San (band)
| Company type | Rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1971 in Belgrade, Yugoslavia |
| Founder | Aleksandar "Sanja" Ilić |
| Defunct | 1975 |
| Headquarters | Belgrade , Yugoslavia |
| Products | Music recordings, singles |
San (, translated as The Dream) was a rock ensemble from Yugoslavia, established in Belgrade in 1971. The group was fronted by keyboardist and composer Aleksandar "Sanja" Ilić and gained recognition within the Yugoslav rock scene during the early 1970s. The band ceased activities in 1975 following the accidental death of their lead singer, Predrag Jovičić, who suffered an electric shock while performing live.
1971–1975
The formation of San took place in 1971 under the leadership of Aleksandar "Sanja" Ilić, who had previously been a member of Vragolani. The initial roster featured Ilić on keyboards, vocalist Predrag Jovičić, guitarist Aleksandar Slaviković (formerly of Bele Višnje), bassist Dragoslav Jovanović, and drummer Aleksandar Grujić (ex-Smeli).
Their debut single was released in 1971 through PGP-RTB, containing the tracks "Tebe sam želeo" and "Helena." Two years later, they followed up with another single that included "Papirni brodovi" and "Hej, malena." Throughout 1974, San issued three additional singles: "Legenda"/"Milena," "Jedan svet za sve"/"Srce na dlanu," and "Anabela"/"Zvezda ljubavi." Notably, the track "Legenda" received the Second Prize at the 1974 Festival Omladina held in Subotica.
San also recorded sessions for Radio Belgrade, provided musical support for singer Miki Jevremović, and performed concerts along the Adriatic coastline. Meanwhile, Ilić was engaged in composing scores for the film ITD as well as creating the rock opera Arhanđeli i automati, which premiered at Belgrade's Dadov Theatre.
Tragically, on 2 February 1975 at a concert in Čair Hall located in Niš, vocalist Jovičić died due to an electric shock incident. This event prompted the disbandment of San, with Ilić choosing to withdraw from performing in rock bands thereafter.
Post-breakup
Following San’s dissolution, Aleksandar Ilić embarked on a prosperous path as a composer.
In tribute to Jovičić, the progressive rock group Pop Mašina released the song "Rekvijem za prijatelja" ("Requiem for a Friend") in 1975, featuring lyrics penned by Ljuba Ninković from S Vremena Na Vreme.
Two years later, in 1977, former members of San collaborated with musicians from Maj (May), Korni Grupa, and vocalists such as Zdravko Čolić, Dado Topić, and Bisera Veletanlić to produce the commemorative album Uspomene (Memories). This record included compositions originally meant for San's unreleased debut album.
In 1994, their song "Legenda" was featured on Komuna’s compilation titled Sve smo mogli mi: Akustičarska muzika (We Could Have Done All: Acoustic Music), which highlighted acoustic rock performers from Yugoslavia.
Singles
- "Tebe sam želeo" / "Helena" (1971)
- "Papirni brodovi" / "Hej, malena" (1973)
- "Legenda" / "Milena" (1974)
- "Jedan svet za sve" / "Srce na dlanu" (1974)
- "Anabela" / "Zvezda ljubavi" (1974)