Vatreni Poljubac
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1977 in Sarajevo, SR Bosnia and Herzegovina, SFR Yugoslavia |
| Founder | Milić Vukašinović, Shefqet Hoxha, Perica Stojanović |
| Headquarters | Belgrade , Serbia |
| Products | Hard rock and heavy metal music |
Vatreni Poljubac (meaning Fiery Kiss) is a band specializing in hard rock and heavy metal, established in 1977 in Sarajevo, SR Bosnia and Herzegovina, SFR Yugoslavia. Since 1998, the group has been operating out of Belgrade, Serbia. Fronted by vocalist, guitarist, and principal songwriter Milić Vukašinović, Vatreni Poljubac played a significant role within the Yugoslav hard rock and heavy metal landscape.
The founding members were Vukašinović, bassist Shefqet Hoxha, and drummer Perica Stojanović. Their initial releases—the single "Doktor za rock and roll" and the album Oh, što te volim, joj!—defined their fusion of hard rock and heavy metal enriched with folk elements. Although some critics from the Yugoslav music media reproached the band for blending folk motifs—sometimes equated with "newly composed folk music"—the band sustained a devoted audience.
Following a break lasting three years starting in 1982, Vukašinović revived the band to produce the 1985 comeback record Iz inata. The 1986 album 100% Rock 'n' Roll, which featured former Bijelo Dugme singer Mladen Vojičić "Tifa", stands as the sole Vatreni Poljubac release without Vukašinović handling vocal duties. After this album, the group dissolved as Vukašinović concentrated on collaborations with Yugoslav folk musicians and his solo career.
In 1997, Vukašinović moved to Belgrade and reassembled Vatreni Poljubac in 1998. Throughout the following twenty years, he issued various albums under the band's name with changing lineups alongside his individual projects. Although these later productions attained modest commercial impact, Vatreni Poljubac continues to enjoy a loyal fan following across the former Yugoslav territories.
Early career of Milić Vukašinović; tenure with Indexi and Bijelo Dugme (1962–1976)
Milić "Mića" Vukašinović was born in Belgrade but relocated early to Sarajevo due to his father’s military service. He began playing drums at age twelve, initially performing with his brother’s ensemble before joining Plavi Dijamanti at thirteen. After being expelled from gymnasium, he enrolled in a technical school but eventually left to fully commit to music.
In 1965, he performed with Čičak and by 1970 toured clubs across Italy alongside Goran Bregović, Željko Bebek, and Zoran Redžić, forming the progressive rock trio Mića, Goran i Zoran. Unsatisfied with limited achievements, he spent three years from 1971 living in London doing manual labor while learning guitar skills. Returning to Sarajevo in 1974, he joined the established band Indexi. In October 1976, during drummer Ipe Ivandić’s military service, Vukašinović temporarily filled his role in the prominent band Bijelo Dugme, departing when Ivandić resumed duties in 1977.
Band inception, ascent, and hiatus (1977–1982)
After departing Bijelo Dugme in 1977, Vukašinović founded Vatreni Poljubac with Shefqet Hoxha on bass and Perica Stojanović on drums. Their first public appearance was at the 1977 BOOM Festival, followed by releasing their popular single "Doktor za rock and roll," which attracted notable attention despite enforced lyric modifications by their record label.
Their debut album Oh, što te volim, joj!, recorded in London under producer Richard Whally in 1978, showcased heavy metal-inspired guitar riffs paired with bold lyrics that matched their vigorous hard rock approach. Critics accused them of emulating Bijelo Dugme’s Balkan folk-rock blend; however, the album contained memorable tracks such as the ballad "Baj, baj, malena." In 1979, Vatreni Poljubac participated at the Opatija Festival with songs included on its official compilation.
The double album Recept za rock 'n' roll released in 1979 continued their signature folk-influenced hard rock style across sixteen tracks predominantly composed by Vukašinović earlier that decade. This release cemented his reputation as a "heavy metal folk singer." In 1980 came To je ono pravo, which upheld their distinctive sound featuring assertive lyrics alongside politically charged songs like "Oda heroju," described as "national-liberation-revolutionary-heavy metal." That same year saw another performance at Opatija Festival.
Later in 1980, they released Bez dlake na jeziku, including hits such as the sensual "Boogie je htjela" and socially aware "Moj dug je otišo van," addressing youth emigration linked to unemployment. After this album’s release, Hoxha departed to establish new bands before relocating to Bulgaria; Sanin Karić—formerly of Teška Industrija and a touring member with Bijelo Dugme—replaced him on bass.
Vukašinović sought international recognition by recording sixteen English-language tracks but ultimately refocused efforts on Yugoslavia due to limited success abroad. The subsequent album Živio rock 'n' roll featured emblematic songs like "Krv i znoj" and a critique of new wave performers titled "Poštovani ska ska." This record also incorporated punk influences and introduced piano parts performed by Laza Ristovski.
Following the release of Bez dlake na jeziku, Vukašinović placed Vatreni Poljubac on hold. During this interval, he composed three albums for folk singer Hanka Paldum and recorded his first solo pop-rock album Potraži me, where he played multiple instruments accompanied by Ristovski on keyboards. Meanwhile, Karić turned to goldsmithing while Stojanović co-founded Estrada café—a vital Sarajevo venue for musicians.
Return and dissolution (1985–1986)
In 1985, Vatreni Poljubac made a comeback with the album Iz inata (translated as Out of Spite), recorded by a refreshed lineup including Vukašinović, Nedžib Jelač on bass, and Velibor Rajčić on drums. The record included the popular track "Žikino kolo," distinguished by its witty lyrics. On June 15 of the same year, Vatreni Poljubac took the stage at Belgrade's Red Star Stadium during YU Rock Misija, Yugoslavia's segment of the Live Aid global event. However, due to dissatisfaction with the audio quality, Vukašinović abruptly ceased playing midway through "Živio Rock 'n' Roll," an episode that attracted significant criticism after being broadcast live on Yugoslav television.
By 1986, Karić and Rajčić had returned to the group, now featuring ex-Bijelo Dugme frontman Mladen Vojičić "Tifa". This ensemble produced the album 100% Rock 'n' Roll, notable as the only Vatreni Poljubac release without Vukašinović handling vocal duties. Keyboard contributions came from Đorđe Ilijin of progressive rock band Tako. The sound shifted towards influences reminiscent of Deep Purple and Whitesnake, while Vukašinović’s lyrics maintained their focus on themes such as sex, alcohol, and rock music. Prominent songs from this album included "Kad sve prođe ostaću sam," "Stipu gatibo," alongside ballads like "Kako da te ostavim" and "Ne pitaj me." Following this release, Vukašinović chose to cease the band's operations.
Post-breakup endeavors of Vukašinović (1987–1997)
After Vatreni Poljubac disbanded, Vukašinović transitioned into composing for Yugoslav folk musicians, retaining exclusive control over songwriting, arrangements, instrumentation, and production aspects. In 1988, he issued a folk-oriented album titled Hej jaro, jarane (meaning Hey, Buddy, Friend). Four years later, in 1992, he recorded Kao nekad (Like Before), collaborating with Mustafa Čengić, formerly of Zabranjeno Pušenje. Despite producing vinyl records and cover art for this album, official promotion was hindered by the outbreak of the Bosnian War, with only the track "Sad ga lomi" receiving media attention.
During the Bosnian War period, Vukašinović remained in besieged Sarajevo and played percussion for Bosnian Latin ensemble Sonidos Barbados, contributing to their albums Zaštićena zona (1995) and Senora (1996). In 1997, Nimfa Sound released two compilation albums—Dr. za rock 'n roll and 100% rock 'n roll—which included tracks from Vatreni Poljubac alongside Vukašinović’s solo pieces. That same year saw him compose "Goodbye," performed by Alma Čardžić as Bosnia and Herzegovina’s entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1997.
Revival (1998–present)
In November 1997, Vukašinović moved to Belgrade and reassembled Vatreni Poljubac with bassist Marko Nikolić and drummer Dušan Obradović. Their first appearance was at the 1998 Concert of the Year festival held in Novi Sad. By September 1999, they released Sve će jednom proć' samo neće nikad Rock 'n' Roll (translated as Everything Will Pass, Except Rock 'n' Roll), an album containing seventeen tracks predominantly centered around erotic themes. In early 2000, Vukašinović launched his solo album Sad ga lomi, featuring material originally recorded for his unreleased 1992 album Kao nekad. The band resumed live performances with guitarist Miloš Nikolić joining their ranks.
The year 2001 brought another solo project from Vukašinović titled Seksualno nemoralan tip (meaning Sexually Immoral Guy), created in collaboration with Laza Ristovski. This was followed by a folk rock solo album called Ima boga (There Is God) in 2003. Additionally, he worked alongside singer Selma Muhedinović on "Tebi suđena" ("Destined to You") for Bosnia’s Eurovision national selection; however, the song did not advance.
In 2005, Vukašinović reunited with former bandmates Sanin Karić and Perica Stojanović to produce new recordings as well as rework classic tracks for Vatreni Poljubac’s ninth studio album titled Gleda a ne da (translated as She's Looking at Me but Won't Give Me Some). That same year he also took part in Bijelo Dugme’s reunion concerts across Sarajevo, Zagreb, and Belgrade. Subsequently, he released a double solo album encompassing fifty Bijelo Dugme hits named Disko Mix 50 hitova Gorana Bregovića. Pursuing international recognition, he issued the single "Stop Globalization" under the pseudonym Mitch Valiant. In 2007, although scheduled to open for the Rolling Stones performance at Belgrade’s Ušće park, Vukašinović withdrew due to dissatisfaction with his position on the lineup. The following year saw collaboration with folk singer Era Ojdanić on the album Da je život pametniji (meaning If Life Were Smarter).
With bassist Srđan Đukić and drummer Vladimir Ćopić joining him, Vukašinović recorded Vatreni Poljubac’s tenth studio effort titled Kad svira rock 'n' roll (When Rock 'n' Roll is Playing), which was released in 2011. His next solo release came in 2014 with the album Nemoj pjevat'... Ma nemoj (translated as Don't Sing... You Don't Say), where he played several instruments alongside Laza Ristovski and bassist Branko Isaković. In 2020, Bosnian filmmaker Miroslav Čigoja directed a documentary entitled 70 godina doktora za rokenrol (70 Years of PhD in Rock 'n' Roll) chronicling Vukašinović's career.
Vatreni Poljubac’s most recent studio album is Život je k'o fol ako nije R'n'R (meaning Life Is Fake If It Ain't R'n'R), released in 2022. This record blends Vukašinović’s characteristic erotic lyricism with songs addressing political topics.
Legacy
The song "Doktor za rock and roll" was interpreted by the Serbian punk ensemble Direktori on their 1995 release Lesli se vraća kući. Half a decade afterward, Vukašinović appeared as a guest artist on Direktori's album Evo vam ga, contributing to the track "Smor grad." This particular song secured the 95th position on the Rock Express Top 100 Yugoslav Rock Songs of All Times list in 2001 and is featured in Petar Janjatović's collection Pesme bratstva, detinjstva & potomstva: Antologija ex YU rok poezije 1967 – 2007.
Members
- Milić Vukašinović – vocals, guitar (1977–1986, 1998–present)
- Perica Stojanović – drums (1977–1982, 1986, 2005)
- Shefqet Hoxha – bass guitar (1977–1980)
- Sanin Karić – bass guitar (1980–1982, 1986, 2005)
- Nedžib Jeleč – bass guitar (1985)
- Velibor Rajčić – drums (1985)
- Mladen Vojičić – vocals (1986)
- Marko Nikolić – bass guitar (1998–2001)
- Dušan Obradović – drums (1998–2001)
- Miloš Nikolić – guitar (2000–2001)
- Srđan Đukić – bass guitar (2011–present)
- Vladimir Ćopić – drums (2011–present)
Studio albums
- Oh, što te volim, joj! (1978)
- Recept za rock 'n' roll (1979)
- To je ono pravo (1980)
- Bez dlake na jeziku (1980)
- Živio rock 'n' roll (1982)
- Iz inata (1985)
- 100% Rock 'n' Roll (1986)
- Sve će jednom proć' samo neće nikad Rock 'n' Roll (1999)
- Gleda a ne da (2005)
- Kad svira rock 'n' roll (2011)
- Život je k'o fol ako nije R'n'R (2022)
Compilation albums
- Veliki hitovi (1983)
- Dr. za rock 'n roll (1997)
- 100% rock 'n roll (1997)
- Najveći hitovi (2000)
Singles
- "Doktor za rock and roll" / "Tvoje usne su bile moj najdraži dar" (1978)
- "Na vrat na nos i na svoju ruku" / "Od želje da te ljubim hoću prosto da poludim" (1979)
External links
- Bosnia and Herzegovina rock music groups
- Bosnia and Herzegovina heavy metal musical groups
- Serbian hard rock musical groups
- Serbian heavy metal musical groups
- Serbian folk rock groups
- Yugoslav rock music groups
- Yugoslav hard rock musical groups
- Yugoslav heavy metal musical groups
- Yugoslav musical trios
- Bosnia and Herzegovina musical trios
- Serbian musical trios
- Musical groups established in 1977
- Musical groups disestablished in 1986
- Musical groups reestablished in 1998