Generacija 5
| Company type | Rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | July 1, 1977 in Belgrade, Serbia |
| Founder | Dragoljub "Dragan" Ilić, Jovan Rašić, Dragan "Krle" Jovanović, Dušan "Duda" Petrović, Slobodan "Boban" Đorđević |
| Headquarters | Belgrade , Serbia |
Area served | Former Yugoslavia, Serbia |
Key people | Dragoljub Ilić (keyboardist and frontman), Dragan Jovanović (guitarist) |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
Generacija 5 (; translated as Generation 5) is a rock ensemble originating from Belgrade, Serbia, established in 1977 during the Yugoslav era.
The group’s primary figures include keyboardist and frontman Dragoljub Ilić alongside guitarist Dragan Jovanović. Initially rooted in jazz rock, they transitioned into hard rock with vocalist Goran Milošević, producing numerous hits throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s before their dissolution in 1982. Former members participated in YU Rock Misija, Yugoslavia’s version of Live Aid, in 1985. The band reconvened in 1992 and has since released two additional studio records.
1977–1982
Generacija 5 was established on 1 July 1977 by Dragoljub "Dragan" Ilić (keyboards), Jovan Rašić (vocals), Dragan "Krle" Jovanović (guitar), Dušan "Duda" Petrović (bass), and Slobodan "Boban" Đorđević (drums). The band’s name was proposed by Ilić’s brother, composer Aleksandar "Sanja" Ilić, inspired by the concept of fifth-generation computers.
Their first single, blending jazz rock elements, titled "Novi život" / "Izgubljeni san," was launched in May 1978. While the group earned praise for their instrumental skills, critics often challenged their lyricism and song craftsmanship. In June 1978, Petrović temporarily left to fulfill military obligations and was replaced by Miloš Stojisavljević; he returned in May 1979. The release of their second single, "Svemu dođe kraj" / "Noćni mir," signaled a move toward a harder rock style. The band received the Best Use of Traditional Music Elements Award at the Opatija Music Festival and contributed tracks to its official compilation album.
Rašić exited the lineup in October 1979 to pursue his career in pediatric dentistry. Goran Milošević from Zebra took over vocal duties, guiding the band toward a more market-friendly sound. November saw the release of their third single featuring the ballad "Ti samo budi dovoljno daleko." Their music was also featured in Zoran Čalić’s film Foolish Years that same year.
In 1980, they issued their self-titled debut album, produced by Josip Boček and including compositions by band members as well as Kornelije Kovač. This record produced hits such as "Dolazim za 5 minuta," "Ti i ja," "Rođen na asfaltu," and "Pseto." Their sophomore album, Dubler, produced by Peter Taggart and released in 1982, struggled to maintain momentum amid the rising popularity of Yugoslav new wave acts. Consequently, the group disbanded in June of that year.
Post breakup
Following the split, Ilić took up a role as music editor at Radio Television Belgrade and joined the PGP-RTB record label in 1989. Throughout the 1980s, he composed material for artists like Željko Bebek and Slađana Milošević. Đorđević relocated to the United States of America, Jovanović became active as a studio musician, while Milošević joined Mama Co Co before stepping back from music; he returned in 1997 with the release of Da li još misliš na mene (Are You Still Thinking of Me).
1992–present
In 1992, Generacija 5 reassembled with Ilić on keyboards, Jovanović on guitar, Stojisavljević on bass, new frontman Đorđe David Nikolić, and drummer Zoran Radovanović. They released a compilation titled Generacija 5 '78–'94 in 1994, which included their greatest hits, an unplugged rendition of "Ti samo budi dovoljno daleko," plus two previously unreleased tracks.
Their comeback studio album Svet je tvoj (The World Is Yours) appeared in 1997, recorded across Belgrade and Los Angeles, with production handled by Oliver Jovanović alongside band members. Compositions came from Ilić and Jovanović; lyrics were contributed by film director Miloš Radović, Branko Bogićević, Goran Milošević, and the late Nenad Radulović. Guest appearances featured American rapper Baby Q Ball, vocalists Maja Odžaklijevska and Lana Toković, as well as Ljuba Dimitrijević playing crumhorn. Bonus content included tracks from a 1995 unplugged performance. The group also performed at Los Angeles’ Roxy Theatre.
In 2000, vocalist Đorđe David was succeeded by Dragan Panjak who recorded only one track with them: "Pomoli se još jednom..."—a ballad initially performed by Željko Bebek. This song appeared on the compilation Pomoli se još jednom... i druge balade. Two years later, Generacija 5 issued Unplugged & Live, featuring recordings from their 1995 unplugged concert alongside an acoustic cover of Time’s "Istina mašina." Original bassist Dušan Petrović passed away in 2003.
Their fourth studio effort, Energija (Energy), was released in 2006 with production by Saša Habić. The lineup consisted of Ilić, Krstić, Stojisavljević, Slobodan Đorđević on drums, and guest vocalist Dejan "Najda" Najdanović (formerly with Smak). Lyric contributions came from Bebi Dol and Van Gogh frontman Zvonimir Đukić "Đule". Irish singer Mary Black lent backing vocals to the track "Na krilima." Promotional shows featured Najdanović as lead vocalist.
In December 2011, Generacija 5 reunited with their original lineup from 1978 for a performance celebrating the Subotica Youth Festival’s fiftieth anniversary. Since 2013, due to Đorđević residing in the US, some live shows included Kerber’s drummer Josip "Joško" Hartl.
November 2016 marked the debut of their single "Opasna po život" ("Deadly"), featuring lyrics penned by Zvonimir Đukić and new singer Miloš Bajat. The band celebrated their forty-fourth anniversary with a concert at Belgrade Youth Center that introduced new drummer Radoš Ćapin. Their forty-fifth anniversary was commemorated in November 2022 with the release of the single "Freedom" and a concert at Belgrade's Trade Union Hall featuring guests Dado Topić, Bora Đorđević, and children’s choir Horislavci.
Bassist Miloš Stojisavljević "Cajger" succumbed to a prolonged illness in January 2024. In May of that year, Generacija 5 unveiled the single "Ja verujem" ("I Believe") featuring Dado Topić; this track was dedicated to Stojisavljević’s memory. Following this release, they embarked on a series of joint performances with Topić. Ahead of their New Year’s Eve concert in Kragujevac scheduled for December 2024, the band publicly expressed support for the ongoing Serbian anti-corruption protests of that year.
Legacy
The track "Svemu dođe kraj" was interpreted by the Radio Television Novi Sad Big Band and featured on their 1980 release. Additionally, the song "Ti samo budi dovoljno daleko" received a rendition by singer-songwriter Srđan Marjanović on his 1989 album titled Ako jednom puknem ja.
In the year 2000, "Dolazim za pet minuta" secured the 53rd position on the Rock Express Top 100 Yugoslav Rock Songs of All Times list. A decade later, in 2011, it was also recognized as one of the top 60 tracks launched by PGP-RTB/PGP-RTS throughout the record label’s sixty-year legacy.
Studio albums
- Generacija 5 (1980)
- Dubler (1982)
- Svet je tvoj (1997)
- Energija (2006)
Live albums
- Unplugged & Live (2002)
Compilations
- Generacija 5 78–94 (1994)
- Pomoli se još jednom... (2000)
Singles
- "Novi život" / "Izgubljeni san" (1978)
- "Svemu dođe kraj" / "Noćni mir" (1979)
- "Umoran od svega" / "Ti samo budi dovoljno daleko" (1979)
- "Spakuj se, požuri" / "Samo laži" (1981)
- "Opasna po život" (2016)