Junoon controversy rolls on

In recent weeks, a huge controversy has raged around Junoon. Though notoriety is nothing new for the band, this time matters took a serious turn as speculation concerning the group’s break-up threatened to transform into cold, hard truth with the exit of bassist Brian O’Connell. Despite Salman Ahmad’s silence at the time, it was crystal clear that there was trouble in Xanadu. If Brian’s confused statements and Salman’s silence was anything to go by, Junoon Enterprises seemed to be in a state of retreat. However, there was one vital cog left in this music-making machine that had yet to speak: Ali Azmat. The mercurial, temperamental lead singer of the band seemed, at least from the outside, to be far away from all the commotion. He was basking in the glory of a hit single (Garaj Baras), was working full steam ahead on his debut solo effort and there was even talk of offers from Bollywood…