Suncokret
| Company type | Acoustic rock ensemble |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1975 in Belgrade, Yugoslavia |
| Founder | Bora Đorđević, Nenad Božić, Snežana Jandrlić, Vesna Rakočević |
| Defunct | 1980 |
| Headquarters | Belgrade , Yugoslavia |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
Suncokret (; meaning Sunflower) was an acoustic rock ensemble originating from Belgrade, within the former Yugoslavia.
1975 — 1980
Established in 1975 by Bora Đorđević, previously of Zajedno, who contributed vocals and acoustic guitar, alongside Nenad Božić (vocals, acoustic guitar), and vocalists Snežana Jandrlić and Vesna Rakočević, Suncokret underwent early changes when Rakočević departed to join Zdravo. Her position was subsequently filled by Bilja Krstić and Gorica Popović, with Bata Sokić joining as bassist in 1976.
The group issued multiple successful singles, some drawing inspiration from traditional melodies. They also appeared in Mića Milošević's 1976 film Tit for Tat, contributing several tracks to its soundtrack. Their set at the 1976 BOOM Festival in Belgrade was captured on the live compilation BOOM '76.
Their first album, Moje bube (My Bugs), was released in 1977, featuring notable songs such as "Kara Mustafa" and "Moje tuge" ("My Sorrows"), alongside comedic pieces like "Vuk i krava" ("Wolf and Cow") and "Oglas" ("Advertisement"). The album also included ballads, most prominently the signature track "Prvi sneg" ("First Snow"), penned by Dušan Mihajlović "Spira". A live rendition of "Prvi sneg" appeared on the BOOM '77 record. After this release, keyboardist Duško Nikodijević and drummer Ljubinko Milošević joined as full-time members.
In 1977, tensions emerged when some members declined to perform Đorđević’s composition "Lutka sa naslovne strane", prompting Đorđević and Biljana Krstić to exit for Rani Mraz. Đorđević soon went on to form Riblja Čorba, a band that rose to prominence within the Yugoslav rock scene.
With Snežana Jandrlić at the helm, Suncokret shifted towards a more electric sound. The lineup featured Sokić, Nikodijević, guitarist Dušan "Duda" Bezuha, and drummer Vladimir Golubović. Subsequent personnel changes saw Golubović and Bezuha replaced by bassist Branko Isaković and drummer Ivan "Vd" Vdović. The band released two additional singles before disbanding due to internal disagreements.
Reunions (1995, 2011)
Suncokret reunited in 1995 for a concert at the Belgrade Youth Center, sharing the stage with other acoustic rock acts from the 1970s. This reunion featured Bora Đorđević, Bata Sokić, Duda Bezuha, Gorica Popović, Snežana Jandrlić, Bilja Krstić, and Vlajko Golubović.
Another reunion occurred in 2011 when Gorica Popović, Biljana Krstić, Snežana Jandrlić, Bata Sokić, and Nenad Božić performed at the 50th anniversary of Festival Omladina, presenting classics like "Prvi sneg" and "Moje bube."
Legacy
The album Moje bube was ranked 78th on the list of the top 100 Yugoslav popular music albums compiled in 1998 in YU 100: najbolji albumi jugoslovenske rok i pop muzike.
In 2006, the song "Prvi sneg" earned the #70 spot on the B92 Top 100 Domestic Songs ranking.
Lyrics from both "Uspavanka" and "Prvi sneg" were included in Petar Janjatović's collection Pesme bratstva, detinjstva & potomstva: Antologija ex YU rok poezije 1967 - 2007, underscoring their cultural importance.
Studio albums
- Moje bube (1977)
Singles
- "Kara Mustafa" / "Moje tuge" (1975)
- "Gde ćeš biti, lepa Kejo" / "Pusto more, pusti vali" (1976)
- "Rock 'n' Roll duku duku" / "Gili gili blues" (1976)
- "Oj, nevene" / "Tekla voda" (ZKP RTLJ 1976)
- "Imam pesmu za sve ljude" / "Čovek koga znam" (1978)
- "Dlakavo čudo" / "Noćna ptica" (1979)
- "Sviće novi dan" / "Tvoja mama gunđa protiv mene" (1979)
Other appearances
- "Moj đerdane" (from BOOM '76, 1976)
- "Prvi sneg" (featured on BOOM '77, 1977)
References
- EX YU ROCK enciklopedija 1960-2006, Janjatović Petar;