Bijele Strijele
| Company type | Rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1961 |
| Headquarters | Zagreb , Yugoslavia |
| Products | Music recordings, live performances |
Bijele Strijele (meaning The White Arrows) was a rock ensemble from Zagreb, established in 1961 within the Yugoslav music scene. They are acknowledged as trailblazers of the Yugoslav rock movement.
As one of the earliest Yugoslav rock groups, their initial EP released in 1962 marked the first record issued by a Yugoslav rock band. Their repertoire began with renditions of Cliff Richard and the Shadows, eventually expanding to include tracks by The Beatles and other artists. Alongside covers, they produced original compositions that earned them widespread acclaim. Nevertheless, the mid-1960s surge of Yugoslav rhythm and blues bands contributed to their waning popularity, culminating in their dissolution in 1966.
1961-1967
The band originated in the summer of 1961, formed by young men who met during a youth labor project along the Sava river floodplains. The founding members were Ranko Bačić (vocals), Milan Gelb (vocals), Vladimir Rubčić (vocals), Ivica Banfić (guitar), Ignac Pavlović (guitar), Zlatko Tretinjak (rhythm guitar), Željko Ilić (bass guitar), and Predrag "Doda" Drezga (drums). They rank among the first rock groups in Yugoslavia, with some accounts naming them as Zagreb’s or even the country’s inaugural rock band. Initially called Kramp ("Pickaxe"), they soon changed their name to Bijele Strijele. Their debut concert took place in Zagreb during autumn 1961, drawing considerable public interest. Shortly thereafter, Mario "Braco" Škrinjarić replaced Drezga on drums.
Beginning with covers of Cliff Richard and The Shadows, their setlist later incorporated Beatles songs as those became popular. They played at high school events and well-known Zagreb venues such as Varijete, Glazbenjak clubs, Hotel Esplanada, as well as at Hotel Zagreb in Opatija. By late 1962, just before recording their debut EP, Pavlović and Ilić departed; Zlatko Sović took over Pavlović’s role, Banfić switched to bass guitar, and Dražen Susić joined on keyboards. The EP Svi trče oko Sue—released on 6 December 1962 by Jugoton—was the first record by a Yugoslav rock band. It included covers of Dion’s "Runaround Sue" and "The Wanderer," a version of "Sealed with a Kiss" titled "Rastanak," plus the instrumental "Strijele," created by Banfić and Tretinjak.
In early 1963, they secured second place at the Zagreb Festival performing "Ti si moje proljeće," while also providing backing vocals for the quartet 4M on "Platno, boje, kist i twist." These songs were featured on a split 7-inch single and the festival compilation Zagreb 63. Their participation marked a milestone as the first rock band to appear at a pop festival in Yugoslavia, attracting significant media coverage despite some critical press reactions. Around this period Bačić left the group and was succeeded by Ivan Balić. Their subsequent single included instrumental covers: "Divan krajolik" (a rendition of The Shadows' "Wonderful Land") and "Šeći, ne trči" (based on The Ventures' "Walk, Don't Run"). The band progressively incorporated more original songs into their performances, enhancing their appeal among young audiences.
Their second EP Prilika za ljubav (1963) featured "Lađica," a composition by Soviet musician Vasily Solovyov-Sedoi inspired after hearing their Opatija performance. This EP also contained covers of Gene McDaniels' "Take a Chance on Love," Del Shannon's "So Long Baby" renamed "Doviđenja," and "Madison," penned by Nikola and Olga Korbar. Later that year they released a single including Ray Charles' cover "Mrzim taj dan" ("Unchain My Heart"), distinguished by its church organ introduction, alongside their original track "Ritam želje." Additionally, they recorded a promotional single for sewing machine company Bagat named after two machine models; this release was distributed solely for promotional purposes. They also provided backing for Tereza Kesovija on her EP Vrijeme za twist.
In early 1964, Bijele Strijele performed at upscale tea gatherings hosted at Zagreb’s Hotel Palace. That year Vladimir Rubčić joined Mladi; meanwhile, Bijele Strijele toured Vienna and acted as Karlo Metikoš’s backing band during his Yugoslav tour as well as supporting 4M on their EP Dolazi dan. According to music magazine Ritam, they were ranked as Yugoslavia’s second-best band after Crveni Koralji. Their last release was the EP Voli me, which comprised Croatian-language versions of Beatles hits including "Love Me Do," "From Me to You," "Please Please Me," and "I Want to Hold Your Hand." By the end of 1964 Banfić and Škrinjarić departed; former members of Bezimeni—Janko Mlinarić "Truli" and Radovan "Braco" Krajnović—joined along with guitarist Slaven Rački. However, with rhythm and blues bands gaining dominance in popularity, Bijele Strijele’s influence diminished leading to their breakup in spring 1966.
Post-breakup
After the dissolution of Bijele Strijele, Mario Šrkinjarić became a member of the group Jutarnje Zvijezde (Morning Stars) before relocating to France to continue his musical endeavors. Tragically, he passed away in a car crash in 1968 at the age of 33. Drezga died in 1969 when he was 36 years old. Vladimir Rubčić, who had joined Mladi in 1964 and later established a notable career in law, died on 19 August 2011.
In 1994, Croatia Records issued a compilation album titled Izvorne snimke (1962.-1964.) (Original Recordings (1962-1964)), which includes all the songs recorded by the band.
EPs
- Svi trče oko Sue (1962)
- Prilika za ljubav (1963)
- Voli me (1964)
Singles
- "Ti si moje proljeće" / "Platno, boje, kist i twist" (split single with 4M; 1963)
- "Divan krajolik" / "Šeći, ne trči" (1963)
- "Mrzim taj dan" / "Ritam želje" (1963)
- "Ana" / "Maja" (1963)
Compilations
- Izvorne snimke (1962.-1964.) (1994)