Dinamiti
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1963 in Osijek, Yugoslavia |
| Defunct | 1969 |
| Headquarters | Osijek , Yugoslavia |
| Products | Rock music, progressive rock |
Dinamiti (translated as The Dynamites) was a Yugoslav rock ensemble established in Osijek in 1963, widely regarded as trailblazers within the Yugoslav rock scene.
The group was created by Krunoslav "Kićo" Slabinac (vocals, rhythm guitar), Antun "Tuca" Nikolić (guitar), Alberto Krasnići (bass), Miroslav Šaranović (drums), and Vladimir Lazić (organ). They rapidly earned acclaim for their instrumental expertise. After Šaranović was succeeded by Ratomir "Ratko" Divjak and the exit of Slabinac, Nikolić, and Lazić, Krasnići and Divjak brought in vocalist Dado Topić and guitarist Josip Boček. This new formation embraced a progressive rock style characterized by Topić's songwriting and jazz-inspired improvisations. The band dissolved in 1969 following Topić’s and Boček’s transition to Korni Grupa.
Following Dinamiti’s breakup, Slabinac found considerable solo fame in the 1970s Yugoslav pop arena. Both Topić and Boček achieved national prominence with Korni Grupa before Topić went on to establish the successful group Time. Meanwhile, Divjak pursued a career in jazz, collaborating with multiple ensembles.
1963–1969
Dinamiti evolved from the band Tornado, which Slabinac formed in Osijek in 1961. Tornado was renamed Kon-Tiki in 1962 before adopting the Dinamiti name in 1963. The original members were Slabinac, Nikolić, Krasnići, Šaranović, and Lazić; shortly thereafter, Šaranović departed to join Indexi, with Divjak stepping in as drummer.
Their performances mainly consisted of dance events and numerous concerts at Zagreb’s Workers' Hall, where they attracted crowds ranging from 1,200 to 1,500 attendees. Their setlist included jazz pieces, contemporary rock songs, and schlagers, establishing them as accomplished instrumentalists. Early recordings captured on reel-to-reel tapes were broadcast on Radio Osijek.
In 1966, Dinamiti secured seventh place at the first Belgrade Gitarijada festival; the following year they advanced to the semi-finals and claimed first prize at Zagreb Gitarijada. They briefly performed in Munich clubs but had to return due to military service obligations affecting Slabinac and Nikolić. Upon their return, they achieved local popularity with "Plavuša," penned by Stevo Radović of Bele Višnje.
During Slabinac’s brief tenure with a circus orchestra, he collaborated with Nikolić and Lazić to form Vizije, which held regular shows at the Belgrade Youth Center.
After Slabinac, Nikolić, and Lazić left the group, Krasnići and Divjak recruited Topić and Boček from Đavolji Eliksiri. This lineup became renowned for live improvisations and renditions of foreign progressive rock songs alongside Topić’s original compositions such as "Novine" and "Život moj," reflecting the evolving Yugoslav rock landscape. They earned first place at Zagreb Gitarijada again, received the Golden Guitar Award as well as the Audience Award at the Belgrade Beat Festival, and appeared on Radio Belgrade broadcasts. Despite engaging in recording sessions, no official records were released.
In 1969 Dinamiti moved their base to Zagreb where they mainly played at clubs Kulušić and Lola. During a summer tour along the Adriatic coast they featured guest vocalists Josipa Lisac and Alenka Pinterič. The band attracted media attention after German guitar manufacturer Framus presented them with an electric guitar. Nevertheless, Dinamiti disbanded towards the end of 1969 when Topić joined Korni Grupa followed shortly by Boček.
Post-breakup
Following his departure from Vizije, Slabinac embarked on a thriving solo journey within the Yugoslav pop music landscape. He passed away on 13 November 2020. Topić and Boček, while with Korni Grupa, achieved widespread national acclaim; in 1971, Topić left to establish the acclaimed band Time. Divjak shifted his focus towards jazz, undertaking studies at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz and collaborating with groups such as Time and the jazz-rock ensemble September. Alberto Krasnići provided compositions for the Osijek-based band Had (Hades), which were featured on their 7-inch single releases.
In 1994, traditional song renditions "Čačak kolo" and "Čađava mehana" ("Dusty Tavern") were included on the Komuna compilation albums U mojim venama: Etno rock and Sjaj izgubljene ljubavi: Muzika šezdesetih, both part of the YU retROCKspektiva series. Additionally, the songs "Tema za bossa novu" ("Bossa Nova Theme") and "Crying Time" (a cover originally by Ray Charles) were featured in the 2005 box set Kad je rock bio mlad - Priče sa istočne strane (1956-1970), released by Croatia Records, highlighting trailblazing acts from Yugoslav rock history.
Compilation appearances
- "Čačak kolo" (included on U mojim venama: Etno rock, 1994)
- "Čađava mehana" (featured on Sjaj izgubljene ljubavi: Muzika šezdesetih, 1994)
- "Tema za bossa novu" / "Crying Time" (part of Kad je rock bio mlad - Priče sa istočne strane (1956-1970), 2005)