Elektroni
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1961 |
| Headquarters | Karlovac , Yugoslavia |
| Products | Rock music |
Elektroni (translated as The Electrons) was a Yugoslav rock ensemble originating from Karlovac in 1961, widely acknowledged as trailblazers within the Yugoslav rock scene.
1963–1969
The group Elektroni came together in late 1961, formed by young musicians Jurica Grosinger (guitar), Ivica Bičanić (bass), Branko Spudić (drums), Miro Stern (rhythm guitar), Marijan Klobučar (keyboards), and Božidar Božek (tenor saxophone). Their debut public appearance occurred in 1964 during the Mikrofon je vaš contest held in Karlovac. Initially, their repertoire centered on instrumentals inspired by The Shadows, but they soon expanded to include renditions of international rock hits, adaptations of traditional tunes, and original compositions. Elektroni were regular performers on the island of Rab. In 1966, they earned the Zagreb City Silver Plaque at the Zagreb Music Festival and inaugurated the First Festival of Vocal-Instrumental Ensembles with an instrumental version of the March on the Drina. By 1967, with Ivica Čadež on drums, they participated in the Second Festival of Vocal-Instrumental Ensembles. During this era, keyboardist Marijan Banić along with vocalists Mirko Novosel and Kristijan Silvio Vedrina briefly joined before departing.
In 1967, Čadež, Bičanić, and Stern exited the band; their spots were filled by Marjan Janjac (drums), Vatroslav Slavnić (bass), and Boris Borošić (rhythm guitar). This revamped lineup adopted a pop rock orientation emphasizing original material. The band's only EP, Jedne noći (One Night), was released in 1968 through Jugoton, featuring four tracks composed by Slavnić with lyrics penned by poet Velimir Franić.
The last formation of Elektroni consisted of Jurica Grosinger (guitar), Vatroslav Slavnić (bass), Darko Domijan (vocals, bass, trombone), Velimir Cvijanović (drums), Boris Licitar (organ), and Ratko Pogačić (saxophone). Their activities concluded in 1970.
Post breakup
Following Elektroni's dissolution, Darko Domijan pursued a prosperous career as a pop vocalist. For a period, his supporting group Peta Rijeka (Fifth River) included former Elektroni keyboardist Boris Licitar.
Several prominent former members passed away over time: keyboardist Marijan Banić in 1976, singer Kristijan Silvio Vedrina in 1981, rhythm guitarist Miro Stern in 2000, and bassist Ivica Bičanić in 2003.
In 2005, Elektroni's track "Srna" along with previously unreleased recordings "Moovin' and Groovin'" and "Začarano more" (a rendition of The Islanders' "The Enchanted Sea") were featured on the compilation box set Kad je rock bio mlad - Priče sa istočne strane (1956-1970), issued by Croatia Records. This anthology showcases foundational Yugoslav rock artists.
EPs
- Jedne noći (1968)
Other appearances
- "Srna" / "Moovin' and Groovin'" / "Začarano more" (Kad je rock bio mlad - Priče sa istočne strane (1956-1970), 2005)