Poslednja Igra Leptira
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1979 in Belgrade, Yugoslavia |
| Defunct | 1989 |
| Headquarters | Belgrade , Yugoslavia |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
| Website | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY2JxX6fC8aW0zPZ3xFq9Kw |
Poslednja Igra Leptira (; translated as Last Dance of a Butterfly) was a Yugoslav pop rock ensemble established in Belgrade in 1979.
Fronted by the dynamic singer Nenad "Neša" Radulović, the group attracted attention during the early 1980s through their cabaret-inspired shows that fused mainstream pop rock with elements of satire and comedy. Their debut record released in 1982 enjoyed notable commercial acclaim, followed by four additional studio albums and several charting singles before they disbanded in 1989. Radulović embarked on a short-lived solo path prior to his passing from cancer in 1990.
1979–1989
Originating in Belgrade in 1979, the band initially specialized in acoustic country music, performing at key venues around the city. Nenad Radulović, who also contributed to Radio Belgrade's comedic program Indexovo radio pozorište, served as the main lyricist, working alongside journalist Dragomir Bulić.
After securing victory at the Palilula Culture Olympics competition in 1981, the group finalized its lineup: Radulović (vocals), Zorica Đermanov (vocals), Draško Janković (guitar), Sašo Bogojevski (bass), Dragan Todorović (drums), Olivera Perić (violin), and Dušan Hristić (banjo, keyboards). Their first album, Napokon ploča (1982), produced by Ljuba Ninković of Tunel, blended various musical styles with comedic segments. The satirical track "Dolazim za 7, 9, 13... minuta" alongside songs like "Nataša" and "Vrati se" fueled their commercial breakthrough, culminating in fifteen consecutive sold-out shows at Belgrade’s Trade Union Hall that year.
Their sophomore album Ponovo ploča & druge priče (1983) welcomed keyboardist Slobodan Mitić and featured popular tracks such as "Sličuge" and "Hvala ti za muziku". The band went on hiatus in 1984 due to compulsory military service affecting all male members; during this interval, Đermanov and Perić left the group.
Following their return from service, the band introduced new vocalist Lidija Asanović from Zagreb. The third album Opet ploča – Srce od meda (1985), produced by Rajko Dujmić of Novi Fosili and including guitar contributions from Ljuba Ninković, showcased the hit single "Dečko, 'ajde o'ladi". That year they were honored with the Oscar of Popularity award for Pop Band of the Year. Asanović subsequently joined Zagreb’s Srebrna Krila; Dragomir Stanojević replaced her on keyboards and co-authored most songs on their ensuing album.
The fourth studio release Grudi moje Balkanske (1986), again under Dujmić's production with arrangements by Duško Mandić, featured collaborations such as a duet with child vocalist Nataša Gaćeša and renditions including Joe Dassin’s "Les Champs-Élysées". Tracks like "Nemoj da me nerviraš", "Trodupli čovek", and "Šanzelize" became fan favorites.
Their fifth album Zajedno smo piškili u pesku (1987), produced by Kornelije Kovač, marked the introduction of guitarist Dragoljub "Dado" Pejoski. The title song contained lyrics penned by Bora Đorđević from Riblja Čorba; actress Jelica Sretenović provided vocals on "Ruska čokolada", while Aleksandra Kovač appeared on "Ljubim te".
The band concluded its activities in 1989.
Post breakup
Following the dissolution of Poslednja Igra Leptira, Radulović adopted the pseudonym Slobodan Đorđević "Piton" and released the album Niko nema što piton imade (Nobody Has what Python Had), a parody targeting Yugoslav newly-composed folk music. He commenced work on a second album but managed to record only the track "Modra bajka (Sanja zna)" before succumbing to testicular cancer on 12 February 1990.
In 1997, ITMM issued a compilation titled Modra bajka – Best of, which compiled Poslednja Igra Leptira’s hits along with "Modra bajka" and live performances. This release was followed by a concert at Belgrade’s Sava Centar featuring prominent artists interpreting the band’s repertoire.
Dragomir Stanojević continued his musical journey with the ethnic ensemble Bistrik.
Legacy
In 2011, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Poslednja Igra Leptira's triumph at the Paliluska Olimpijada kulture, a square adjacent to the Palilula Cultural Center was designated as the Plateau of Nenad Radulović, where a statue in his honor was installed. Subsequently, in October 2012, a memorial plaque dedicated to Radulović was revealed at the Youth Center in Lajkovac, the town where his parents resided following World War II.
The Croatian world music ensemble Postolar Tripper included a rendition of "Nataša" on their 2007 release Zamisli život u ritmu cipela za ples. Additionally, the Croatian tamburica group Arteški Bunar also performed a cover of the same track. The Croatian punk rock band Grupa Tvog Života featured "Umiru jeleni" on their 2007 album Kolo je spojilo ljude. In 2018, Serbian rock band Neverne Bebe recorded "Suze sa zvezda padaju," incorporating lyrics penned by Radulović during his last days.
The album Napokon ploča secured the 97th position on the ranking of the 100 Greatest Yugoslav Popular Music Albums as listed in the publication YU 100: najbolji albumi jugoslovenske rok i pop muzike. In 2011, Radio 202 listeners selected "Nataša" as one of the top 60 songs released by PGP-RTB/PGP-RTS throughout its six-decade history.
Studio albums
- Napokon ploča (1982)
- Ponovo ploča & druge priče (1983)
- Opet ploča – Srce od meda (1985)
- Grudi moje balkanske (1986)
- Zajedno smo piškili u pesku (1987)
Compilations
- Modra bajka – Best of (1997)