Bijelo Dugme
Bosnian and Yugoslav rock band formed in Sarajevo in 1974.
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Bijelo Dugme is a Bosnian and Yugoslav rock band, formed in Sarajevo, SR Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1974. Widely considered the most popular and best-selling band ever to exist in the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, they were one of the most prominent acts of the Yugoslav rock scene. Their debut studio album Kad bi' bio bijelo dugme brought nationwide popularity with its Balkan folk-influenced hard rock sound, and subsequent releases maintained huge popularity described by the Yugoslav press as "Dugmemanija".
The band's early-1980s shift to new wave kept them among the country's most popular acts. After disbanding in 1989 due to the political crisis following the death of Josip Broz Tito, the band reunited in 2005 for three concerts in Sarajevo, Zagreb, and Belgrade, the free Belgrade concert being one of the highest-attended concerts of all time. In 2024, the band had another reunion for its 50th anniversary tour.
Did You Know?
- After the departure of vocalist Željko Bebek in 1983, the band hired Mladen Vojičić Tifa, with whom they recorded only one, highly successful untitled album.
- The band's final vocalist, Alen Islamović, joined in 1986; Bijelo Dugme recorded two albums with him, initiating the short-lived Sarajevo-based New Partisans movement.
History
The band's history begins in 1969, when future leader Goran Bregović was bass guitarist in the band Beštije. He was spotted by Kodeksi vocalist Željko Bebek, and on Bebek's suggestion Bregović joined Kodeksi as bass guitarist. The lineup consisted of Ismeta Dervoz (vocals), Edo Bogeljić (guitar), Željko Bebek (rhythm guitar and vocals), Goran Bregović (bass guitar), and Luciano Paganotto (drums). After performing in a night club in Dubrovnik, Kodeksi were hired to perform in a club in Naples, Italy, but Dervoz's parents did not allow her to go.
In Naples, the band initially played covers of Cream and the Jimi Hendrix Experience, but were soon asked to perform more suitable night club music. After two months, Bogeljić returned to Sarajevo to study, and Bregović switched to guitar. A local Italian musician, Fernando Savino, was brought in to play bass, but after he quit, Bebek called old friend Zoran Redžić, formerly of Čičak. Redžić brought along his Čičak bandmate Milić Vukašinović as replacement drummer for Paganotto, who also quit.
Vukašinović introduced influences from Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, and within two weeks of his arrival, Kodeksi were fired from all clubs they were playing. The foursome of Bebek, Bregović, Redžić and Vukašinović stayed on Capri and in 1970 relocated back to Naples.
The other three persuaded Bebek to stop playing rhythm guitar as it was no longer fashionable. Bebek had trouble adapting vocally to the new material; he would sing the intro on most songs and then step back as the other three improvised, with Vukašinović taking vocal duties more often. Feeling his role reduced, Bebek left Kodeksi in fall 1970 to return to Sarajevo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Bijelo Dugme from?
Bijelo Dugme originated in Sarajevo, SR Bosnia and Herzegovina, SFR Yugoslavia.
Which record labels has Bijelo Dugme released music on?
Bijelo Dugme has released music on Jugoton, Diskoton, Kamarad and Croatia Records.
More in Yugoslav Rock Music Groups
Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Bijelo Dugme (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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