February 2022 is proving to be one of the darkest months for music lovers as we have faced two grave losses – the demise of Lata Mangeshkar Ji and now Bappi Lahiri. The veteran singer-composer died on Tuesday at the age of 69 due to OSA (obstructive sleep apnea).
The nation is in mourning and tributes poured in from all quarters, including from PM Narendra Modi, who tweeted, “Shri Bappi Lahiri Ji’s music was all encompassing, beautifully expressing diverse emotions. People across generations could relate to his works. His lively nature will be missed by everyone. Saddened by his demise. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti.”
Bappi Da was popularly known as the Disco King of Bollywood. Yet this King was a diehard fan of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. To his good fortune, Bappi Da actually got to meet his lifelong love in 1996 during hid India visit.
Yet today both of them have left us. It is just their unforgettable music that remains.
Michael Jackson parted his soul on June 25, 2009 and Bappi Da was extremely emotional about it for which he even composed a special song for MJ.
Very often, Bappi Lahiri spoke about meeting his musical idol.
When Michael Jackson Was Allured By Bappi Lahiri
Lahiri reminisced how MJ was full of praise for him. He had even heard a couple of his songs.
“When Michael Jackson was in India, I had met him. I still remember him praising my song. He had told me, ‘I love your song in Disco Dancer’. He said he had liked the song Jimmy Jimmy. The public have always loved me but Jimmy Jimmy was a historic song,” Lahiri shared in a show.
But it was particularly his heavy gold jewelry that fascinated Jackson. Bappi Da was known for his ‘gold man image’, and was never seen without his trademark gold chains, which he wore for good luck.
“The industry first noticed me after Zakhmee (1975). My mother gave me a small gold necklace to celebrate. When I got married in 1977, my wife gave me two more: a ‘B’ for Bappi locket, and this Ganapati one. When I met Michael Jackson in 1996 when he came to Bombay, he saw it and said, ‘Oh, what a beautiful Ganesh!’”, he told in a media interview.
Bappi Da could have easily gifted his ornaments but not that with Ganapati because it was a lucky charm for him.
“But then I thought, he has everything, whereas I have only this gold that is lucky for me. There was one more thing — I was born in Kolkata but it is the soil of Maharashtra that gave me its blessing. If I gave Michael the Ganesh, then maybe the blessing would leave me too,” he added.
Bappi da, was a major success in the 1980s and 1990s. He is known for songs such as I Am A Disco Dancer, Yaar Bina Chain Kahaan Re, Tamma Tamma Loge, Koi Yahaan Naache Naache, Ooh La La, etc.
The world will miss him and his music.