Former Yugoslav Music After The War

 The Yoguslav wars that ensued in the early 90s, put many popular artists' careers on pause. While some of them resurged in popularity shortly thereafter, many others have had a hard time living up to their success of the past. 

So, how did it all change?

Most noteably, the biggest changes to have occured were at the record companies. Based in Zagreb, Jugoton, one of the major labels that issued at least 75% of the music made pre-war, and even issued LPs by the likes of Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd through licenses, evolved into Croatia Records in 1991. Below is a picture of their logo.
Croatia Records - Wikipedia

Other record labels, such as Sarajevo's Diskoton, simply fell apart as early as 1992. Still, as old stars died, new ones were born, such as City Records that replaced another notorious release leader of the day, PGP RTG of Belgrade. 

What about the bands?

Many of the most popular bands of the day sadly either fell apart, or went on a hiatus. Most noteably, Goran Bregovich-led Bijelo Dugme ("White Button,)" split in 1990 out of fear of the looming wars. 

Indeksi, "The Indeces," another popular former Yugoslav ensamble, have, even since the 80s, failed to live up to their success in the 60s and 70s. Moreover, vocalist Davorin Popovich passed away after a long cancer battle in 2001, effectively putting an end to the band - albeit offshoots of the band did continue until guitarist Slobodon A. Kovachevich's death in 2006.

North of Bosnia, bands like Prljavo Kazaliste (The Dirty Theatre) and Jura Stublich & Film, made strides even in the height of the war, the former more than the latter. Prljavo Kazaliste held a massive Christmas concert in 1994 and have since regularly released albums of new material alongside greatest hits packages.

Even South of the Bosnian border, artists such as Bajaga & Instruktori, "Bajaga and The Instructors," ("j" pronounced like english "y)," and Riblja Chorba "Fish Stew," continued making music in the new decade and beyond. Neither of the two have been particularly successful, although Bajaga has made music at more regular intervals and both have toured regularly since. 

Popular singer, Djordje Balashevich ("Dj" pronounced like "G" in "George)," has constantly made music in his career and has released albums even during the wartine, but has not toured until after the war.

What about some other Bosnian bands?

After Bijelo Dugme, perhaps two of the most popular bands have been Plavi Orkestar "The Blue Orchestra," and Crvena Jabuka, "The Red Apple." Both of these bands rose to prominence and fame in the md to late 1980s, but due to the political instability that settled in the early 90s, both had to put their careers on hold.

Plavi Orkestar has come back after the war, but have released very few albums. In fact, since the early 2000s, they have been become more of a live band. Their most recent album was issued in 2012, and after the tour ended in 2013, they have been on an indefinite hiatus since about 2014.

On the other hand, Crvena Jabuka resurged in popularity, commencing with their 1996 album, U tvojim Ochima "In your Eyes." Despite a drop in popularity in the early 2000s, they have continued to release albums and even these year, issued an album to coincide with their 35th anniversary, Sarajevo 1985-2020, pictured below.
CRVENA JABUKA - SARAJEVO 1985.-2020. - Amazon.com Music

In addition to Bijelo Dugme, another band popular during the punk scene of the late 1970s ad early 80s, Azra, has been inactive since the late 1980s, although leader Branimir "Johnny" Shtuljich has dropped a few solo albums since.

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