Crvena jabuka

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Crvena jabuka
Origin Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, then Yugoslavia
Genre(s) Pop-rock
Pop
Years active 1985-Present
Label(s) Diskoton
Croatia Records
Tutico Records
Associated acts Plavi orkestar
Valentino
Ozbiljno Pitanje
Đavoli
Members
Darko Jelčić
Dražen Žerić
Krešimir Krestenac
Damir Gnoz
Former members
Dražen Ričl (deceased)
Aljoša Buha (deceased)
Srđan Šerberdžija
Branko Salka
Zlatko Volarević
Zlatko Arslanagić
Danijel Lastric
Zlatko Bebek
Mario Vukcevic-Jimmy

Crvena jabuka is a Sarajevo-based pop band that originated in 1985, and since then has remained very popular. They were also a part of the so called New Primitives movement that occurred in the 1980s in the Former Yugoslavia territory.

Of the different lineups the band has gone through only two of the band's members managed to stay ever since the beginning: drummer Darko Jelčić, and vocalist Dražen Žerić-Žera who in the beginning played keyboards and sometimes sang backup vocals, but then switched to main vocals when Dražen Ričl died. The other two members that had remained in the band's lineup after the 1990s were Nikša Bratoš, and Krešimir Kaštelan. Guitarists were also changed and a new keyboard player was recruited as well in 2002.

Around the time of their 20th Anniversary, the band started to lose their popularity. To compensate for this two farewell concerts were organized that year.

During the war the band was stationed in Zagreb, and underwent a long hiatus.

Contents

[edit] Biography

[edit] The 80s

Crvena jabuka, which means "Red Apple", was founded in 1985. In the first row of the band was: Dražen Ričl (vocal, solo guitar), Zlatko Arslanagić (rhythm guitar, songwriting), Dražen Žerić (synthesizers, back vocals), Aljoša Buha (bass guitar), and Darko Jelčić (drums). Their self titled debut album is issued in 1986, and was an instant success. This had the first singles on it "Bježi kišo s prozora", "S tvojih usana", and "Dirlija". The band quickly gained popularity all over former Yugoslavia. On September 18, 1986 the band headed to Mostar for a promotional concert, and suffered a car accident, in which two of the members died - Dražen Ričl and Aljoša Buha.

To remember this tragic moment, a concert was done in Skenderija palace in Sarajevo in which musicians and bands from all generations performed. Crvena jabuka would end with their work.

After that the band decided to record their next album since the material for it was already done. This album was called Za sve ove godine, and due to the band's request there were no ads or tour scheduled.

After this the band worked as a trio with Dražen Žerić-Žera on vocals and occasional keyboards, Zlatko Arslanagić and Darko Jelčić maintained their positions. Near the end of 1988 the band recorded their third studio album entitled Sanjati. This by far would have to be the best selling album in all of Bosnia and Yugoslavia.

January of 1989 saw the release of yet another album called Tamo gdje ljubav počinje. Immediately after this release, a tour took place. The significant moment was at the Sports Arena in Zagreb where a double album was recorded live called "Uzmi me (kad hoćeš ti)".

[edit] The 90s

In 1991, the band released their fifth studio album. This album was titled Nekako s Proljeća, and had the singles "Moje najmilije", "Da nije ljubavi", and the title cut which has Kemal Monteno as a guest.

A tour was meant to happen, but it was never done due to the wars in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. After this album, Zlatko Arslanagić left the band and eventually moved to Toronto. Žera opened his new cafe in Sarajevo called "Broj jedan" (Number one).

Before they took a quick detour in 1993 the band released an 18-hit compilation entitled Ima nešto od srca do srca After this was released, the band entered into a new chapter. In the spring of 1994, Žera and Darko flew to Zagreb to find Nikša Bratoš, an instrumentalist as well as a programmer. Nikša offered to join the band, ending up playing guitar, synth, clarinet, violin, and mandolin. A few other band members were recruited as well: Krešimir Krestenac-Krešo on the bass guitar, Mario Vukušić-Jimmy on guitar, and Danijel Lastrić on keyboards.

With this new lineup, the band released their next album in 1996 called U tvojim očima. This album featured two guests as well as various authors of songs including Saša Lošić of Plavi orkestar. Immediately a tour went of all over including: Zagreb, Tuzla, Mostar, and Sarajevo.

In 1998, yet another studio album was released titled Svijet je lopta šarena. This was another best selling album of the band. In that same year they recorded their next live album simply called "LIVE", and in 1999, Crvena jabuka released an unplugged album called Riznice sjećanja.

[edit] 2000 to Present Day

In 2000, the band went on a new chapter with their next studio album entitled Sve što sanjam. On this album the band had the hit singles "Ti si lijepa", "Tvoga srca vrata", the title track, "Ni zadnji ni prvi", and another good hit "Niko nije lud da spava".

In 2002, Crvena jabuka returned with Tvojim željama vođen. After releasing this album, guitarist Zlatko Bebek, and keyboard player Danijel Lastrić left the band. The replacements were Marko Bjelić on keyboards, and Damir Gnöz on guitar.

In 2005, Žera reformed the band. The result was Oprosti što je ljubavna. With this album, the band started to lose its popularity. However, a 20th anniversary concert was held on April 24, 2005.

2005 also saw the release of an updated hit singles collection that the band called Zlatna kolekcija. It contained hits from 1986 to 2002.

In 2007 Crvena jabuka announced yet another album called Duša Sarajeva. The album has 11 new songs.

During the time of 2007-2008 the band was mostly doing concets touring Canada and USA. Cities covered were Toronto, Ontario in Canada, and in the US: Chicago, Detroit, and most latley there is talk of coming to Seattle on 6 June. Concerts are also expected to happen in Calgary, Alberta, and in Vancouver, British Columbia.

[edit] Discography

[edit] Studio albums

[edit] Live albums

[edit] Compilations

[edit] Members

[edit] 1985-1986

  • Drazen Ricl-lead guitar, vocals
  • Zlatko Arslanagic-rhythm guitar
  • Aljosa Buha-bass
  • Darko Jelcic-drums, percussion
  • Drazen Zeric-keyboards, synthesizer, vocals

(After the debut album, the band went to a promotional concert were two members died. For 1987 the band worked as a trio.)

[edit] 1987

  • Drazen Zeric-keyboards, harmonika, melodica, recorder, vocals
  • Zlatko Arslanagic-guitar, bass, percussion, background vocals
  • Darko Jelcic-drums, percussion

(In 1988 the band put in Srdan Serberdia and Zlatko Volarevic on bass and keyboards respectively.

[edit] 1988

  • Drazen Zeric-lead vocals
  • Zlatko Arslanagic-guitar, vocals
  • Srdan Serberdia-bass
  • Darko Jelcic-drums, percussion
  • Zlatko Volarevic-keyboards

[edit] 1989-1990

  • Drazen Zeric-vocals
  • Zlatko Arslanagic-guitar
  • Branko Salka-bass, vocals
  • Drako Jelcic-drums, percussion
  • Zlatko Volarevic-keyboards, vocals
  • Igor Ivanovic-harmonica, melodica, flute, zither (for 1989 tour only)
  • Niksa Bratos-guitar, horn arrangement, percussion, vocals

[edit] 1991-1994

  • Drazen Zeric-vocals
  • Zlatko Arlsnagic-guitar, vocals
  • Branko Salka-bass
  • Darko Jelcic-drums, percussion
  • Zlatko Volarevic-keyboards, vocals

(During this period Zlatko Arlsnagic left the band. In 1994 Drako Jelcic and Drazen Zeric reformed a lineup.)

[edit] 1994-1997

  • Drazen Zeric-lead vocals
  • Mario Vukcevic-lead guitar
  • Kresmir Kastelan-bass
  • Darko Jelcic-drums, percussion
  • Danijel Lastric-keyboards, vocals
  • Niksa Bratos-guitar, multiple instruments, vocals

(Darija Hodnik Jana Nemacek and Mirza Treterac usually sang background vocals on albums on occasionally on tour. Also in the fall of 1997 ex Plavi Orkestar guitarist Sasa Zaleguplin joined the band.)

[edit] 1998-2000

  • Drazen Zeric-lead vocals
  • Sasa Zaleguplin-lead guitar
  • Kresmir Kastelan-bass
  • Darko Jelcic-drums, percussion
  • Danijel Lastric-keyboards, vocals
  • Niksa Bratos-guitar, instruments, vocals

(In 2000 Zlatko Bebek joined in on guitar.)

[edit] 2000-2002

  • Drazen Zeric-vocals
  • Zlatko Bebek-lead guitar
  • Kresmir Kastelan-bass
  • Darko Jelcic-drums, percussion
  • Danijel Lastric-keyboards, vocals
  • Niksa Bratos-guitar, instruments, vocals

(In 2002 Zlatko Bebek and Danijel Lastric quit the band.)

[edit] 2003-2005

  • Drazen Zeric-lead vocals
  • Damir Gonz-lead guitar
  • Kresmir Kastelan-bass
  • Darko Jelcic-drums, percussion
  • Marko Belosevic-keyboards
  • Niksa Bratos-guitar, keyboards, instruments, vocals

[edit] 2007-Present

  • Drazen Zeric-vocals
  • Damir Gons-guitar, vocals
  • Kresmir Kastelan-bass, guitar
  • Darko Jelcic-drums, percussion

[edit] Personal that has come and gone over the years

  • Darija Hodnik-background vocals
  • Jana Nemacek-background vocals
  • Mirza Treterac-background vocals
  • Emir Pagric-violin, mandolin, percussion, background vocals (Mostly a touring member)
  • Klapa Nastalgia-background vocals (mostly touring)

[edit] Trivia

 Trivia sections are discouraged under Wikipedia guidelines.
The article could be improved by integrating relevant items and removing inappropriate ones.
  • The 1988 song "Sviđa mi se ova stvar" (I Like This Thing) has a guitar riff that was popular in the Los Lobos' song "La Bamba". Its lyrics are also set to the tune of the Beatles' tune "Twist and Shout".
  • The 1989 hit single "Tuga ti i ja" (Sadness, You and I) has a beginning piano and guitar sample from Journey's song "Who's Crying Now".
  • The 1991 hit single "Moje najmilije" (My Dearest) has a harmonica riff which was sampled from Supertramp. The song that it was sampled from is unknown.
  • The band's name was derived from when Darko Jelčić brought a red apple to one of the band's meetings.
  • On their unplugged concert in 1999, Crvena jabuka samples a guitar riff from Carlos Santana's song "Oye Como Va", and uses it during a break of the song "Ima nešto od srca do srca" (There is Something from Heart to Heart)
  • The beginning riff from the song "Ti znaš" has an almost identical riff as U2's song "Bad".
  • Their 1996 song "Deni" which is the B-side to "Sanjam te" starts with guitar notes similar to Deep Purple's song "Smoke on the Water".
  • Many of their earlier songs are in the style of the music from the English band Dire Straits . One example is their hit song Riznice Sjecanja , which sounds almost identical to Straits' song Why Worry
  • Many accuse Crvena Jabuka's singer, Drazen Zeric - Zera to be "anti-Serbian", when in fact he admits in multiple interviews that he is not anti-Serbian, but anti-extremist (anti-Chetnik, anti-Ustase, anti-Mudzahedin). In the Chicago concert on May 15th, 2008 he only gave one autograph at the end of the concert, that autograph was to a 16 year old Serbian fan (same fan that re-did songs Uzmi Me, Tuga, Ti i Ja, and many more on YouTube. On YouTube he goes by the name of "idolfan06".)
  • The band is almost at the end of their part II tour and they have been very successful so far. Drazen Zeric Zera took a picture with that Serbian fan this time and the picture can be seen through contact of idolfan06 on YouTube.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

Pop and Rock music of Croatia
Music of Croatia - Croatian popular music - Hrvatski Band Aid - Croatian music festivals - Croatia in the Eurovision Song Contest
Record labels
Croatia Records - Menart Records - Suzy Records
Pop and rock music of Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Music of Yugoslavia - SFR Yugoslav pop and rock scene - Yugoslav Band Aid (YU Rock Misija) - Yugoslavia in the Eurovision Song Contest
Record labels
Jugoton - PGP RTB - Suzy Records - Diskoton - ZKP RTLJ - Jugodisk