Žeteoci
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1966 in Zagreb, Yugoslavia |
| Founder | Mijo Bergovec, Mato Dukić, Mijo Gabrić, Josip Pustički |
| Defunct | 1971 |
| Headquarters | Zagreb , Yugoslavia |
| Products | Rock music albums and singles |
Žeteoci (meaning The Harvesters) was a rock group originating from Zagreb in 1966 within the Yugoslav music scene. Established by four students enrolled at the Zagreb Catholic Faculty of Theology, the band performed beat music infused with religious themes, marking them as Yugoslavia’s inaugural Christian rock ensemble and among the earliest in any communist nation. They played a significant pioneering role in shaping the Yugoslav rock scene. Their only album, To nije tajna, released in 1969, holds the distinction of being the second full-length rock album in Yugoslav history.
Operating openly as a faith-based band under a communist government, Žeteoci leveraged Yugoslavia’s distinctive political environment within the Non-Aligned Movement, attracting media coverage and gaining popularity among young audiences. Their album was issued through a collaboration between Glas Koncila, the Catholic Church’s official publication, and the state-owned record label Jugoton. The group disbanded in 1971 after members completed their theological education and entered the priesthood.
1966–1971
The ensemble was formed in late 1966 by Mijo Bergovec, Mato Dukić, Mijo Gabrić, and Josip Pustički, initially named Bijeli Kolari (White Wheelwrights). All founding members were theology students.[1] Their early performances were informal until their first televised appearance in 1967 on Television Belgrade's program Koncert za ludi mladi svet.[1]
By 1968, equipped with an electric guitar donated by Cardinal Franjo Šeper,[1][2] the lineup included Bergovec (vocals, guitar, organ), Dukić (vocals, bass), Valent Bogadi (guitar), and Gabrić (drums).[1] Their inaugural public concert took place on 3 February 1969 at Iskra Hall in Zagreb.[1] The fusion of beat music with spiritual lyrics earned them media nicknames such as "electric musicians in robes".[1] Their setlist featured adaptations of Jesuit Aimé Duval’s songs translated into Serbo-Croatian.[1]
High audience demand led to a planned appearance at Zagreb's Students' Cultural Center being initially prohibited by communist officials, resulting in disturbances and police involvement.[1] After receiving permission to perform one week later, Žeteoci shifted their focus toward international engagements, touring countries including Austria, Italy, Switzerland, the United States, and Canada,[1] where their repertoire combined religious compositions with traditional Yugoslav folk tunes and contemporary pop covers.[1]
Early in 1969 they released their sole studio album titled To nije tajna (It Is Not a Secret).[1] Issued just two months following Grupa 220’s Naši dani, Yugoslavia’s first rock album,[1] this record was produced by Pero Gotovac and distributed through a joint effort between Glas Koncila and the state label Jugoton.[1] The album incorporated elements of rock, pop, and gospel,[1] initially sold primarily via church channels with sales reaching 10,000 copies within its first year,[1] and was reissued twice featuring different cover art. It became the top-selling religious music album in Yugoslavia and is regarded as a collector’s item,[1] earning favorable critiques from the press.[3]
In 1970 they performed once again on Koncert za mladi ludi svet, presenting "Rumeno nebo" ("Ruddy Sky"), a song by Aimé Duval.[4]
Two years post-album release, Žeteoci issued a 7-inch single containing "Majka Marija" ("Mother Mary") and "Bistrička" ("Bistrica Song"), with compositions by Arsen Dedić.[1] Shortly after this release, having completed their theological training, the members disbanded to pursue vocations as Catholic priests.[1]
Post-breakup
Following the dissolution of Žeteoci, every member pursued a vocation as a Catholic priest with the exception of Bergovac, who discontinued his theological education during his fifth year. He completed his studies at the Zagreb School of Medicine and established a career in medicine. Valent Bogati took on the role of parish priest in Grubišno Polje, Mato Dukić served in Velika Pisanica, while Mijo Gabrić contributed as an editor for Glas koncila and the Catholic children's publication Mali koncil (Little Council).
The track "Tmina" ("Darkness") by the group was included in the 2005 box set Kad je rock bio mlad – Priče sa istočne strane (1956–1970) (When Rock Was Young – East Side Stories (1956–1970)), released by Croatia Records, which showcased early influential Yugoslav rock artists.
Studio albums
- To nije tajna (1969)
Singles
- "Majka Marija" / "Bistrička" (1971)
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