Dʼ Boys
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1982 in Belgrade, Yugoslavia |
| Founder | Peđa D'Boy, Mihajlo "Miško" Mihajlovski |
| Headquarters | Belgrade , Yugoslavia |
| Products | Studio albums, singles |
D' Boys (pronounced The Boys) emerged as a Yugoslav synth-pop and pop rock ensemble originating from Belgrade in 1982.
Starting out as a duo, the group consisted of Peđa D'Boy (vocals, guitar; previously a member of the German band Jane) and percussionist Mihajlo "Miško" Mihajlovski. Their initial sound was characterized by minimalist synth-pop combined with playful, nightlife-themed lyrics. The addition of guitarist Goran Vejvoda and bassist Miško Plavi marked a transition toward a more rock-driven style. Their first album, Ajd' se zezamo (1983), achieved widespread recognition. After releasing their sophomore album Muvanje (1984), Mihajlovski exited the group, which then continued under the name Peđa D' Boy Band, producing two further albums before disbanding in 1986.
1982–1985
D' Boys began as a duo in 1982 with Peđa D'Boy (real name Predrag Jovanović), who brought experience from his tenure with the German progressive rock outfit Jane and various international gigs. His partner, Mihajlo "Miško" Mihajlovski, had a background in the new wave and art rock circles through his involvement with Kozmetika. Their collaboration was sparked by a jam session at Belgrade’s Students' Cultural Center. Initially performing under names such as Peđa i Miško and Oksižen, they eventually adopted the name D' Boys, a suggestion from local television hosts.
The band’s early repertoire included sparse synth-pop numbers like "Mi smo D' Boys" ("We Are D' Boys") and "Plave oči, crna ljubav" ("Blue Eyes, Dark Love"). These tracks helped them secure opening performances for major Yugoslav acts including Film and Boa. Their frequent appearances in clubs, paired with an image that flirted with camp and gay aesthetics, garnered attention despite some critical dismissal of their tongue-in-cheek lyrics.
Toward the end of 1982, guitarist Goran Vejvoda and multi-instrumentalist Miško Plavi joined the lineup, guiding the band toward a more rock-oriented direction. After Vejvoda’s departure, Plavi switched to guitar duties while Dragan "Gagi" Ilić took over on bass.
Their debut studio effort, Ajd' se zezamo (1983), produced by Željko Brodarić "Jappa" and featuring backing vocals by former Miss Yugoslavia Ana Sasso, was recorded in Split. The album included an English-language rendition of its title track and gained considerable radio exposure with songs such as "Draž", "Sinjorita", and "Sexy, sexy". Promotion for the release culminated in a concert at Belgrade’s Atelje 212 theatre.
In spring 1984, they released their second album Muvanje, produced by Oliver Mandić and featuring guest musicians from Generacija 5. This record broadened their audience by incorporating covers including Roy Orbison’s "Oh, Pretty Woman" retitled "Lepe žene", alongside traditional songs and original hits like "Jugoslovenka (Ljupka oko pupka)"—their most successful single. Other standout tracks included "Give Me Your Money", "Snežana", and the ballad "Florida (Mala moja, ne plači)". The band’s lineup expanded with drummer Zoran "Cole" Miljuš and Belgian guitarist Jean-Jacques Roscam.
During the summer of 1984, D' Boys toured Greece, concluding their visit with a show at Thessaloniki’s Amnezia discotheque. Shortly after returning to Yugoslavia, Mihajlovski left to pursue a solo career under the name Miško D' Boys. The remaining members continued performing as Peđa D'Boy Band.
Post breakup: Peđa D'Boy Band and other works by former members
In 1985, Peđa D'Boy Band unveiled their album Avantura (Adventure), with production handled by Peđa D'Boy alongside Boban Petrović. The music video for "Visibabe, ljubičice" ("Snowdrops, Violets") was prohibited from airing on Yugoslav television due to its sensual content. That same year, Peđa D'Boy contributed vocals to the charity track "Za milion godina" as part of YU Rock Misija, Yugoslavia's participation in Live Aid, and performed at the related event held at Red Star Stadium on 15 June 1985. Additionally, he represented Yugoslavia at the Song of Mediterranean festival in Palermo, securing second place with the song "Jugoslovenka." During this period, he also collaborated with Bilja Krstić on her album Iz unutrašnjeg džepa, recording the duet "Bubi."
Shortly thereafter, Jean-Jacques Roscam departed to join Galija, while Dragan Ilić tragically passed away due to surgical complications. The following year, in 1986, the group released Laku noć ti, mala (Goodnight, Baby), produced by Kornelije Kovač, who also composed four tracks for the record. Alongside Peđa D'Boy, Miško Plavi, and Zoran Miljuš, the album featured contributions from Kovač and Petrović on keyboards, Jovanović and Miodragović on guitars, and Ivan Švager playing saxophone. The song "Šta da radim s rukama" included a guest appearance by actor Ratko Tankosić. After a brief tour across Greece alongside Riblja Čorba and Galija, the band discontinued their activities.
Peđa D'Boy embarked on a short solo venture, performing "Mrzim da spavam sam" ("I Hate Sleeping Alone") at the 1986 MESAM festival before relocating back to France. He made a comeback to Belgrade in 1992 to participate in a concert celebrating Yugoslav pop and rock classics. In 1997, he produced new tracks in London under Mark Evans' production, including a remixed version of "Jugoslovenka," which appeared on an EP. Returning to Serbia in 2006, he featured as a guest performer at Delča i Sklekovi's concert and continued live performances with Polyester Shock. That year also saw the release of an EP containing "Beograđanka," a refreshed take on "'Ajd se zezamo," and a French-language rendition of "Jugoslovenka" titled "La fille Yougoslavie." Subsequent albums such as General (2008), 72-3 (2010), and Moj put / Paranemija (2014) combined new compositions with reimagined classics. Peđa D'Boy additionally participated in the reality television show Big Brother VIP and appeared as an actor in Vladimir Rajčić's 2009 film Serbian Scars.
Following the dissolution of D' Boys, Miško Plavi and Zoran Miljuš established Fantazija alongside guitarist Vojislav Bešić "Beške," vocalist Igor Pervić, and keyboardist Goran Matić; however, this ensemble disbanded after just one year. Miško Plavi subsequently joined Piloti as their bassist before moving on to Ekatarina Velika and later founding Miško Plavi Band. In the early 2000s, he relocated to Japan where he pursued accordion performances, collaborating with local musicians and touring internationally.
After departing from D' Boys, Mihajlovski briefly pursued solo performances and from 1987 worked alongside singer Bebi Dol in various clubs. He passed away on 2 December 2011.
In 2018, Take It Or Leave It Records issued Mi smo D' Boys: The Very Best Of, marking the first official compilation album for D' Boys.
Legacy
The Serbian female group Models included a cover of "Jugoslovenka" on their 1997 release Made in Belgrade. Vocalist Viktorija also recorded her interpretation of the song for her live album Nostalgija released in 2000. Moreover, the track appeared in Srđan Dragojević's 1996 film Pretty Village, Pretty Flame.
In 2006, "Mi smo D' Boys" was placed at number 100 on the B92 Top 100 Domestic Songs ranking.
Studio albums
- Ajd' se zezamo (1983)
- Muvanje (1984)
Compilation albums
- Mi smo D' Boys: The Very Best Of (2018)
Singles
- "Mi smo D' Boys" / "Crne oči, plava ljubav" (1983)
- "Jugoslovenka" / "Florida (Mala moja ne plači)" (1984)