Rolling Stone India March 2024 Cover
The iconic Zakir Hussain – and three-time 2024 GRAMMY® Award winner – is Rolling Stone India’s cover star for March 2024. The table superstar, who turns 73 on 9 March, speaks with Narendra Kusnur about his six-decade career. Framed within six movements, the article explores his rich and influential life and career.
“Movement 1 – Theka
“For tabla virtuoso Ustad Zakir Hussain, who will turn 73 this month, the decision to attend the Grammy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles on February 4th was taken at the last minute. Both he and guitarist John McLaughlin, who had co-founded the Indo-jazz fusion group Shakti in 1973, had other commitments. Hussain managed to juggle his schedule and was delighted to be present at the prestigious event.
“The new Shakti album This Moment went on to win the Best Global Music Album award. Hussain won two other Grammys for the album As We Speak, featuring banjo player Bela Fleck, bassist Edgar Meyer, and flautist Rakesh Chaurasia. It won the Best Global Music Performance award for the song “Pashto,” and the Best Contemporary Instrumental Album. He thus became the first Indian artiste to pick up three Grammys in a single night. He had earlier played an active part in the Grammy-winning albums Planet Drum (1991) and Global Drum Project (2008), spearheaded by Mickey Hart, drummer of the rock band Grateful Dead.”
Click here to read the full Rolling Stone India cover feature.
Photo: Jeremy Cowart
