Atomi
| Company type | Rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1961 in Zagreb, Yugoslavia |
| Founder | Darko Brozović, Miroslav "Miro" Wolfhart, Mišo "Zozoli" Zozlik |
| Defunct | 1963 |
| Headquarters | Zagreb , Yugoslavia |
| Products | Rock music recordings, live performances |
Atomi (meaning The Atoms) was a Yugoslav rock ensemble established in Zagreb in 1961, widely acknowledged as trailblazers of the Yugoslav rock movement.
Drawing inspiration from The Shadows, Atomi are considered among the earliest instrumental rock groups in Yugoslavia. Their regional acclaim led them to become the first rock band to record for Radio Zagreb and also the first Yugoslav rock group to be featured on television. The band dissolved in 1963, with a singular reunion event held in 2006.
1961–1964
Atomi came together in late 1961, founded by Darko Brozović (guitar), Miroslav "Miro" Wolfhart (guitar), and Mišo "Zozoli" Zozlik (bass guitar). Alongside technician Ninoslav Kožul, who was officially part of the lineup, they crafted their own instruments and amplifiers. Prior to their debut live show on 2 October 1962, drummer Josip "Pepi" Dajčman joined the group. Influenced heavily by The Shadows, they are regarded as the pioneering instrumental rock band from SR Croatia and possibly throughout Yugoslavia.
Their rising fame earned them regular performances at Zagreb’s Neboder club, which attracted media coverage and led to recording sessions at Radio Zagreb—making them the first rock group to do so there. Their repertoire included songs such as "Sedam dana oko vatre," "Johnny Will" (a cover of Pat Boone), and "Zlatna ulica" (adapted from The Shadows' "Find Me a Golden Street"), enhancing their visibility across Croatia. In October 1962, they recorded music for Television Zagreb’s children’s program Slavica i Mendo, marking the earliest appearance of Yugoslav rock on television.
In 1963, Atomi issued their sole standalone release—a 7" single featuring covers: "Driftin' (U zanosu)" (originally by The Shadows) and "Golden Earrings (Zlante naušnice)" (Les Fantômes). Later that year, they teamed up with vocal group Problem on the EP Juri Gagarin, which contained covers like "Juri Gagarin" (Luciano Beretta) and "Havajski tvist" (The Chakachas), along with original compositions. Additionally, they provided instrumentation for singer Zdenka Vučković’s single "Kralj pajaca" / "Moj rodni kraj".
The band ceased activity in 1963 when members were drafted into the Yugoslav People's Army. Their final performance took place at Zagreb's Variete club on 18 March 1963.
Post breakup, 2006 reunion
In 2001, Atomi’s tracks "Zlatna ulica" and "Zlatne naušnice" were included on the compilation Zlatne godine, which spotlighted Yugoslav rock bands from the 1960s. Several of their recordings such as "Driftin' (U zanosu)", "Johnny Will", and "Golden Earrings (Zlatne naušnice)" appeared in the 2005 box set Kad je rock bio mlad – Priče sa istočne strane (1956–1970), issued by Croatia Records, showcasing pioneering acts from early Yugoslav rock history.
After the passing of Ninoslav Kožul in 2004, original members Darko Brozović, Miroslav "Miro" Wolfhart, and Mišo "Zozoli" Zozlik reunited in 2006 for a commemorative concert at Zagreb’s Bogaloo club celebrating Radio Zagreb’s eightieth and Television Zagreb’s fiftieth anniversaries. Joined by drummer Salih Sadiković, they performed signature pieces including "Driftin' (U zanosu)" and "Sedam dana oko vatre".
EPs
- Juri Gagarin (featuring Problem; 1963)
Singles
- "Driftin' (U zanosu)" / "Golden Earrings (Zlatne naušnice)" (1963)