Delfini (Zagreb band)
| Company type | Rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1963 in Zagreb, Yugoslavia |
| Founder | Zdenko Juran, Rajmond Ruić, Mladen Šurina, Branimir Baković, Velimir Neidhard, Vladimir Stošić |
| Defunct | 1967 |
| Headquarters | Zagreb , Yugoslavia |
| Products | Music recordings (EPs, singles) |
Delfini (meaning The Dolphins) was a rock group originating from Zagreb in 1963, recognized as one of the trailblazers of the Yugoslav rock scene during the era of the Yugoslav music movement.
1963–1967
The band Delfini came together in April 1963 in Zagreb, formed by Zdenko Juran on vocals, Rajmond Ruić handling bass, Mladen Šurina on guitar, Branimir Baković playing rhythm guitar, Velimir Neidhard on drums, and Vladimir Stošić on keyboards. Their initial performance took place on December 26 at the Gavella Drama Theatre, sharing the stage with groups like Roboti and Mladi. They soon established a following through frequent dance event appearances.
In July 1964, Delfini secured second place at a Zagreb battle of the bands contest, finishing behind Crveni Koralji. Subsequently, they recorded several songs for Radio Zagreb, with "Šejk" ("Shake") achieving modest popularity. Critics commended them, particularly highlighting Juran’s stage charisma influenced by Cliff Richard. Their main venues included the Zagreb Faculty of Graphic Arts and other local spots. In November 1965, they participated in the Zagreb Beat Music Festival alongside notable Yugoslav and Italian performers.
During that year, Delfini laid down nine tracks for Radio Zagreb; among these, "Sumrak" ("Twilight") and "Noćas kad si otišla" ("This Evening after You Left"), both composed by Ruić and Baković, stood out as fan favorites. Their style incorporated elements of rhythm and blues. In 1966, they became only the third rock band to appear at the Zagreb Music Festival, supporting vocalist Zvonko Špišić; their entry "Lukrecija" ("Lucretia") was included on the festival’s official EP release. Later that year, at the First Championship of Vocal-Instrumental Ensembles of Yugoslavia held in Zagreb, they earned second place.
By autumn 1966, guitarist Nikola Sarapa (formerly of Zlatni Akordi) and keyboardist Petko Katrandžijev "Mlinac" (previously with Bezimeni) joined the group, replacing Šurina and Stošić. This lineup produced their first EP titled Gloria, which was issued by Jugoton in 1967. The record featured covers such as Them's "Gloria", James Brown's "I'll Go Crazy", their ballad "Noćas kad si otišla", and a traditional Macedonian piece "Kaleš bre Anđo", which included traditional def instrument played by Pero Gotovac. Following this release, Delfini enjoyed successful performances at music festivals in Zagreb and Opatija.
Their second EP released in 1967 contained "Ne pitaj me ništa" ("Ask Me Nothing"), composed by Ruić with lyrics penned by poet Maja Perfiljeva. Additional tracks were "Najljepši dan" ("The Most Beautiful Day") by Ivica Krajač and Nikica Kalogjera, "Bebel" dedicated to Jean-Paul Belmondo, and a rendition of The Kinks' "Most Exclusive Residence for Sale". Both EPs received favorable reviews from critics. That same year, under the moniker The Delfinis, they issued a split single alongside Crveni Koralji through Belgian label Benelux International featuring their version of "Gloria".
Despite their achievements, internal conflicts led to Baković, Sarapa, and Katrandžijev departing due to disagreements with Juran and Ruić. The concluding roster consisted of Juran, Ruić, Ivica Grčić (guitar), Vlado Kušec (rhythm guitar), and Srećko Antonioli (drums), all previously members of Lordovi. The group ultimately dissolved in 1967 when several members were conscripted for compulsory military service.
Post-breakup
After Delfini dissolved, Juran moved into the field of music management. Ruić became a member of the band Roboti and later developed a notable career as a pop composer before emigrating to Australia in 1980. In 2014, Croatia Records issued the double compilation Gold Collection, featuring his songwriting contributions for Delfini as well as for artists such as Peta Rijeka and Josipa Lisac. Serbian guitarist Vladan Živanćević created instrumental renditions of Ruić's compositions on the 2020 release Crazy Sea. Neidhart advanced into academia, taking a professorship at the Faculty of Architecture, University of Zagreb. Baković pursued a career in art photography, whereas Katrandžijev engaged in composing, sound engineering, and production; in 2018, Croatia Records released a compilation of his works under the title Gold Collection – Jutro će promijeniti sve. Sarapa kept performing and formed the band Stop in 1978.
In 2005, Delfini's songs "Gloria", "Najlepša kuća na prodaju", and "Kaleš bre Anđo" were included in the box set Kad je rock bio mlad - Priče sa istočne strane (1956-1970), issued by Croatia Records to celebrate pioneering rock artists from Yugoslavia. Both of Delfini's EPs were re-released within the 2014 box set titled Original EP Collection.
EPs
- Gloria (1967)
- Ne pitaj me ništa (1967)
Compilation albums
- Original EP Collection (2014)
Singles
- "Napoli Guitar" / "Gloria" (collaboration with Crveni Koralji, 1967)