred to as the "Prince of Bhangra". He is based out of Dubai and his Bhangra music varied from fusion to pure Punjabi at times. Sukhbir's unique Bhangra is a fusion of Bhangra with rap, techno and reggae. The juxtaposition of these musical styles is enhanced by Sukhbir’s use of original Bhangra instruments like the dhol.
XLNC: Since coming together XLNC - H.S TALWAR have now released fifteen albums, 2 singles and numerous tracks on compilation albums. Their albums have sold worldwide with performances all over the world. XLNC was the first Asian Bhangra band to be invited to perform in Tokyo, with further performances across Canada, USA, Amsterdam, India and Japan.
Jazzy B: Originally from Namasher in Punjab, "Jazzy B," as he is commonly referred to, has become one of the preeminent Bhangra artists in the world after his debut in 1992. Jazzy B gained high popularity after his super hit album "Oh Kehri" released in 2001.
http://www.jazzyb.com/
Balwinder Safri : Since releasing his first album, Reflections, in 1991, Safri has signed with BMG Multitone and become one of the most sought-after Bhangra singers in the world. His career highlights include his 1994 album, Get Real, which remained atop the Bhangra charts for eight weeks, and releasing the first Bhangra single ever, Legends, in 1995.
APACHE INDIAN : Born on 11 May 1967, in Handsworth, England, and had his first single in 1990, "Movie Over India", initially a white-label pressing, until it was picked up by the reggae distributor Jet Star.
Sukhshinder Shinda: Sukshinder is a bhangra record producer and singer–songwriter. Since releasing his first professional recording in 1989, Dhol Beat 1, Shinda has produced or collaborated on more than 200 albums, including all of Jazzy B's releases. In 2003, Shinda released his first solo album, Gal Sun Ja, which featured the singles "Gal Sun Ja" and "Tere Utteh Akh Ni".
http://www.sukshindershinda.com/
Bally Sagoo: Bally Sagoo, a Punjabi-Sikh, Anglo-Indian raised in Birmingham, England. Sagoo described his music as "a bit of tablas, a bit of the Indian sound. But bring on the bass lines, bring on the funky-drummer beat Surjit Bindrakhia: Hailing from the Punjab, Surjit Bindrakhia has arguably the most powerful and versatile voice of any modern Bhangra singer. Featuring a throaty and wide-ranging voice, Bindrakhia is the most successful traditional artist in the world, producing most of his music in India. He has been famous in Punjab for many years, but he only reached worldwide notoriety with Dupatta Tera Sat Rang Da, one of the most popular Bhangra songs of all time. There are more sustained dhol beats in Bindrakhia`s work than in that of most UK-based Bhangra artists.
Achanak: Having conquered the Asian Bhangra circuit for over a decade, the band moved effortlessly over to the mainstream world music market in 2000. Their exciting live performance recognised by the Womex committee in 2002 has taken Achanak to countries all over Europe. Fusing powerful percussion rhythms with western beats enables the band to put on the most powerful live concerts. Achanak tracks have been featured in Xbox 360 game PGR3.
Johny Zee/ Stereo Nation Tarseem Singh Saini (born 23 May 1967, United Kingdom), is a British singer, composer and actor of Indian descent. He is the lead singer of the pop band Stereo Nation which was formed in 1996. Formerly known as Johnny Zee, he is credited with being the pioneer of cross-cultural Asian fusion music. He first hit the charts in 1989 with the album "Hit the Deck" which spent over 36 weeks on the UK Asian pop charts at number one.
www.stereonation.net
PREMI: Eight members make up the UK based bhangra band, Premi. The album, entitled Nachdi Di Gooth Khulgaye, was released in 1987 on Multitone Records and includes performances on keyboards and percussion by Kuljit Bhamra. One of there most famous songs is “Oh Tina Oh Tina.”
Sahotas: The band Sahotas started in Wolverhampton in the mid-1980s and is composed of five brothers. The Sahotas originally started performing Asian classical music called ‘Ghazals’ during their academic years together. They released a single 'Out of Reach' which was followed by the ‘Right Time’ album breaking into the mainstream top 100.
Malkit Singh: Born in 1972 in Hussainpur, he is most famous for songs like “Gur Nalo Ishq Mita.” He has toured 27 countries along with his band ‘Gold Star’. He was listed in the 2000 Guinness Book of World Records as the highest selling Bhangra artist of all time and was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire in 2008.
http://www.malkitsingh.com/
DCS: Formed in 1983 this band has kept innovating and has grown vastly in popularity in the UK. Consisting of eight members, this band fuses traditional bhangra instruments with modern synthesized sounds. There live show is second only to Apna Sangeet.
http://dcs-band.com/
Apna Sangeet: One of the earliest Bhangra bands in Birmingham, England, Apna Sangeet has created a modern dance music that incorporates elements of Punjabi, Ghazal, Geet, and Kala music. Apna, most famously known for their hit “Mera Yaar Vajavey Dhol”, are still performing and are known as one of the best live acts in Bhangra.
Sardool Sikander: Sardool Sikander is a Punjabi folk singer, sometimes called "The King of Bhangra" making his first appearances on radio and television in the early 1980s with his introductory album, "Roadways Di Laari". He has appeared in numerous films as an actor and musician. Sikander is married to Amar Noori, who is also an accomplished singer and actress.
Alaap Group: The group Alaap, fronted by Channi, the man made famous by his white scarf, hails from Southall, a Punjabi area in London. Their album Teri Chunni De Sitaray, released in 1982 by Multitone, created quite a stir at a time when Bhangra was still in its early days in the UK. This album played a critical role in creating an interest in Bhangra among Asian university students in Britain.
Pardesi: Pardesi the band was formed by Silinder during the early 80's. They are renowned for performing a fusion of Punjabi and Hindi music with other music influences such as reggae, dance and rock. 1989 saw a landmark in U.K Asian music with a release of an album, which has proven to be one of the biggest selling products in Bhangra music titled “Pump up the Bhangra.”
Heera: Fronted by Kumar and Dhami, Heera was one of the most popular bands of the eighties. Fans were known to gatecrash weddings they played. The group established itself with the album Diamonds, released early in the decade. This album is notable for being one of the first Bhangra albums to successfully mix Western drums and synthesizers with traditional Punjabi instruments.
Surinder Shinda: Shinda is an Indian singer and actor. He has had numerous hit songs including putt Jattan De, Truck Billiya, Albiro Bhabhi, Kaher Singh Di Mout and Sohni Lagdi feat. Sukshinder Shinda. He has also appeared in Punjabi films such as Putt Jattan De and Uccha Dar Babbe Nanak Da. Surinder Shinda is still singing today, with his latest song "Gabroo Punjab De" from the album Amplified by producer XS-BASS.
Mohammed Sadiq: Mohd. Sadiq was known for his duets with partner Ranjit Kaur. Some of his hits include Saak Chade and Khali Ghorhi Hinakdi. He was honoured with a lifetime achievement award at the 2007 Punjabi Film Festival in Amritsar.
Chirag Pehchan: Emerging at the height of the Brit-Asian era in the early '80s, Chirag Pehchen successfully combined Punjabi rhythms with reggae, ragga, hip-hop, soul, rock, and dance influences. Formed in the early '80s by percussionist/vocalist Amarjit Sidhu, the group was heard regularly on the LBC Radio program Geetmala and the BBC TV show Network East. Sidhu played an essential role in the evolution of England's Bhanga scene, organizing the annual Asian Pop awards, and launching the Kamlee record label.
Gurdas Mann: Ever since Gurdas Mann gained national attention in 1980 for his song “Dil Da Mamla Hai,” his career has exploded. He has recorded 27 albums and written over 200 songs. His acting career has also been a success, appearing as the lead in several films such as “Waris Shah:Ishq Daa Waaris” and “Yaariyan.”
http://www.gurdasmaan.com
Amarjot Kaur: Once a housewife, she left her marriage to pursue her passion of music. She first became famous singing duets with Kuldip Manak, but in 1980 began to sing with Chamkila. She toured with Chamkila in Canada, the U.S., Dubai, and Bahrain. Sadly, she met the same tragic ending as Chamkila in 1988, when both were gunned down before a performance in Mesumpur.
ROMY GILL: Be it Dhru Tara or Nehron Paar Bangala, Romy Gill had everyone dancing to his tunes, quite literally. He released at total of 11 albums before recently passing away.
AZAAD: Headed by lead singer Parminder, Azaad group`s best album Nachdi Jawani consists of some of the best bhangra tracks ever made. Their song Dil Mera Lagai Oi is still heard at dance floors across the world.
Amar Singh Chamkila: Chamkila, meaning “one that glitters,” began his career writing songs for Surinder Shinda and mastering the tumbi. He started a solo career in 1979 and went on to record duets with Amarjot Kaur, becoming famous, infamous to some, for his unrefined lyrics. His life was tragically ended in 1988 at the age of 27; although, the work of Chamkila lives on through his 200 unreleased songs which have now been recorded by other Bhangra icons.
Kuldeep Manak: His first album, Teri Khatir Heere, was released by HMV. In 1976 his first LP was released called 'Ek tara'. It included the songs Tere Tilley Ton, Chheti Kar Sarwan Bachaa and Ghar Mughlan Deeyan Naara. Further albums included Saahibaan Da Tarla (1978), Ichharan Dhaahaan Mardee and Saahibaan Bani Bhraawaan Dee (1978). Jazzy B is a huge fan of Kuldeep Manak as are many other Panjabi artists, fans and admirers.
A S Kang: A.S. Kang is a world renowned singer whose career spans over four decades. Kang's musical career started in the early 1970's, his first ever recording "Lut Ke lehgai" was a massive hit across the UK. His most famous song, "Khao Pio, Aish Karo" has now become one of the most popular catchphrases around.
Jagmohan Kaur: Jagmohan Kaur was a duet singer in the 70s and 80s with singer K. Deep. They met in Calcutta when Jagmohan was a Gidhha singer. They were known for mixing melody with comedy effectively for entertainment.
Jagjit & Chitra Singh: This husband and wife duo has been singing ghazals together since the late 60s. Their career launched with the release of The Unforgettables. They have sung in Hindi, Punjabi, and Bengali. Their latest album Ustad and Divas dropped in 2007.
Bhujangy: Bhujangy group consisted of Dalbir Khanpur, Tarlochan Bilga, K Biba, and Balbir Khanpur.The group was popularized in the sixties and seventies and was the first band in the seventies responsible for creating excitement in the UK for Bhangra music. Some of their hits included Walayat Main Taan Peeni Aan and Bhabhi Munda Lambran Da. 90's: Bhangra took massive steps toward mainstream credibility in the 1990s, especially among youths. At the beginning of the nineties, many artists returned to the original, folk beats of Bhangra, often incorporating more dhol drum beats and tumbi. This time also saw the rise of several young Punjabi singers.
Didar Sandhu: Didar started out as a poet in his school days until he met Mohammed Sidiqque. He was well known for his lyrical talent and provided lyrics for many famous singers such as Narinder Biba and Surinder Kaur. Didar recorded more than 40 famous songs such as Na Maar Jalama Ve.
Narinder Biba: Narinder Biba Ji learned to sing from none other than Ustad Lal Chand Yamla Jatt. She started her career in music in 1958 when she was 16 and still in school. She introduced the concept of Punjabi operas and sung Heer Ranja with Mohammed Rafi in the 70s and often sung tales of Mirza Sahiba. She was also renowned for her beautiful religious (dharmik) pieces.
Hazara Singh Ramta: Born in Sahiwal, Pakistan on 1 August 1926, Hazara Singh started his musical career in 1952 with All India Radio and HMV. He was known for beautiful ghazals and his comedic folk songs. He relocated to Canada in 1969 and currently resides in Mississauga, Ontario.
Didar Singh Pardesi: Pardesi stepped into the music scene at the early age of 5, singing in Kenya in 1951 on radio and television shows. Didar migrated to the UK in 1975 and dropped his first album “Ambi Da Buta” and had great influence on young UK groups.
Surinder Kaur: Surinder Kaur took to music early, studying classical music at the age of 12. She made her professional debut on Radio Lahore in 1943 and was signed with HMV. After the partition of Punjab in 1947, Surinder Kuar moved to Bombay and began a successful career singing folk songs for films. She recorded more than 2000 folk songs and is arguably the most influential female Punjabi singer, having influenced decades of young women.
Prakash Kaur: The elder sister of Surinder Kaur, she recorded her first song in 1943 with Surinder Kaur.
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