Idoli

Idoli
Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	1 March 1980
Headquarters	Belgrade, Yugoslavia (now Serbia)
Products	Music albums, singles

Idoli (; translated as The Idols) were a prominent Serbian new wave ensemble originating from Belgrade, widely acknowledged as a pivotal force within the Yugoslav rock landscape. Their 1982 release, Odbrana i poslednji dani, is often regarded by critics as the finest rock album produced in Yugoslavia.

Origins: Merlin and Zvuk Ulice

The roots of Idoli can be traced to the Belgrade-based group Merlin (not to be confused with the later Sarajevo band bearing the same name) and the jazz/pop rock outfit Zvuk Ulice. The latter included Vlada Divljan on guitar and vocals, bassist Zdenko Kolar, keyboardist Dragan Mitrić, drummer Kokan Popović, saxophonist Bora Antić, and pianist/vocalist Dragana Milković.

Zvuk Ulice's repertoire combined 1960s Anglo-American covers with original compositions. They performed at notable events such as the 1978 BOOM Festival in Novi Sad and Gitarijada in Zaječar. Although they recorded sessions at Radio Belgrade, these tracks were never officially released. Subsequently, Mitrić joined Bulevar, while Popović became a member of Slađana Milošević's supporting band.

VIS Dečaci and the band's inception

The initial concept behind Idoli emerged in 1979 when a youth publication featured photographs of a group named Dečaci, which was actually the earliest incarnation of Idoli. These images were accompanied by clever captions such as "Dečaci emancipuju žene" ("The Boys emancipate women"). At the same time, graffiti appeared throughout Belgrade promoting the band's formation, including slogans like "Margita je dečak" ("Margita is a boy")—a nod to future Ekaterina Velika keyboardist Margita Stefanović—and "Dečaci ne plaču" ("Boys Don't Cry"). This strategic media exposure stirred public curiosity that the band needed to fulfill through live shows.

VIS Idoli officially came into existence on March 1, 1980, formed by primary school friends Vlada Divljan (guitar, vocals), Zdenko Kolar (bass), Boža Jovanović (drums), along with Divljan's high school acquaintances Srđan Šaper and Nebojša Krstić (percussion, vocals). Early collaboration with media strategist Dragan Papić helped them cleverly manipulate publicity, including teasing potential name changes like "Apoloni 5" or "Idoli plus bradonje," referencing members' bearded appearances.

In June 1980, Idoli made their live debut at Belgrade's Student's Cultural Center alongside top Serbian new wave bands. A month later, they issued their first single through the magazine Vidici, featuring "Pomoć, pomoć" ("Help, help") and "Retko te viđam sa devojkama" ("I Rarely See You With Girls"), notable for its openly gay-themed lyrics. After parting ways with Papić, they recorded an alternate version of "Retko te viđam sa devojkama" in Zagreb with producer Goran Bregović as the B-side to the Maljčiki single. At the rescheduled 1980 Festival Omladina following Tito's passing, Idoli performed "Zašto su danas devojke ljute?" ("Why Are The Girls Angry Today?") and earned an award.

Idoli joined forces with Električni Orgazam and Šarlo Akrobata on the influential Paket aranžman compilation, contributing four tracks: "Schwule Über Europa" (a satirical take on stereotypes about Germans), "Plastika," "Maljčiki" (a critique of Socialist Realist art and propaganda), and "Amerika." The music video for "Maljčiki" faced censorship from national television and some radio stations after protests lodged by the Soviet embassy.

Commercial success

The group's inaugural solo concert took place on June 25 at Belgrade's SKC, where tickets were resold at quadruple their original cost. The event featured opening performances by Bezobrazno Zeleno, VIA Talas, Marko Brecelj, and Feo Volarić.

Their subsequent release was a self-titled EP containing six songs, including reinterpretations of Chuck Berry's "Come On" (retitled "Hajde") and Darko Kraljić's "Devojko mala," complemented by two music videos. Film members—harmonica player Mladen Juričić (Max Wilson) and organist Jurij Novoselić (Kuzma Videosex)—appeared as guests, with production overseen by Film’s Ivan Stančić Piko. The EP’s artwork showcased Amedeo Modigliani’s Red Nude. Jugoton later reissued this EP alongside Film’s live EP in the compilation Zajedno. In 1981, the band toured coastal resorts with Film. That same summer, drummer Kokan Popović joined the lineup; he had previously collaborated with Divljan and Kolar in Merlin and Zvuk Ulice.

Work on their debut album commenced in autumn 1981, with production assistance from Goran Vejvoda and Dušan Mihajlović Spira; Mihajlović soon exited, leaving Mile Miletić Pile as the sole co-producer. The recording process extended beyond 400 hours—a record duration in former Yugoslavia. Guest musicians included Bebi Dol on backing vocals for "Odbrana" and a brass ensemble featuring Vuk Vujačić, Goran Grbić, and Slobodan Grozdanović on "Senke su drugačije." Released in early 1982, Odbrana i poslednji dani was a sophisticated concept album inspired by Borislav Pekić’s novel of the same title, delving into orthodoxy from an anthropological perspective. The song "Poslednji dani," initially named "Maršal" and dedicated to Josip Broz Tito, had its final verse removed due to label objections. The album cover displayed a detail from a Saint Nicholas icon cloth rendered in Cyrillic script reminiscent of Miroslav's Gospel. It received accolades for best album and best cover in 1982 and was later acclaimed by critics as the finest Yugoslav rock album of the 20th century.

In July 1982, Zdenko Kolar began his military service and was replaced by Branko Isaković from Bulevar. The band recorded a new album in London under producer Bob Painter. Although the style shifted towards pop/rock, Čokolada achieved platinum certification; its title track became their most commercially successful single. A minor dispute arose because the song was originally composed by Dušan Gerzić for Via Talas but was presented as an Idoli track; Gerzić received co-author credit on the single "Bambina." Divljan contributed only three compositions due to his studies in mining and geology at the University of Belgrade, while Šaper completed his film directing degree. Guest appearances included journalist Vivien Goldman on vocals and Bob Painter on keyboards. Initially intended as a double EP titled "U gradu bez sna," Jugoton ultimately released it as a full-length album.

Breakup and post-breakup

Following a performance in Ljubljana in March 1984, internal disagreements led to the band's breakup. Their last release was the soundtrack for the film Šest dana juna, mainly composed by Divljan with contributions from other members. Noteworthy collaborators included vocalists Šaper and Mišo Kovač, musicians such as Dragomir Mihajlović "Gagi", and folk singer Jahija Gračanlić. An unreleased Divljan piece featuring a gay-themed storyline remains unheard.

After disbanding, Krstić and Šaper worked together on music for singer Biljana Krstić and recorded the album Poslednja mladost u Jugoslaviji with Unutrašnja Imperija, which featured Mihajlović, Isaković, and Đuričić. In 1995, they formed Dobrovoljno Pevačko Društvo alongside Zoran Kiki Lesendrić from Piloti, releasing Nedelja Na Duhove through Eastfield Music. This album was produced in Budapest with renowned studio musicians including Nenad Stefanović Japanac and Milan Đurđević.

Šaper later transitioned into marketing, founding "Idols & Friends" and serving as creative director at agencies such as "Saatchi & Saatchi" and "Ogilvy & Mather," eventually leading "McErricson." He also composed soundtracks for film and television while actively participating in politics as head of the Serbian Democratic Party. Krstić pursued a medical career working at Vis island and Belgrade's Hyatt Regency hotel, acted in Šest dana juna, then moved into marketing and served as an advisor to President Boris Tadić. He is also affiliated with the Democratic Party.

Divljan embarked on a solo career in 1988 with Tajni život A. P. Šandorova and collaborated with Srđan Gojković Gile on two children's rock albums. After relocating to Australia in 1991, he returned in 1995 to form Old Stars Band, releasing the live album Odbrana i zaštita (B92, 1996). Later moving to Vienna in 1999, he released two additional albums with Old Stars Band and worked on various soundtracks alongside Kiril Džajkovski. At his passing in 2015, he was working on a new solo project titled Esperanto with Nevladina Organizacija.

Zdenko Kolar worked as a trolleybus driver and appeared in advertisements before founding Zona B in 1987—a band recognized for blues covers as well as original songs. He also participated in Old Stars Band and currently performs with Nevladina Organizacija alongside Zona B.

Kokan Popović and Dragan Mitrić were involved with Propaganda, which released one album in 1982 that incorporated some material from Zvuk Ulice. Popović now lives in Johannesburg, leading Kokan and the Traitors—a group made up of Serbian expatriates.

In 2007, Croatia Records issued an extensive four-CD box set titled VIS Idoli, compiling all studio works except their debut single. The label also released a box set featuring debut albums from Paket aranžman, Električni Orgazam, and Šarlo Akrobata.

Vlada Divljan died in Vienna on March 5, 2015, after a prolonged illness.

Legacy

Idoli stand as one of the most pivotal rock ensembles from Yugoslavia and Serbia, with numerous artists such as Eva Braun, Ništa Ali Logopedi, Euforia, and Kristali covering their work. Their influence extends beyond rock, inspiring rap and hip hop performers like Gru and Wikluh Sky to reinterpret their songs. The multi-artist initiative Yugoton, comprising Polish rock groups, honored Yugoslav new wave by recording Idoli’s tracks "Maljčiki" (adapted as "Malcziki" in Polish) and "Retko te viđam sa devojkama" ("Rzadko widuję cię z dziewczętami"), with "Maljčiki" released as the primary single.

In 1998, the album Odbrana i poslednji dani was acclaimed as the finest Yugoslav popular music record according to the publication YU 100: najbolji albumi jugoslovenske rok i pop muzike (YU 100: The Best Albums of Yugoslav Pop and Rock Music). Within the same volume, Čokolada secured the 46th position, while VIS Idoli was placed at number 71. Later, in 2015, the Croatian edition of Rolling Stone designated Odbrana i poslednji dani as the top Yugoslav album; additionally, VIS Idoli was ranked 20th and Paket aranžman took 38th place on that list.

The Rock Express Top 100 Yugoslav Rock Songs of All Times featured two tracks by Idoli: "Maljčiki" at number 32 and "Kenozoik" at number 66. Meanwhile, the B92 Top 100 Domestic Songs chart included three Idoli compositions: "Maljčiki" at 18th, "Rusija" at 25th, and "Moja si" at 52nd place. In a 2011 poll conducted by Radio 202 listeners, "Maljčiki" was recognized among the top 60 songs issued by PGP-RTB/PGP-RTS over its sixty-year existence.

Lyrics from eleven Idoli songs are featured in Petar Janjatović's collection Pesme bratstva, detinjstva & potomstva: Antologija ex YU rok poezije 1967 - 2007, highlighting their poetic contribution to ex-Yugoslav rock.

Acknowledging their lasting cultural significance, an alley in Novi Sad was officially named Vlada Divljan Alley in 2016.

Discography

VIS Idoli (1981)
Odbrana i poslednji dani (1982)
Čokolada (1983)
Šest dana juna (1985)

References

EX YU ROCK enciklopedija 1960-2006, Janjatović Petar;

External links