SPB (1946-2020): ‘Thank you for all the music and memories’

The passing away of the legendary singer SP Balasubrahmanyam has left his fans saddened. Many celebrities are paying their tribute to him on social media.

Singer-actor SP Balasubrahmanyam succumbed to coronavirus on Friday. The 74-year-old actor was admitted to MGM Healthcare in Chennai in the first week of August after testing positive for coronavirus.

SPB’s son SP Charan told reporters at MGM Healthcare, “SPB belongs to everyone. He will live on in his songs. My dad passed away at 1.04 pm.”

A statement from the hospital read, “Thiru S P Balasubrahmanyam had been admitted at MGM Healthcare on August 5th and commenced on life support measures since August 14th for severe COVID-19 pneumonia. He continued to be closely monitored by our multidisciplinary team in the critical care unit. He tested negative for COVID-19 on September 4th. In a further setback this morning, despite maximal life support measures and the best efforts of the clinical team, his condition deteriorated further and he suffered a cardio-respiratory arrest. With profound grief, we regret to inform that he has passed away on September 25th at 13:04 Hours. We express our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, well-wishers and admirers at their loss during this time of anguish and sorrow.”

The passing away of the legendary singer has left his fans saddened. Many celebrities are paying their tribute to him on social media.

Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh YS Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed his condolences to SPB’s family. In a statement, the CM said, “Sripathi Panditaradhyula Balasubrahmanyam, popularly known as SPB, has been the refreshing notation of film music spanning over five decades, enthralling the connoisseurs and common people alike through his multifaceted talent.”

Rajinikanth posted a video message mourning the demise of legendary singer SP Balasubrahmanyam. Along with it, he wrote, “#RIP Balu sir … you have been my voice for many years … your voice and your memories will live with me forever … I will truly miss you …”

“Unable to process the fact that #SPBalasubramaniam garu is no more. Nothing will ever come close to that soulful voice of his. Rest in peace sir. Your legacy will live on. Heartfelt condolences and strength to the family,” tweeted Mahesh Babu. 

Jr NTR paid his tribute to SPB in a heartfelt message on Twitter. He wrote, “Indian Music has lost its favourite son. Devastated! In a Legendary career spanning over five decades,Padma Bhushan S.P Balasubrahmanyam Garu has breathed life into over 40,000 songs. As long as music exists in this universe, you will live on sir.” 

“Really heartbroken..Balu sir thank you for your contribution to the film industry..You will live forever through your voice! Rest in peace Balu garu!” actor Varun Tej shared via Twitter. 

Film director Prashanth Neel shared a lovely picture of SPB and along with it, he wrote, “Thank you for an unforgettable era sir. You will be missed dearly!!!” 

Actor Nani posted a photo with SP Balasubrahmanyam and shared, “My heart is broken in to a million songs! The only time I called home and told Anju to get Junnu to shoot was when I was shooting with Balu gaaru .. told her he needs to have a picture with the Legend. He will be celebrated as long as music lives!”

Film director Bejoy Nambiar paid his last respects to the legendary singer and tweeted, “None of our playlists are complete without an SPB song ! His legacy will live on through his music. Rest In Peace SPB Sir.” 

“RIP SPB sir. Completely heartbroken. You will be greatly missed but your legend lives on. #SPBalasubramaniam #RIPSPB,” singer-composer Amit Trivedi wrote on Twitter. 

Posting an old picture with SPB, Venkatesh Daggubati shared his grief on losing ‘a legend’. He wrote, “Extremely sad to hear the news of SP Balasubramaniam Garu’s passing. I’ve had the privilege to work with him in some of my best movies like Prema and Pavitra Bandham. We have lost a legend today. My heartfelt condolences to the family. RIP. ?#ripspbalasubramaniyam” 

Expressing her condolences to SP Balasubrahmanyam’s family, actor Anushka Shetty wrote on Instagram, “Heart breaking ….Rest in peace Balasubramaniam garu …you will Always live in our hearts, strength and prayers to the family and all admirers.” 

“I am shocked to learn that our ever-smiling SPB garu is no more. This loss to our fraternity is unimaginable. My deepest condolences to his entire family,” Ram Charan shared on Twitter. 

Ramya Krishnan expressed her condolences to SPB’s family as she wrote on Twitter, “Someone so special can never be forgotten, may his soul rest in peace my deepest condolences to the family….#ripspb sir.” 

MGM Healthcare in Chennai has issued a certificate confirming that SP Balasubrahmanyam is COVID-19 negative. Around 4 pm, the singer-actor’s mortal remains will be shifted to his residence in Kamdar Nagar in Chennai, where the public will be allowed to pay their last respects.

Actor Varalaxmi Sarathkumar shared how the year 2020 is not getting any better. She tweeted, “Like I said this year just isn’t getting any better..another legend gone #ripspb sir..you have given us a world In which we can get lost in.. your voice your music is gonna live forever.. just like how u will live on forever in our hearts and memories..may you find ur peace.” 

“Heartbroken .. you will be missed sir .. thank you for all the music and memories #SPBalasubrahmanyam #RIPSPB,” actor Arya shared on social media. 

A heartbroken Dulquer Salmaan called SPB a “true legend” as he paid his last respects to the singer. He tweeted, “Rest in Peace SPB sir. True legend.”

SPB had an illustrious career in showbiz. He won six National Film Awards and 25 Nandi Awards. The Government of India honoured the singer-actor with the Padma Shri in 2001 and the Padma Bhushan in 2011. Besides holding a Guinness World record for singing over 40,000 songs, the music maestro acted in many films. His major movies include Keladi Kanmani (1990), Thiruda Thiruda (1993), Kadhalan (1994), Ullaasam (1996) and others.

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