HE may be an "otai" of Malaysian rock music, but Abdul Zamin Abdul Kadir, better known as Jo Branko, is always young at heart.
The dashing gentleman of a guitarist, who celebrates his 55th birthday tomorrow, is currently touring Nashville, the United States, as Malaysia's first brand ambassador for Gibson guitars.
Nashville is the home of Gibson, and its headquarters the Gibson Garage is there.
AMBASSADOR
Jo was officially announced as the brand's ambassador on Oct 2 at Music Bliss and Gibson Guitar Avenue in Starhill Kuala Lumpur, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur.
The event was also attended by Music Bliss chief executive officer Jonathan Lee, Gibson Guitar Avenue brand manager Kenneth Kishan Dave, Music Bliss creative team leader Mohamad Thaqif Noor Azmi, and Jo's manager Noh Alonso.
"My trip to America lasts 10 days, beginning Oct 6, and if I'm lucky, I hope meet some fellow brand ambassadors such as Slash of Guns 'N Roses fame.
"That would be my dream come true!" said Jo at Music Bliss.
FINGERS
Jo's contract with Gibson is for a year, and as a longtime fan of the brand who has played Gibson guitars for 34 years, he said that they "follow what his fingers want".
"I've come up with ideas for seven distinctly Jo Branko Gibson guitar models which suit my playing style. If all goes well they will be available in the market soon," he said.
When asked about his coming projects, Jo said that he was in the process of launching his new band Barbarik's debut album with six songs.
"The launch date is Nov 7, but I have not decided on the venue yet," he said, adding that it would be followed by a Barbarik mini concert at Hard Rock Cafe, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur on Dec 1.
MUSS
Jo formed Barbarik last year, and his bandmates are vocalist Muss who was formerly of May, guitarist Rozaimie and drummer Ainoll.
Barbarik is the "replacement" of Prime Domestic, a shortlived band which Jo formed in 2017 not long after he left iconic rock band Wings.
SERIOUS
Jo admitted that while he was a "Mat Rock" at heart, he was always open to working with non-rock talents, provided they were serious, dedicated and outstanding musicians.
"It is always good to think out of the box, they say. If this saying is translated into music, I'd say it is always good to play out of the box too!" said Joe, who most recently collaborated with hip-hop singer Yonnyboi for a song titled Nadi.
"Nadi was a really cool collaboration - a fusion of rock and hip-hop. I love working with new talents, be they rockers, pop singers, R&B singers or even hip-hop singers."
OTAIS
Jo believes that it is always good for "otais" to keep an open mind and embrace change in the music industry by working with newcomers.
In this way, both seniors and juniors will understand each other well, and pool their ideas to come up with bigger and better songs that will take the industry higher.
"Many new talents have come up over the decades, and I am optimistic that there will be more," said Jo.
"After all, we were all new boys once so let us embrace the new boys of today and tomorrow!"
JOHNNY CASH
Jo added that if old and new work together, the younger generation of music lovers will get to know the "otais" well.
"One good example in the West is the late, great Johnny Cash. Not long before his demise, the country music legend teamed up with the rock band Nine Inch Nails for their hit song titled Hurt, and it was a monster hit!"
GRANDCHILD
Muar born Jo, a father of three, has just welcomed his first grandchild.
"She arrived late last year, the first baby of my eldest daughter Sarah Nisa and her husband Mohamad Adham Noor," he said.
With all his family members "right behind him", Jo has several showcases lined up for 2025, but he cannot reveal them for now.
EDDIE MURPHY
As for acting, while fans fondly remember him as Malaysia's answer to Eddie Murphy's Prince Akeem of Zamunda in 1994's 'Putera', Jo has chosen not to return to the silver screen.
"I don't think I was born to act. I'm rather wooden, unfortunately."
"Nevertheless, it is heartwarming to see my fans call me Raja Hussein of the kingdom of Nusantara, my character in Putera based on Akeem of Zamunda."
"I have fond memories playing that character, and I credit the director Zulkifli M. Osman for doing a great job Malaysianising 'Coming To America'. A lot of scenes were shot in Paris, and it was my maiden visit to the City Of Love."
DATUK AWIE
Jo has appeared in six movies to date. Besides 'Putera', he has starred in 'Pemburu Bayang', 'Amelia', 'Super Star', 'Awang Trasher' and 'Left Wings'.
A founder member of Wings together with its lead singer Datuk Awie, Jo left the band due to creative differences with the 'Sembilu' star in 2016.
ITO
Besides performing as a guitarist for his band, Jo has also composed and written songs for various solo artistes and groups, including Ito of Blues Gang, Def Gab C and NRG.
While he most recently turned down an offer to perform on the same stage as Wings in the coming Rock Warrior Music Festival (RWMF), Jo said that he was always open to "reconciling" with his former bandmates and held no grudges against them.
RWMF will be held at KL Base, Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur on Nov 23 and 24, and features Wings, Search (Kid & Din), XPDC, May, Spider, Pop Shuvit and ACAB.