Ruž
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1982 |
| Headquarters | Belgrade , Yugoslavia (now Serbia) |
| Products | Music albums |
Ruž (; transliterated as Rouge) was a pop rock ensemble originating from Belgrade, active within the Serbian and broader Yugoslav music scene.
History
The band was established in 1982, eventually solidifying its lineup with vocalist Vuk Rosandić, guitarist Miloš Kozić and his twin brother Marko Kozić on bass, alongside drummer Zoran Tomašević, known as "Toma." Shortly after their formation, Jugoton expressed interest in signing the group. As the popularity of Plavi Orkestar declined, Ruž succeeded in attracting a segment of their fan base. Their debut record, Još jedan ples (1988), produced by Ivan Fece "Firči," earned gold certification and featured prominent collaborators such as Marina Perazić. All songs were penned by Miloš Kozić, with "Zubarka" standing out as the leading single.
In 1990, their sophomore album Noćno kupanje was released through PGP-RTB amidst growing national unrest. Đorđe Petrović took on production duties, incorporating guest performances by Dragan Jovanović and the Kovač sisters. Tracks like "Nemica" and "Amerikanka" elevated Ruž to teen idol status, supported by an extensive tour spanning Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Macedonia with approximately 120 shows. The band also appeared at the 1991 Belgrade Spring Festival, delivering a rendition of Pro Arte's "Jedna mala plava." With the onset of the Yugoslav Wars, Rosandić relocated first to London and subsequently to the United States.
In 1992, operating without Rosandić, Ruž unveiled Čuvari ljubavi, produced by Saša Habić and featuring contributions from musicians including Nikola Vranjković and Jelena Galonjić. The album contained the popular track "Ima nešto u tvojim očima." Following this release, the Kozić twins formed a new band named Čuvari Ljubavi with vocalist Daniel Vuletić, issuing an album in 1993. Concurrently, Rosandić returned to rejoin forces with Tomašević and bassist Dejan Grujić (formerly of Čutura i Oblaci), continuing under the Ruž name. Their 1993 album Nº 4, produced by Zlatko Manojlović, predominantly showcased his compositions along with a cover of his group's hit "Šošana."
By 1995, Ruž issued Kao nekada..., with Đorđe Petrović again producing. Songwriting was contributed by Grujić, the Kozić brothers, and members of Zana. This album featured a cover of Laki Pingvini's "Šizika," including guest musician Đorđe Dragojlović. Additional guest artists such as Saša Ranđelović and Darko Grujić also participated. Soon after this release, Rosandić moved permanently to the United States, leading to the band's dissolution.
Post breakup
Following his tenure with Ruž, Miloš Kozić collaborated with pop vocalists Maja Odžaklijevska and Goca Tržan. During the 1990s, Zoran Tomašević hosted the television program YU Top 10 on TV Pink and briefly held the role of marketing director at City Records before emigrating to the United States in 2001. In the early 2000s, Dejan Grujić became part of the Irish folk/Celtic rock group Orthodox Celts. Vuk Rosandić released a solo album titled Trajem in 2003 prior to retiring from his musical career.
Studio albums
- Još jedan ples (1988)
- Noćno kupanje (1990)
- Čuvari ljubavi (1992)
- Nº 4 (1993)
- Kao nekada... (1995)