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Zdravko Čolić

Exploring the enduring legacy of a Balkan music icon through his career, artistry, and cultural impact.

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Profile

A Cultural Icon

Zdravko Čolić, born 30 May 1951, is a highly acclaimed Bosnian-Serbian pop singer and songwriter. Widely regarded as one of the most significant vocalists and enduring cultural icons of the former Yugoslavia, his career began in 1967 and continues to the present day. Music critics and the public alike have favorably compared his expressive tenor voice and charismatic stage presence to international stars like Paul McCartney and Tom Jones.[4][5]

Musical Acclaim

Čolić is celebrated for his numerous critically and commercially successful albums and singles. His ballad "Ti si mi u krvi" (You're In My Blood) is considered one of the most popular ballads in ex-Yugoslav music history.[7] His performances are noted for their emotional depth and engaging stage presence, resonating deeply with audiences across Southeastern Europe.

Pan-Yugoslav Appeal

Throughout his extensive career, Čolić achieved a remarkable level of popularity that transcended regional and ethnic boundaries within the diverse landscape of Yugoslavia. His music, blending pop, disco, and rock influences, captured the hearts of millions, establishing him as a unifying figure in the region's cultural tapestry.

Origins and Early Life

Sarajevo Roots

Zdravko Čolić was born in Sarajevo, Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, FPR Yugoslavia, to Bosnian Serb parents. His father, Vladimir Čolić, was a police administrator, and his mother, Stana Čolić, was a homemaker. Growing up in Sarajevo, he attended local schools and developed an early interest in both sports and music. He was a promising football goalkeeper in FK Željezničar's youth system and also excelled in track and field, competing in the 100-meter dash and long jump.

Musical Inclination

Despite his athletic talents, Čolić eventually stepped away from sports, feeling he lacked the necessary discipline for a professional career. He also attended music school, where he studied guitar. In his youth, he participated in school recitals and even acted in local theatre productions, showcasing an early aptitude for performance beyond just singing.

Early Career Beginnings

First Steps

Čolić's musical journey began with informal performances in local parks with his friend Braco Isović. His first significant public singing engagement was in 1967 at an amateur singing competition in Bijela, Montenegro, where he won second prize performing The Beatles' "Lady Madonna." This early success encouraged him to pursue music more seriously.

Band Formations

After graduating high school in 1969, Čolić joined the band 'Mladi i lijepi'. He soon moved to the more established group Ambasadori, a band with a unique military affiliation. Later, he and bandleader Slobodan Vujović formed Novi ambasadori, expanding their musical repertoire. In 1971, he briefly joined Korni Grupa, a progressive rock band, but found the musical style challenging. His participation with Korni Grupa resulted in a controversial song, "Gospa Mica gazdarica," which was removed from radio playlists.

Festival Success

Čolić's solo career gained momentum through participation in music festivals. In 1972, he won an interpretation award at the Vaš šlager sezone festival in Sarajevo. His victory at the Opatija festival in 1973 with the song "Gori vatra" earned him the opportunity to represent Yugoslavia at the Eurovision Song Contest that year. He continued to achieve success at various festivals, including Hit parada in Belgrade, solidifying his reputation as a rising star.

Ascent to Stardom

Chart Dominance

Čolić's solo career truly took flight with his debut album *Ti i ja* in 1975, which featured hits like "Vagabund" and "Loš vino." His subsequent album, *Ako priđeš bliže* (1977), achieved massive success, selling 50,000 copies in its first two weeks and spawning popular songs such as "Glavo luda" and "Zagrli me." This period marked the beginning of his widespread fame and the phenomenon of "mass hysteria" among his young fans.

The "Traveling Earthquake" Tour

The "Putujući zemljotres" (Traveling Earthquake) tour in 1978, supporting his hit album, became a cultural landmark. The tour culminated in a massive concert at Belgrade's Red Star stadium with an estimated 70,000 attendees. This tour, along with his captivating performances, cemented his status as a national phenomenon, even inspiring a documentary film titled *Pjevam danju, pjevam noću* (I Sing by Day, I Sing by Night).

Sustained Popularity

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Čolić continued to release successful albums and maintain his popularity, adapting his sound while retaining his signature style. Following a hiatus, his 1997 comeback album *Kad bi moja bila* was met with significant acclaim, leading to a series of sold-out concerts. His career has been marked by consistent artistic output and an enduring connection with his audience.

Discography Highlights

Studio Albums

Čolić has released a substantial body of work, including numerous studio albums that have defined his career and influenced popular music in the region. Key albums include:

  • Ti i ja (1975)
  • Ako priđeš bliže (1977)
  • Zbog tebe (1980)
  • Malo pojačaj radio (1981)
  • Šta mi radiš (1983)
  • Ti si mi u krvi (1984)
  • Zdravko Čolić (1988)
  • Da ti kažem šta mi je (1990)
  • Kad bi moja bila (1997)
  • Okano (2000)
  • Čarolija (2003)
  • Zavičaj (2006)
  • Kad pogledaš me preko ramena (2010)
  • Vatra i barut (2013)
  • Ono malo sreće (2017)

Notable Singles

Throughout his career, Čolić has released many impactful singles that became anthems for a generation. Some of his most recognized singles include:

  • "Sinoć nisi bila tu" / "Tako tiho" (1972)
  • "Gori vatra" / "Isti put" (1973)
  • "Ona spava" / "Zaboravi sva proljeća" (1974)
  • "Zvao sam je Emili" / "Sonata" (1975)
  • "April u Beogradu" / "Svitanje" (1975)
  • "Ti si bila, uvijek bila" / "A sad sam ja na redu" (1976)
  • "Glavo luda" (from *Ako priđeš bliže*, 1977)
  • "Ti si mi u krvi" (from *Ti si mi u krvi*, 1984)

Live Performances & Compilations

Čolić's live performances are legendary, often drawing massive crowds. His live albums and extensive compilation releases further underscore his prolific career and the enduring appeal of his music. These releases capture the energy and emotion of his concerts and provide a comprehensive overview of his greatest hits.

Concert Tours

The "Traveling Earthquake" Phenomenon

The "Putujući zemljotres" (Traveling Earthquake) tour in 1978 was a defining moment, showcasing Čolić's immense popularity. The tour's scale and the fervent fan reception, including scenes of mass adoration, highlighted his status as a cultural phenomenon across Yugoslavia. The tour's climax at Belgrade's Red Star stadium drew tens of thousands of fans.

Modern Triumphs

In recent decades, Čolić has continued to embark on highly successful tours, drawing hundreds of thousands of fans. Notable recent tours include the "Okano Tour" (2001-02), "Zavičaj Tour" (2006-09), "Kad pogledaš me preko ramena Tour" (2010-13), and "Vatra i barut Tour" (2014-17). His 2011 concert at Ušće in Belgrade, celebrating his 40-year career, attracted over 100,000 attendees, a testament to his sustained appeal.

Personal Life

Education and Relocation

Zdravko Čolić holds a degree in economics from the University of Sarajevo. During the Bosnian War, he relocated to Belgrade, Serbia, where he has resided since. This move marked a significant personal transition during a turbulent period in the region's history.

Family Life

Čolić is married to Aleksandra Aleksić, whom he wed in 2001. The couple has two daughters. He has often spoken about how his daughters have contributed to his sense of rejuvenation and connection to contemporary life.

References

Source Citations

  1. ^ "When Zdravko used to be Dravco". CDM (in Montenegrin). CDM. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
  2. ^ ZDRAVKO ČOLIĆ 'Od 1985. do 1990. uopće nisam pjevao, a u tom sam periodu samo s jednom osobom iz glazbenog svijeta komunicirao: Arsenom Dedićem'
  3. ^ “ONO MALO SREĆE” ZDRAVKA ČOLIĆA PROGLAŠEN NAJBOLJIM ALBUMOM 2018. GODINE! (in Croatian) - Croatia Records
  4. ^ "RASPITAO SE DIREKT / "Zdravko Čolić s Dubrovnikom će ući u 2024. Svota nastupa je paprena, što kažu građani? 'Neću moć spavati do Nove godine..."". net.hr. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  5. ^ Deliso, Christopher (2009). Culture and customs of Serbia and Montenegro. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press. p. 147. ISBN 9780313344374. OCLC 428980841. "Among them, arguably the most beloved is the Bosnian-born Zdravko Colic (b. 1951). The fifty-seven-year-old singer, who started out as a balladeer in the early 1970s, could perhaps best be described as Serbia's version of Tom Jones."
  6. ^ Zdravko Čolić u varaždinskoj Areni: Karte su u prodaj, a dobra zabava zagarantirana!
  7. ^ "Otkrivamo vam kako je nastao legendarni hit 'Ti si mi u krvi'". 24sata.hr. 3 February 2016.
  8. ^ "Zdravko Čolić: Razvijao sam glas pjevajući gangu u rodnoj Hercegovini". vrisak.info (in Croatian). 14 October 2018. Archived from the original on 7 November 2019. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
  9. ^ "Zdravko Čolić". story.rs. 2014. Archived from the original on 22 October 2013. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  10. ^ F., G. (19 July 2021). "Nenade, bolje ti je da skačeš! Stekić zbog Zdravka Čolića ostavio pevanje i postao legenda". 24sedam.rs (in Serbian). Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  11. ^ "Prvi nastup, honorar i prva ljubav Zdravka Čolića u Herceg Novom". RadioJadran.com. 30 January 2019. Archived from the original on 12 August 2021. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
  12. ^ "YouTube". YouTube. Archived from the original on 17 April 2016. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  13. ^ Čulić, Ilko. "Tržište na dnu! Ne mogu ga spasiti ni Thompson i cajke". Express. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  14. ^ Petar Peca Popović (10 September 2016). "Sa njim to traje dugo: Pre tačno 45 godina Zdravko Čolić je prvi put stigao u Beograd". Blic. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  15. ^ "MAJSTORI SINHRONIZACIJE: Ko se krije iza Duška Dugouška, Šilje, Popaja, Sunđera Boba? (FOTO) (VIDEO)". telegraf.rs. 30 June 2013.
  16. ^ "Biografija Zdravko Čolić" (in Serbian). Puls. Archived from the original on 5 July 2014. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  17. ^ "Interview with Zdravko Čolić". Slobodna Dalmacija (in Croatian). 26 April 2007. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
  18. ^ "Excerpt from video interview with Zdravko Čolić". Retrieved 19 November 2024.
  19. ^ "Zdravko Čolić". nadlanu. 19 August 2013. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  20. ^ Peddie, Ian (2011). Popular Music and Human Rights. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. pp. 1–. ISBN 978-1-4094-3758-1. "Meanwhile, big Serbian (or former Bosnian) stars like Ceca, Zdravko Colic,"
  21. ^ Mursic, Rajko (2012). "Yugoslav and Post-Yugoslav Encounters with Popular Music and Human Rights". In Peddie, Ian (ed.). Popular music and human rights. Vol. II: World Music. pp. 91–104. ISBN 978-1-4094-3757-4. OCLC 852716225.

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References

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