Zebra (Yugoslav band)
| Company type | Rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1976 |
| Founder | Ratislav "Raša" Đelmaš |
| Defunct | 1979 |
| Headquarters | Belgrade , Yugoslavia |
Key people | Ratislav "Raša" Đelmaš |
| Products | Music albums, singles, EPs |
Zebra () was a rock ensemble originating from Belgrade in 1976, within the former Yugoslavia. Established and fronted by drummer Ratislav "Raša" Đelmaš, Zebra gained recognition as a significant contributor to the 1970s Yugoslav rock movement.
1976–1979
Throughout the 1960s and early 1970s, drummer Raša Đelmaš was active with several groups such as Anđeli, Hendriksova Deca, Mobi Dik, and Felix. In 1972, he became part of Pop Mašina, briefly collaborated with Siluete, and later that year joined YU Grupa, where he participated in recording three albums over a four-year span. After departing from YU Grupa in 1976, Đelmaš went on to form Zebra.
The original formation featured Đelmaš on drums, Bata Radovanović handling keyboards, Dušan Lazarević on bass, Miroslav Stamenković playing trumpet, Karolj Burai on saxophone, along with vocalists Anka Lazarević and Ana Merlini (guitar). Throughout its existence, the band saw various members join, including prominent guitarists Nenad "Nele" Stamatović—who later played with Bulevar and Bajaga i Instruktori—and Željko Nikolić, who eventually led Roze Poze.
Zebra’s first release was the EP Igra (The Game) in 1977 under the ZKP RTLJ label, produced by Ivo Umek. The compositions were created by Đelmaš with lyrics contributed by singer-songwriter Dušan Prelević. That same year, the band appeared at the sixth BOOM Festival; their tracks "Telefon" and "Moja mala zebra" were included on the live compilation BOOM '77. In 1978, Zebra put out two singles.
Their only full-length studio album, Kažu da takav je red (They Say That's the Way It Should Be), was released in 1979. The lineup featured Đelmaš on drums, Anka Lazarević providing vocals, Bata Radovanović on keyboards, Željko Nikolić playing guitar, and Zoran Bartulović on bass. All music was composed by Đelmaš while most lyrics were written by Lazarević; the exception being "Šarena laža," authored by poet Duško Trifunović. Beyond drumming, Đelmaš also contributed vocals, percussion instruments, and synthesizer parts. The album was produced by Nikola Borota Radovan and showcased a science fiction-inspired cover alongside comic-style illustrations created by Vladeta Andrić. Despite its production quality, critics generally reacted unfavorably due to what they viewed as simplistic lyricism. Following this release, the band dissolved.
Post breakup
Following Zebra’s dissolution, Đelmaš launched a solo project with the hard rock album Hot rock in 1982. He performed both vocals and drums on the record alongside Zoran Nastoski (Magično Oko) who also sang, Laza Ristovski on keyboards, former YU Grupa guitarist Bata Kostić, and bassist Lola Andrijić. The lyrics were penned by Lazarević who additionally provided backing vocals. In 1989, Đelmaš returned to YU Grupa to record two further albums before retiring from the music industry to pursue car racing. He died in Belgrade on 28 October 2021.
Studio albums
- Kažu da takav je red (1979)
EPs
- Igra (1977)
Singles
- "Moja mala zebra" / "Šumadinka plava" (1978)
- "Ma ko si ti" / "Motor" (1978)
Other appearances
- "Telefon" / "Moja mala zebra" (BOOM '77, 1977)
External links
- Articles with short description
- Rock bands from Serbia
- Hard rock bands from Serbia
- Rock groups from Yugoslavia
- Hard rock ensembles of Yugoslavia
- Bands originating in Belgrade
- Musical acts formed in 1976
- Musical acts that disbanded in 1979
- 1976 establishments in the former Yugoslavia
- 1979 disestablishments in the former Yugoslavia
- Musical groups disestablished in 1979