Plavi Orkestar () is a pop rock band originally formed in Sarajevo, SR Bosnia and Herzegovina, SFR Yugoslavia in 1983, and since 1998 based in Slovenia. Plavi Orkestar was one of the most popular acts of the 1980s Yugoslav rock scene and one of the best-selling acts of the Yugoslav popular music scene in general.

The band was started in 1982 by four teenagers – vocalist Saša Lošić "Loša", guitarist Srđan Krošnjar, bass guitarist Gordan Džamonja and drummer Admir Ćeremida "Ćera II". In 1983, the four were joined by experienced guitarist Mladen Pavičić "Pava". The band got a steady lineup in late 1983, with the departure of Krošnjar and Džamonja and the arrival of Admir Ćeremida's twin brother, bass guitarist Samir Ćeremida "Ćera I". In the early stage of their career, Plavi Orkestar were associated with the New Primitivism subcultural movement, but turned towards more commercial folk-influenced pop rock sound with their debut Soldatski bal. The album, released in 1985, became one of the best-selling records in the history of Yugoslav popular music and the band members rose to the status of teen stars, despite mixed reactions coming from the Yugoslav music critics. On their following album, Smrt fašizmu!, the band, influenced by their manager and promoter , presented themselves with the concept named New Partisans, featuring lyrics and imagery inspired by Yugoslav Partisans and Yugoslavism. The album was generally disliked by the critics and alienated the band from a large part of their teenage fans, the members deciding to make a discographic hiatus after its release. With the album Sunce na prozoru, released in 1989, the band turned to sentimental pop rock sound. Despite not repeating the nationwide success of the group's first album, Sunce na prozoru and Simpatija, released in 1991, brought a number of hits. The outbreak of the Bosnian War forced the band members to end their activity in 1992. In 1998, Lošić and Ćeremida brothers reunited in Slovenia with new guitarist Saša Zalepugin, making a highly successful comeback with the album Longplay. The band had released two studio albums since, maintaining large popularity in all former Yugoslav republics. In 2025, the default lineup, featuring Lošić, Pavičić and Ćeremida brothers, reunited for the first time since 1992.

History

The beginnings, formation of the steady lineup (1981–1983)

In 1981, sixteen-year-old Saša Lošić "Loša", a gymnasium student from Sarajevo, started a band called Ševin Orkestar (The Lark's Orchestra). The band also featured guitarist Srđan Krošnjar, bass guitarist Gordan Džamonja and drummer Admir Ćeremida. The following year, the four teenagers changed their name to Plavi Orkestar. the peak of their run was appearing as one of the opening acts at Bijelo Dugme's Rock spektakl '79 open-air event at JNA Stadium in Belgrade in September 1979. However, soon all four were drafted to serve their mandatory stints in the Yugoslav People's Army, and the plans for their debut release had to be postponed. The members of Plavi Orkestar soon became nationwide teen stars. The promotional performances were marked by the band's carefully molded image – in public Lošić always wore his cap, and the members wore sneakers with untied shoelaces, with—as they later explained—the goal of provoking unconscious protective urges with their female fans. After the performance, the band continued their debut album promotional tour, entitled "Bolje biti pijan nego star" after the album's biggest hit. Several days after the Belgrade concert, Plavi Orkestar performed at the alternative festival Novi Rock (New Rock) in Ljubljana, the performance being followed by several incidents. Other guests included composer and musician Alfi Kabiljo, violinist Jovan Kolundžija, folk singer Usnija Redžepova, sister singers Izolda and Eleonora Barudžija, drummer Điđi Jankelić (on percussion), klapa Šibenik, members of Culture and Arts Society Linđo from Dubrovnik, and choir of Zagreb's Saint Joseph's Church. The concept of Smrt fašizmu! was conceived by the group's manager Malkolm Muharem, who found inspiration in the Neue Slowenische Kunst movement, and described the new phase in Plavi Orkestar's work as "Bosnian art experiment". Part of the press described the New Partisans concept as "quasi-revolutionary", accusing Bregović, Lošić and Merlin leader Edin "Dino" Dervišhalidović of exploiting the imagery of National Liberation Struggle for popularity and financial gain. In early 1992, they performed on peace concerts in Sarajevo, Konjic, Mostar, Banja Luka and Trebinje. The band released their comeback album entitled Longplay in the spring of 1998, with the album title alluding to the fact that all the members of the band were 33 years old at the time of the album release. The band had their first performance since 2019 on Lent Festival in Maribor, on 27 June 2024.

Default lineup reunion (2025–present)

In October 2024, it was announced that the band's default lineup, featuring Lošić, Ćeremida brothers and Mladen Pavičić, would reunite 33 years after the Yugoslav Wars forced them to split up. The default lineup had their first performance since 1992 on 2025 Valentine's Day in Arena Zagreb.

Legacy

Plavi Orkestar song "Sava tiho teče" was covered by Croatian dance group Karma on their 2002 album Zavrti život (Spin Your Life). "Bolje biti pijan nego star" was covered by Bosnian and Yugoslav rock band Teška Industrija on their 2011 album Bili smo raja (We Were Friends). The song "Ti si moja sudbina" ("You're My Destiny") was covered by Serbian pop band The Frajle on their 2019 cover album Obraduj Me (Make Me Joyful).

In 2015, Soldatski bal was polled No.97 on the list of 100 Greatest Yugoslav Albums published by the Croatian edition of Rolling Stone.

In 2000, "Bolje biti pijan nego star" was polled No.75 on the Rock Express Top 100 Yugoslav Rock Songs of All Times list. In 2006, "Goodbye Teens" was polled No.97 on the B92 Top 100 Domestic Songs list.

Members

;Current members

  • Saša Lošić "Loša" – vocals, guitar (1982–1992, 1998–present)
  • Admir Ćeremida "Ćera II" – drums (1982–1992, 1998–present)
  • Samir Ćeremida "Ćera I" – bass guitar (1983–1992, 1998–present)
  • Saša Zalepugin – guitar (1998–present)

;Former members

  • Srđan Krošnjar – guitar (1982–1983)
  • Gordan Džamonja – bass guitar (1982–1983)
  • Mladen Pavičić – guitar (1982–1992)

Discography

Plavi Orkestar have released seven studio albums, 12 singles and 7 compilations.

Studio albums

  • Soldatski bal (Jugoton, 1985)
  • Smrt fašizmu! (Jugoton, 1986)
  • Sunce na prozoru (Jugoton, 1989)
  • Simpatija (Diskoton, 1991)
  • Longplay (Nika Records, 1998)
  • Infinity (Nika Records, 1999)
  • Sedam (Dallas Records, 2012)

Compilation albums

  • Everblue 1 (1996)
  • Everblue 2 (1996)
  • The Ultimate Collection (2007)
  • The Platinum Collection (2007)
  • Najlepše ljubavne pesme (2010)
  • Greatest Hits Collection (2016)

See also

  • New Primitives
  • New Partisans

References

  • Official website
  • Plavi Orkestar at Discogs