Kameleoni
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1965 |
| Headquarters | Koper , Yugoslavia |
| Products | Studio albums, EPs, compilation albums |
Kameleoni (meaning The Chameleons) were a Yugoslav rock group established in Koper in 1965, widely acknowledged as trailblazers in the Yugoslav rock movement.
Soon after their inception, they achieved nationwide acclaim. Despite their success, internal conflicts caused the band to split into two separate groups in 1968, both of which dissolved by 1969. The ensemble reunited in the early 1980s to re-record earlier hits for their debut studio album and came together once more in the mid-1990s to produce their second studio release.
Formation and ascent (1965–1968)
The band was founded in September 1965 by Marjan Maliković (guitar), Danilo Kocijančić (rhythm guitar), Jadran Ogrin (bass), Tulio Furlanič (drums), and Vanja Valič (keyboards), all students at Koper’s music school during high school, with shared vocal responsibilities.[1][2] Their name "Kameleoni" was inspired by a Camel cigarette advertisement noticed during a stroll.[2] Their first performance took place at Koper’s Youth Club towards the end of 1965.[1] They played extensively—approximately 200 concerts mostly around Koper and neighboring towns—and appeared at Ljubljana’s Tivoli Hall for the closing ceremony of the 1966 Ice Hockey World Championships.[2]
In spring 1966, they competed at Zagreb’s Championship of Yugoslav Ensembles festival, tying for first place with the established group Roboti; drummer Furlanič earned top honors for vocals.[1] Their track "Sjaj izgubljene ljubavi" ("Spark of the Lost Love") was instrumental in this achievement.[1] This exposure led to recordings for Radio Koper[2] and performances throughout Yugoslavia, solidifying their reputation as proficient instrumentalists.[1] By year’s end, they released their debut EP Le Felicita through Diskoton,[1] which contained original compositions alongside a cover of The Animals’ "See See Rider".[1]
The EP stirred minor controversy due to accusations of lyric plagiarism resembling Ljiljana Petrović’s award-winning song "Neka to bude u proljeće". An inquiry revealed that both works drew inspiration from William Wordsworth’s poem "Ode: Intimations of Immortality".[3]
This dispute did not diminish their popularity. After signing with Jugoton, Yugoslavia’s largest record label, they released their second EP, Dedicated to the One I Love, in early 1967.[1] This record featured covers of songs by The "5" Royales and The Kinks, as well as original material.[1] That spring, they sold out Ljubljana’s Tivoli Hall and secured first place at Zagreb’s Second Festival of Yugoslav Vocal-Instrumental Ensembles.[4] Although some critics reproached them for a lack of originality due to frequent performances of foreign hits, their instrumental skill was highly commended.[5] Their fame extended internationally with shows held in Austria and Italy.[6]
Division into Two Groups and Cessation of Activity (1968–1969)
At the beginning of 1968, disagreements over profit distribution caused Novi Kameleoni to split into two separate groups, both retaining the original band name. One faction comprised Jadran Ogrin, Vanja Valič, and Tulio Furlanič, who were later joined by guitarist Goran Tavčar. This lineup transitioned towards psychedelic rock, releasing the EP Sunny Cry as the soundtrack for Boštjan Hladnik's film The Sunny Whirlpool. After Furlanič left to fulfill his compulsory military service, Ivan Mojzer took his place. This ensemble adopted a sound influenced by Cream and the Jimi Hendrix Experience, enhancing their shows with light effects that elicited varied responses from audiences. Subsequent departures of Tavčar to Italy and Mojzer to military duty brought Ilario Udovici and Furlanič back temporarily; however, internal disputes ultimately led to the group's disbandment in 1969, culminating with a final performance in Maribor.
The other faction, headed by Danilo Kocijančić and composed of musicians from both Slovenia and Italy, achieved limited acclaim aside from recognition for guitarist Drago Bella Bernardina. This formation also dissolved during 1969.
Activities Following the Split
Post-breakup, several former members continued their musical careers with prominent Yugoslav rock ensembles: Maliković became involved with Faraoni, Srce, Mladi Levi, and September; Danilo Kocijančić joined Boomerang; and Jadran Ogrin performed with both Boomerang and September.
Reunions in 1981 and 1994
Kameleoni reunited in 1981 for a concert in their native Kopar, which was followed by recordings of previously unreleased tracks alongside re-recordings of songs from their 1960s EPs. These sessions resulted in the 1982 album Kameleoni.
In the mid-1990s, the band came together once more, issuing the compilation Kameleoni 66-67 (1994) and the studio album Za vse generacije (For All Generations, 1995), showcasing fresh mainstream rock compositions.
Studio albums
- Kameleoni (1982)
- Za vse generacije (1995)
EPs
- La Felicita (1966)
- Dedicated to the One I Love (1967)
- Sunny Cry (1968)
Compilation albums
- Kameleoni 66-67 (1994)
- The Ultimate Collection (2011)
External links
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