Guitarist Russell Khan, who accompanied many of Bangladesh’s leading singers for more than three decades, died at his elder sister’s home in Dhaka’s Banani on Thursday. He was 52.
Instrumentalist Azmir Babu confirmed his death to the media.
Russell had been unwell for several days after contracting dengue and chikungunya. He reportedly collapsed in the bathroom at his sister’s home on Thursday morning. A doctor later examined him and pronounced him dead, with a stroke cited as the cause of death.
Over a career spanning more than three decades, Russell performed alongside many of the country’s prominent singers, becoming a familiar face on stage. Besides playing the guitar, he occasionally performed as a vocalist.
His last stage performance was at an event in Manikganj on October 13.
Following news of his death, fellow musicians, artistes, and well-wishers took to Facebook to share condolences and memories of working with him.
His namaz-e-janaza was held at 3:30pm on Thursday at a mosque near his sister’s home in Banani. His body was then being taken to his ancestral home in Bikrampur for burial at the family graveyard.
He is survived by his wife, a son, and a daughter.
