Zebra (Yugoslav band)
| Zebra | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Belgrade, Serbia, Yugoslavia |
| Genres | Rock |
| Years active | 1976 – 1979 |
| Labels | ZKP RTLJ, PGP-RTB |
| Associated acts | Pop Mašina, YU Grupa, Bulevar, Bajaga i Instruktori, Roze Poze |
| Past members |
Raša Đelmaš Anka Lazarević Ana Merlini Bata Radovanović Dušan Lazarević Miroslav Stamenković Karolj Burai Nenad Stamatović Željko Nikolić Zoran Bartulović |
Zebra (Serbian Cyrillic: Зебра) was a Yugoslav rock group from Belgrade.
Band history
Zebra was formed in by drummer Ratislav "Raša" Đelmaš. During the 1960s and the beginning of 1970s, Đelmaš was a member of bands Anđeli, Hendriksova Deca, Mobi Dik and Felix.[1] In 1972, he became a member of Pop Mašina, during the summer of the same year he performed with Siluete, and in the autumn of 1972 he became a member of YU Grupa.[1] He spent four years with the band and recorded three albums with them, at the same time being a successful race car driver.[1] After leaving YU Grupa in 1976, Đelmaš formed Zebra.[1] The first lineup of Zebra featured, besides Đelmaš, Anka Lazarević (vocals), Ana Merlini (guitar), Bata Radovanović (kyboards), Dušan Lazarević (bass guitar), Miroslav Stamenković (trumpet) and Karolj Burai (saxophone).[1] During the following years, a large number of musicians passed through the band, including guitarists Nenad "Nele" Stamatović (later a member of the bands Bulevar and Bajaga i Instruktori and a solo artist) and Željko Nikolić (later the leader of Roze Poze).[1]
Zebra's debut release, EP Igra (Game), was released through ZKP RTLJ in 1977.[1] It was produced by Ivo Umek.[1] All the songs were composed by Đelmaš, and the lyrics were written by Dušan Prelević.[1] During the same year, the band performed at the sixth BOOM Festival, and their songs "Telefon" ("Telephone") and "Moja mala zebra" ("My Little Zebra") appeared on the various artists live album BOOM '77.[1] During 1978, the band released two 7" singles.[1]
In 1979, the band released the studio album Kažu da takav je red (They Say That's the Way It Should Be).[1] The band recorded the album in the lineup that featured Raša Đelmaš (drums), Anka Lazarević (vocals), Bata Radovanović (keyboards) Željko Nikolić (guitar) and Zoran Bartulović (bass guitar).[2] All the songs were composed by Đelmaš, the lyrics were written by Lazarević, except the lyrics for "Šarena laža" ("Hoax"), written by Duško Trifunović.[2] Besides playing drums, on the album recording Đelmaš also sang and played percussion and synthesizer.[1] The album was produced by Nikola Borota Radovan, and the science fiction-themed cover and the comic on the inner sleeve were designed by Vladeta Andrić.[2] The album was poorly received by the critics, mostly due to Lazarević's lyrics.[2] Soon after the album release, the group disbanded.[1]
Post-breakup
After Zebra ended their activity, Đelmaš released a solo album Hot rock, in 1982.[1] The album lyrics were written by Lazarević, who also sang backing vocals on the recording.[1] After that, Đelmaš retired from music, dedicating himself to car racing.[1] In 1989, he returned to YU Grupa,[1] recording two more albums with them.[3]
Discography
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)