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Džentlmeni

From Alfawiki
Džentlmeni
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1966
Defunct1972
Headquarters
Belgrade
,
Yugoslavia
Area served
Yugoslavia
ProductsRock music

Džentlmeni () was a rock ensemble from Yugoslavia, established in Belgrade in 1966.

Just one year after their inception, the group divided into two separate units. The first faction, which included the original rhythm guitarist Milorad Novak, dissolved within a year. The second faction consisted of the original bassist Živorad "Žika" Jelić and drummer Velibor "Boka" Bogdanović, who were joined by Žika's brother Dragan "Dragi" Jelić (guitar), Mihajlo Simikić (tenor saxophone, clarinet, piano, vocals), and Branko Marušić "Čutura" (vocals, rhythm guitar). This lineup achieved widespread acclaim across Yugoslavia, becoming one of the leading rock acts of the 1960s. In 1970, the Jelić brothers departed to create the renowned YU Grupa, while Marušić steered Džentlmeni through multiple personnel changes. Subsequent members included distinguished artists such as Zlatko Manojlović, Robert Nemeček, Zoran Božinović, and Slađana Milošević. The band ceased activities in 1972. Although not among the pioneering Yugoslav rock groups chronologically, Džentlmeni significantly influenced the development of the Yugoslav rock scene.

Formation and division into two groups (1966–1967)

The band was formed in 1966 by Slobodan Todorović (guitar, vocals), formerly of Sveci; Živorad "Žika" Jelić (bass), who had played with Albatrosi and Alasi; Milorad Novak (rhythm guitar), also ex-Sveci; and Velibor "Boka" Bogdanović (drums). Their name was inspired by a textile store in Belgrade known as Gentlemen.

This initial lineup remained intact until April 1967 when Todorović left to join Siluete and later CD. Following his exit, Džentlmeni split into two groups: one led by Novak with musicians from Vihori continued performing locally under the same name but dissolved within a year due to Novak’s military conscription. The other faction featured Bogdanović and Jelić, who were joined by Mihajlo Simikić (tenor saxophone, clarinet, piano, vocals), Branko Marušić "Čutura" (vocals, rhythm guitar), formerly of Iskre and Alasi, and Dragan "Dragi" Jelić (vocals, guitar), Žika’s brother with previous experience in Alasi, Beduini, and Siluete. This ensemble focused on beat and rhythm and blues covers from artists including Tom Jones, The Walker Brothers, The Animals, Wilson Pickett, and The Jimi Hendrix Experience while also performing original songs featuring harmonized vocals.

Established lineup period (1967–1972)

During the summer of 1967, the band toured along the Adriatic coast with performances at Hvar and other resort towns. Their frequent live appearances quickly positioned them as one of Belgrade’s foremost acts, garnering notable media exposure and leading to opportunities to open for Italian singer Caterina Caselli in cities such as Belgrade, Zagreb, Karlovac, and Ljubljana. They also shared stages with Indexi in Sarajevo and recorded "Ne, ne trebam te više," composed by Đorđe Novković for Radio Sarajevo’s Vaš šlager sezone program.

In 1968, Džentlmeni took part in the Youth Festival held in Subotica with two songs: "Veseli svet," written by Đorđe Uzelac, and their own composition "Naša mladost." The track "Veseli svet" was included on the festival’s compilation album. Additionally, they performed at the Belgrade Spring festival presenting "To je tvoj stil," penned by Vojkan Borisavljević. Their first EP titled Idi featured this song along with renditions of Sandie Shaw's "Today" and The Drifters' "Sweets for My Sweet." The release was well-received by critics within Yugoslavia’s music press.

The following year saw their return to the Belgrade Spring Festival with the song "Korak ka suncu," written by Radoslav Graić; this track appeared on a compilation issued by PGP-RTB. Later in 1969 they released their second EP Slomljena srca, which contained a popular cover of Don Gibson's "Sea of Heartbreak," Dragi Jelić’s original "Kraj snova," The Tremeloes’ "Helule Helule," and Branko Marušić’s composition "Nisi došla." The title song became a significant hit.

By the end of the decade, Džentlmeni had become the most celebrated band in Belgrade and frequently supported vocalists Lidija Kordić and Daliborka Stojšić during performances. Nevertheless, tensions emerged within the group as the Jelić brothers sought to explore progressive rock directions. Their last output as this lineup was a 1970 single featuring a cover of The Dave Clark Five's "34-06" retitled "Ona je moja," backed with a rendition of Crazy Elephant's "Da li su važne reči?".

Subsequently, the Jelić brothers along with Velibor Bogdanović established YU Grupa—a band focused on progressive and hard rock—with keyboardist Miodrag "Mive" Okrugić. Meanwhile, Marušić continued leading Džentlmeni through numerous lineup modifications that included notable musicians like guitarist Zlatko Manojlović, bassist Robert Nemeček, drummer Dušan Banović as well as guitarist Zoran Božinović and bassists Dušan Petrović and Slađana Milošević. Eventually, Džentlmeni disbanded in 1972.

Post-breakup

Following the dissolution of Džentlmeni, Marušić collaborated with Zlatko Manojlović to establish the band Dah. After his exit from Dah, he directed his efforts toward pursuing a solo career.

The track "Naša mladost" was included in the compilation 20 godina festivala "Omladina" (1981), commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Subotica Youth Festival. Additionally, "Slomljena srca" featured on the compilation YU retrospektiva – Sjaj izgubljene ljubavi (Komuna, 1994) as well as in the box set Kad je rock bio mlad – Priče sa istočne strane (1956-1970) (Croatia Records, 2005), both collections showcasing early influential Yugoslav rock artists.

In 2006, PGP-RTS undertook remastering and reissued the band's complete works through the compilation album Retrologija. This release contained a live rendition of "Dani sreće" (a cover of "Hi Ho Silver Lining") recorded during an early television appearance, along with bonus tracks from Marušić’s 1994 unplugged session: "Slomljena srca" and "Kuća bez broja".

Original lead singer Slobodan Todorović passed away in May 2008. Branko Marušić died on 17 February 2021.

Legacy

The song "Slomljena srca" was incorporated into the soundtrack of the 1998 motion picture Barking at the Stars, directed by Zdravko Šotra.

Extended plays

  • Idi (1968)
  • Slomljena srca (1969)

Singles

  • "Ona je moja" / "Da li su važne reči" (1970)

Compilation albums

  • Retrologija (2006)

Other appearances

  • "Veseli svet" (from Omladina '68; 1968)
  • "Korak ka Suncu" (from Beogradsko proleće '69; 1969)

External links

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