Tunel (band)

Tunel

Company type	Rock band
Industry	Music
Founded	1980 in Belgrade, Serbia
Defunct	1992
Headquarters	Belgrade , Serbia
Products	Studio albums, live albums, compilation albums, singles

Tunel (, transliterated as Tunnel) was a rock ensemble from Serbia and the former Yugoslavia, established in Belgrade in 1980.

Conceived as a supergroup, Tunel brought together former musicians Ljuba Ninković (formerly of S Vremena Na Vreme) on guitar, Vladimir Janković "Vlada Džet" (ex-Crni Biseri) on bass, and Steva Stevanović (previously with SOS) on drums. Guitarist Vlada Negovanović joined the group in 1984, later succeeded by Predrag Guculj in 1987. The band dissolved in 1992 when Ninković returned to S Vremena Na Vreme. Throughout their career, they released five studio albums featuring several popular tracks.

1980–1992

Tunel was founded in 1980 by Ljuba Ninković (vocals, guitar), Vladimir Janković "Vlada Džet" (vocals, bass), and Steva Stevanović (drums). Initially, their sound was rooted in melodic classic rock, and they primarily performed at various festivals during their early years.

Their first album, Noćni prolaz (1982), produced by Robert Nemeček and issued through Jugodisk, included modest hits such as "Natali," "Radio," and the sensual "Volim sax," along with a rendition of Steppenwolf's "Born to Be Wild." The subsequent release, Niz tri tamne ulice (1983), also under Nemeček's production, featured a Serbo-Croatian adaptation of Bobby Womack's "It's All Over Now."

In 1984, guitarist Vladimir Negovanović joined the lineup after stints with Butik, Doktor Spira i Ljudska Bića, and Slađana Milošević's band Ljudi. This formation recorded the album Elektirčna iluzija (1984), produced by Đorđe Petrović and distributed by PGP-RTB. The 1987 album Do poslednje kapi..., co-produced by Tunel and Bata Kostić from YU Grupa, contained a Serbian-language version of Willie Dixon's "Little Red Rooster" titled "Crveni petao," featuring guest vocals from Asim Sarvan.

In 1985, Ninković took part in YU Rock Misija; Tunel performed at the related concert held at Red Star Stadium.

Following Negovanović's departure in 1987 to join Spori Ritam Band (and later Bajaga i Instruktori), Predrag Guculj—formerly associated with Rambo Amadeus—became his replacement. Their 1991 self-produced album Bubnjevi preko reke, released via PGP-RTB, showcased collaborations with artists such as Branko Marušić "Čutura," Bilja Krstić, Asim Sarvan, Željko Marinković, and Saša Lokner of Bajaga i Instruktori. This album included a cover of The Doors' "Love Street" ("Ulica ljubavi") and the sensual track "Još uvek (volim sax)" featuring guitarist Borko Mitić.

Tunel disbanded in 1992 when Ninković resumed his activities with S Vremena Na Vreme.

Post breakup

Following the band's dissolution, Vladimir Janković worked as an editor and presenter at Radio 202. He also established Vlada Jet Band alongside guitarist Boban Birtašević (formerly of Siluete) and drummer Jovan Ljubisavljević "Kića" (ex-Crni Biseri). The group released six studio albums, including the 2005 release Brand 40, which featured backing vocals from Ninković.

In 1996, Raglas Records compiled and issued Tunel's greatest hits collection titled It's Only Rock 'n' Roll.

The year 2021 saw Long Play release Uživo 1982–1985 (Official Bootleg), containing live recordings from concerts held at Zagreb's Kulušić club as well as performances during youth work actions in Negotin, Paraćin, and Pirot.

In 2022, Fidbox released the double vinyl compilation Antologija, which was subsequently issued on CD by PGP-RTS in 2023.

Studio albums

• Noćni prolaz (1982)
• Niz tri tamne ulice (1983)
• Električna iluzija (1984)
• Do poslednje kapi... (1987)
• Bubnjevi preko reke (1991)

Live albums

• Uživo 1982–1985 (Official Bootleg)

Compilation albums

• It's Only Rock 'n' Roll (1996)
• Antologija (2022)

Singles

• "Radio" / "Svako je zna" (1980)
• "Natali" / "Svako je zna" (1981)
• "Srećna Nova godina" / "A ti me samo gledaš" (1981)
• "Ne plaši se" / "Jo Jo" (1987)

External links

• Tunel at Discogs