Siluete
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Siluete ( sr-cyr, Силуете, trans. ''The Silhouettes'') were a Serbian and Yugoslav rock band formed in
Belgrade Belgrade ( , ;, ; Names of European cities in different languages: B, names in other languages) is the Capital city, capital and List of cities in Serbia, largest city in Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers a ...
in 1961. They were one of the pioneers of the
Yugoslav rock scene Popular music in Yugoslavia includes the pop and rock music of the former SFR Yugoslavia, including all their genres and subgenres. The scene included the constituent republics: SR Slovenia, SR Croatia, SR Bosnia and Herzegovina, SR Montenegr ...
. Soon after the formation, Siluete, fronted by charismatic vocalist Zoran Miščević, gained the attention of the audience with their live performances. In 1963 the original members of the band departed, a part of the original lineup continuing with new members as
The Shadows The Shadows (originally known as the Drifters) were an English instrumental rock group, who dominated the British popular music charts in the late 1950s and early 1960s, in the pre- Beatles era. They served as the backing band for Cliff Richard ...
-inspired
instrumental An instrumental is a recording normally without any vocals, although it might include some inarticulate vocals, such as shouted backup vocals in a big band setting. Through semantic widening, a broader sense of the word song may refer to instru ...
band, and later performing with vocalist
Tomi Sovilj Tomi may refer to: * Constanța, a city in Romania, also known as Tomis or Tomi * Tomi, Okayama, a village in Japan * Tōmi, Nagano, a city in Japan * Tomi (name), a given name (including a list of people with the name) * Tomi Village, a fictional ...
. In 1964 Miščević returned to Siluete, and the band soon gained nationwide fame thanks to their energetic and sometimes transgressive live performances. During the 1960s they were one of the most popular Yugoslav rock bands, Miščević becoming the first
superstar A superstar is someone who has great popular appeal and is widely known, prominent, or successful in their field. Celebrities referred to as "superstars" may include individuals who work as actors, musicians, athletes, and other media-based profe ...
of the Yugoslav rock scene. The Yugoslav press compared their rivalry with the band
Elipse Elipse ( sr-Cyrl, Елипсе; trans. ''The Ellipses'') were a Yugoslav rock band formed in Belgrade in 1962. The band were one of the pioneers of the Yugoslav rock scene. Elipse initially performed beat music and rhythm and blues. With the a ...
(whose keyboardist
Zoran Simjanović Zoran Simjanović (; 11 May 1946 – 11 April 2021) was a Serbian and Yugoslav musician, composer and music educator. Simjanović started his career in 1961, as the keyboardist for the rock band Siluete. In 1962, he moved to the band Elipse, wi ...
was one of the forming members of Siluete) to the one between
The Rolling Stones The Rolling Stones are an English rock band formed in London in 1962. Active for six decades, they are one of the most popular and enduring bands of the rock era. In the early 1960s, the Rolling Stones pioneered the gritty, rhythmically d ...
and
The Beatles The Beatles were an English Rock music, rock band, formed in Liverpool in 1960, that comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are regarded as the Cultural impact of the Beatles, most influential band of al ...
. In the late 1960s the band performed abroad, trying to secure a contract with a foreign record label and, after failing to do so, disbanded in 1971. Miščević reformed Siluete in the mid-1970s and continued to lead them through the following years. A number of musicians passed through the band, with Mišćević and keyboardist Ljuba Đorđević being the only mainstay members. The band held numerous performances in the late 1970s and the 1980s, but enjoyed little media attention and popularity. Miščević died in 1995, Siluete thus ending their activity.


History


1961–1971

Siluete were officially formed on October 20, 1961, by Zoran Miščević (vocals and bass guitar), Branko Gluščević (formerly of the combo Black Cats, rhythm guitar), Ilija Stanić (guitar),
Zoran Simjanović Zoran Simjanović (; 11 May 1946 – 11 April 2021) was a Serbian and Yugoslav musician, composer and music educator. Simjanović started his career in 1961, as the keyboardist for the rock band Siluete. In 1962, he moved to the band Elipse, wi ...
(keyboards) and Jovan "Miške" Mišević (drums). The band members, influenced by the film '' The Young Ones'' and the film appearance of
Cliff Richard Sir Cliff Richard (born Harry Rodger Webb; 14 October 1940) is an Indian-born British musican, singer, producer, entrepreneur and philanthropist who holds both British and Barbadian citizenship. He has total sales of over 21.5 million s ...
and
The Shadows The Shadows (originally known as the Drifters) were an English instrumental rock group, who dominated the British popular music charts in the late 1950s and early 1960s, in the pre- Beatles era. They served as the backing band for Cliff Richard ...
, decided to name the band Siluete, after Gluščević's idea. The band had their first performance on a school dance in Belgrade Economy School, which was followed by performances on numerous dances, in the café at the Tašmajdan Park and in the club Euridika. Mišević was soon replaced by more experienced Miroslav "Mine" Minić. At the beginning of 1962, the band had their first appearance in front of larger crowd, on a concert of popular singer
Đorđe Marjanović Đorđe Marjanović ( sr-Cyr, Ђорђе Марјановић; 30 October 1931 – 15 May 2021) was a Serbian and Yugoslav singer. Marjanović began his career in the mid-1950s, rising to fame in the late 1950s with his theatrical on-stage per ...
, held in Belgrade's Trade Union Hall. Siluete appeared on stage to perform as Marjanović's backing band on the songs " My Girl Josephine" and " Peppermint Twist". During 1962 they actively performed on dances and even in the club Orfeum as a part of the club's
cabaret Cabaret is a form of theatrical entertainment featuring music, song, dance, recitation, or drama. The performance venue might be a pub, a casino, a hotel, a restaurant, or a nightclub with a stage for performances. The audience, often dining or d ...
program. For a short period of time percussionist Gvozden Eror performed with them. After performances in
Makarska Makarska (; it, Macarsca, ; german: Macharscha) is a town on the Adriatic coastline of Croatia, about southeast of Split (city), Split and northwest of Dubrovnik, in the Split-Dalmatia County. Makarska is a prominent regional tourist center, ...
and
Dubrovnik Dubrovnik (), historically known as Ragusa (; see notes on naming), is a city on the Adriatic Sea in the region of Dalmatia, in the southeastern semi-exclave of Croatia. It is one of the most prominent tourist destinations in the Mediterran ...
during the summer of 1963, the forming members of Siluete departed. Simjanović moved to
Elipse Elipse ( sr-Cyrl, Елипсе; trans. ''The Ellipses'') were a Yugoslav rock band formed in Belgrade in 1962. The band were one of the pioneers of the Yugoslav rock scene. Elipse initially performed beat music and rhythm and blues. With the a ...
, Miščević, Gluščević and Minić formed Lutalice (''The Wanderers'') with guitarist Božidar "Lari" Plesničar and rhythm guitarist Slobodan Mihajlović, and Ilić continued to lead Siluete in the new lineup: Dejan Dunjić (bass guitar), Jovan Mišević (drums), Miomir "Kraka" Petrović (formerly of Safiri, rhythm guitar) and Ljuba Đorđević (keyboards). This lineup of the band performed The Shadows-influenced instrumental music. On one of their performances they were approached by singer Tomislav "Tomi" Sovilj (formerly of
Zlatni Dečaci Zlatni Dečaci (Serbian Cyrillic: Златни Дечаци, trans. ''The Golden Boys'') were a Yugoslav rock band formed in Belgrade in 1962. The band were one of the pioneers of the Yugoslav rock scene. At the beginning of their career the ba ...
), who suggested they work together, so he became the band's new singer. As Lutalice disbanded in 1964, Miščević moved back to Siluete. However, Siluete still had a contract with Sovilj, so for a short period of time they performed with two singers: Sovilj would perform in the first part of concerts and Miščević in the second. After a year spent in Siluete, Sovilj left the band, Siluete continuing with Miščević as the sole vocalist. The new lineup had their first large performance in the Vuk Karadžić Cultural Centre, on the concert entitled "Koncert za karikaturu i tvist" ("A Concert for
Caricature A caricature is a rendered image showing the features of its subject in a simplified or exaggerated way through sketching, pencil strokes, or other artistic drawings (compare to: cartoon). Caricatures can be either insulting or complimentary, a ...
and
Twist Twist may refer to: In arts and entertainment Film, television, and stage * ''Twist'' (2003 film), a 2003 independent film loosely based on Charles Dickens's novel ''Oliver Twist'' * ''Twist'' (2021 film), a 2021 modern rendition of ''Olive ...
), organized by the satirical magazine ''Jež'' (''Hedgehog''). The band played numerous concerts in the club Euridika, the café in the Tašmajdan Park, the City Basement dancing hall and Belgrade Youth Center. On October 14, 1964, they appeared, alongside Faraoni,
Elipse Elipse ( sr-Cyrl, Елипсе; trans. ''The Ellipses'') were a Yugoslav rock band formed in Belgrade in 1962. The band were one of the pioneers of the Yugoslav rock scene. Elipse initially performed beat music and rhythm and blues. With the a ...
, Detlići and
Crveni Koralji Crveni Koralji (trans. ''The Red Corals'') were a Croatian and Yugoslav rock band formed in Zagreb in 1962. They were one of the pioneers of the Yugoslav rock scene. Crveni Koralji were initially inspired by Cliff Richard and the Shadows, but so ...
, on the '' Vatromet ritma'' (''Fireworks of Rhythm'') festival in
Novi Sad Novi Sad ( sr-Cyrl, Нови Сад, ; hu, Újvidék, ; german: Neusatz; see below for other names) is the second largest city in Serbia and the capital of the autonomous province of Vojvodina. It is located in the southern portion of the Pan ...
. The bands that performed were chosen via poll conducted by the music magazine '' Ritam''. This concert was a part of ''Parada ritma'' (''Parade of Rhythm'') concert series, arguably the first rock festival in a communist country. In mid-1964, Tomi Sovilj formed his own Siluete, but the members of the original Siluete filed a lawsuit against him, so Sovilj continued to perform with his band under the name Tomi Sovilj i Njegove Siluete (''Tomi Sovilj and His Silhouettes''). During 1965 Siluete shocked the Yugoslav public with their energetic live performances and their appearance, which secured them with huge popularity. At the time there were around 230 rock bands in
Belgrade Belgrade ( , ;, ; Names of European cities in different languages: B, names in other languages) is the Capital city, capital and List of cities in Serbia, largest city in Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers a ...
, but most of them had short hair and tidy clothes, which were the standards Siluete changed. In 1965 the band performed on the ''Parada ritma'' festival held in Hall 3 of the Belgrade Fair in front of some 3,500 people. Siluete performed in the competitive part of the program alongside
Plamenih 5 Plamenih 5 ( sr-Cyrl, Пламених 5, trans. ''The Flaming 5'') were a Yugoslav rock band formed in Belgrade in 1964. Despite having no official releases, the band are notable as one of the pioneers of the Yugoslav rock scene. History 1964 ...
,
Sanjalice Sanjalice ( sr-Cyrl, Сањалице, trans. ''The Dreamers'') were a Yugoslav rock band formed in Belgrade in 1964. Sanjalice are notable for being one of the pioneers of the Yugoslav rock scene, as well as one of the first Yugoslav all-femal ...
, Juniori, Plavi Dečaci and
Elipse Elipse ( sr-Cyrl, Елипсе; trans. ''The Ellipses'') were a Yugoslav rock band formed in Belgrade in 1962. The band were one of the pioneers of the Yugoslav rock scene. Elipse initially performed beat music and rhythm and blues. With the a ...
and were proclaimed the Best Band. In 1965 the band appeared in Branko Bauer's film ''Doći i ostati'' (''To Come and to Stay''). At the first edition of the Belgrade Gitarijada festival, held on January 9, 1966, at
Belgrade Fair – Hall 1 The Belgrade Fair – Hall 1, is Belgrade Fair's largest exhibition space. The hall opened to the public in 1957. It was the world's largest dome between 1957 and 1965 and is Europe's largest dome. Construction The Hall 1 is constructed betwe ...
, Siluete performed with other popular rock bands. They were proclaimed the second best band (behind Elipse) by the jury, but were voted the Best Band by the audience. On the festival debuted the band's new guitarist
Dragi Jelić Dragi Jelić ( sr-Cyrl, Драги Јелић; born 17 May 1947) is a Serbian rock musician. He is best known as the singer and guitarist for the Serbian rock band YU Grupa, which he formed in 1970 with his older brother Žika. During the 1960 ...
, formerly of the band Beduini (''The
Bedouins The Bedouin, Beduin, or Bedu (; , singular ) are nomadic Arabs, Arab tribes who have historically inhabited the desert regions in the Arabian Peninsula, North Africa, the Levant, and Mesopotamia. The Bedouin originated in the Syrian Desert ...
''). As all the members of the band except Jelić had long hair, he appeared on the stage wearing a wig. During the year the band had more than 80 concerts across Yugoslavia, often performing large venues. In Skopje they performed during pouring rain in front of about 6,000 people. During 1966 they often performed in Belgrade and
Zagreb Zagreb ( , , , ) is the capital (political), capital and List of cities and towns in Croatia#List of cities and towns, largest city of Croatia. It is in the Northern Croatia, northwest of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slop ...
at the exhibitions of painter
Olja Ivanjicki Olja (Olga) Ivanjicki ( sr-cyr, Оља Ивањицки; 10 May 1931, in Pančevo – 24 June 2009, in Belgrade) was a Serbian painter, sculptor and poet. Life, work and awards Olga Ivanjicki, the daughter of Russian emigrants was born in Pan ...
. In 1966 they also appeared in Sava Popović's short film ''Rapsodija u crnom'' (''Rhapsody in Black''). In 1966 Siluete released their first EP, ''Tvoj rođendan'' (''Your Birthday''). Besides the title track, which was a cover of Small Faces song " Sha-La-La-La-Lee", the EP featured the songs "Najdraži san" ("The Dearest Dream", a cover of
The Searchers ''The Searchers'' is a 1956 American Technicolor VistaVision epic Western film directed by John Ford and written by Frank S. Nugent, based on the 1954 novel by Alan Le May. It is set during the Texas-Native American wars, and stars John Wa ...
song "
When You Walk in the Room "When You Walk in the Room" is a song written and recorded by Jackie DeShannon. It was initially released as a single on November 23, 1963, as the B-side to "Till You Say You'll Be Mine". It was re-released as an A-side in September 1964, and lat ...
"), "Keti" ("Cathy") and "Uhvati vetar" ("Catch the Wind", a cover of
Donovan Donovan Phillips Leitch (born 10 May 1946), known mononymously as Donovan, is a Scottish musician, songwriter, and record producer. He developed an eclectic and distinctive style that blended folk, jazz, pop, psychedelic rock and world mus ...
's " Catch the Wind"). All the lyrics were written by Miomir Petrović. The release was disliked by the press, and the band members themselves stated that the songs were recorded hastily and that they are not satisfied with the EP. However, ''Tvoj rođendan'' was sold more in than 60,000 copies. In 1967 the band released two more EPs. The first one was entitled ''Dona''. Beside the title track, which was a cover of Ritchie Valens song "
Donna Donna may refer to the short form of the honorific ''nobildonna'', the female form of Don (honorific) in Italian. People *Donna (given name); includes name origin and list of people and characters with the name * Roberto Di Donna (born 1968), Ita ...
", the EP featured the songs "Noć za ljubav" ("A Night for Love", a cover of The Troggs song " With a Girl Like You"), "Moj srećan dom" ("My Happy Home", a cover of
Stonewall Jackson Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson (January 21, 1824 – May 10, 1863) was a Confederate general during the American Civil War, considered one of the best-known Confederate commanders, after Robert E. Lee. He played a prominent role in nearl ...
song " I Washed My Hands in Muddy Water") and "Uzmi ili ostavi" ("Take It or Leave It", a cover of
The Rolling Stones The Rolling Stones are an English rock band formed in London in 1962. Active for six decades, they are one of the most popular and enduring bands of the rock era. In the early 1960s, the Rolling Stones pioneered the gritty, rhythmically d ...
' " Take It or Leave It"). The second EP was entitled ''Kišu sam tražio'' (''I Asked for Rain''). This was the band's first release to feature their own songs, the title track and the song "Raskid" ("Breakup"), both of them written by Dunjić. The other two songs on the EP were "Voleti nekog" ("To Love Somebody", a cover of the
Bee Gees The Bee Gees were a musical group formed in 1958 by brothers Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb. The trio were especially successful in popular music in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and later as prominent performers in the disco music era in ...
' " To Love Somebody") and "Plakaću sutra" ("I'll Cry Tomorrow", a cover of The Searchers' "I'll Cry Tomorrow"). The releases brought them new attention of the media, which started promoting rivalry between Silute and
Elipse Elipse ( sr-Cyrl, Елипсе; trans. ''The Ellipses'') were a Yugoslav rock band formed in Belgrade in 1962. The band were one of the pioneers of the Yugoslav rock scene. Elipse initially performed beat music and rhythm and blues. With the a ...
, comparing it to the one between
The Rolling Stones The Rolling Stones are an English rock band formed in London in 1962. Active for six decades, they are one of the most popular and enduring bands of the rock era. In the early 1960s, the Rolling Stones pioneered the gritty, rhythmically d ...
and
The Beatles The Beatles were an English Rock music, rock band, formed in Liverpool in 1960, that comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are regarded as the Cultural impact of the Beatles, most influential band of al ...
, Elipse usually being proclaimed more competent musicians and Siluete better showmen. In 1967 both bands performed as the opening acts on
The Searchers ''The Searchers'' is a 1956 American Technicolor VistaVision epic Western film directed by John Ford and written by Frank S. Nugent, based on the 1954 novel by Alan Le May. It is set during the Texas-Native American wars, and stars John Wa ...
concerts in
Belgrade Belgrade ( , ;, ; Names of European cities in different languages: B, names in other languages) is the Capital city, capital and List of cities in Serbia, largest city in Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers a ...
and
Zrenjanin Zrenjanin ( sr-Cyrl, Зрењанин, ; hu, Nagybecskerek; ro, Becicherecu Mare; sk, Zreňanin; german: Großbetschkerek) is a List of cities in Serbia, city and the administrative center of the Central Banat District in the autonomous pro ...
. During the year Siluete won the first place on the second edition of Gitarijada festival. They appeared in TV show ''Koncert za ludi mladi svet'' (''A Concert for Young Crazy World'') with the songs " I'm a Man" and "
Massachusetts Massachusetts (Massachusett language, Massachusett: ''Muhsachuweesut assachusett writing systems, məhswatʃəwiːsət'' English: , ), officially the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is the most populous U.S. state, state in the New England ...
", the videos for which were shot in the
Wild West The American frontier, also known as the Old West or the Wild West, encompasses the geography, history, folklore, and culture associated with the forward wave of American expansion in mainland North America that began with European colonial ...
town settings in the
Avala Film Avala Film ( sr-cyr, Aвала филм) is a Serbian film studio, founded in 1946 as the first studio founded in post-war Yugoslavia. It is currently declared bankrupt. Overview In June 1946, the government of the Socialist Federal Republic of Y ...
Studios. In 1967
Srđan Karanović Srđan Karanović ( sr-Cyrl, Срђан Карановић, , born 17 November 1945) is a Serbian film director and screenwriter. He has directed 17 films since 1968. His film '' Miris poljskog cveća'' won the FIPRESCI prize at the 1978 Can ...
, at the time a film direction student, made a television movie about the band, entitled ''Učio sam dve godine kontrabas'' (''I Learned to Play Bass for Two Years''), and the band also appeared in the TV series ''Krug dvojkom'' (''A Round by Streetcar No. 2'') as cavemen creating music by using bones. In 1967 they were voted the best Yugoslav band by the readers of the youth magazine ''Mladost'' (''Youth''). The band appeared on front covers of various magazines and Miščević's long blond hair caused numerous scandals. There were several attempts by citizens of Belgrade to cut his hair, so he got the media's attention by trying to
insure Insurance is a means of protection from financial loss in which, in exchange for a fee, a party agrees to compensate another party in the event of a certain loss, damage, or injury. It is a form of risk management, primarily used to hedge ...
his hair. He provoked the conservative public by posing for photographers under a hooded dryer and stating that the band modeled their image after
Mona Lisa The ''Mona Lisa'' ( ; it, Gioconda or ; french: Joconde ) is a half-length portrait painting by Italian artist Leonardo da Vinci. Considered an archetypal masterpiece of the Italian Renaissance, it has been described as "the best known ...
, by wearing excessive jewellery and stating that his only mistake was not being born in the age of
Romulus and Remus In Roman mythology, Romulus and Remus (, ) are twin brothers whose story tells of the events that led to the founding of the city of Rome and the Roman Kingdom by Romulus, following his fratricide of Remus. The image of a she-wolf suckling the ...
. Prior to a concert in Zagreb Miščević announced that he would kill twenty chickens on stage, and on a concert in
Niš Niš (; sr-Cyrl, Ниш, ; names in other languages) is the third largest city in Serbia and the administrative center of the Nišava District. It is located in southern part of Serbia. , the city proper has a population of 183,164, while ...
he provoked audience to trow rotten fruit on stage. On some of the concerts Miščević organized dancing competitions for girls from the audience, with the first prize being a week of dating him, the second prize three days of dating him and the third prize a date with him. He started receiving hundreds of fan letters, becoming the first Yugoslav
superstar A superstar is someone who has great popular appeal and is widely known, prominent, or successful in their field. Celebrities referred to as "superstars" may include individuals who work as actors, musicians, athletes, and other media-based profe ...
since singer
Đorđe Marjanović Đorđe Marjanović ( sr-Cyr, Ђорђе Марјановић; 30 October 1931 – 15 May 2021) was a Serbian and Yugoslav singer. Marjanović began his career in the mid-1950s, rising to fame in the late 1950s with his theatrical on-stage per ...
, and young people across Yugoslavia sprayed the band's name on walls. However, a part of the press criticized the band for dedicating most of their attenttion to their appearance and not making any efforts to improve their musical skills and sound. Encouraged by the success in Yugoslavia, the band decided to try to break into the foreign market, for months they performing in
Austria Austria, , bar, Östareich officially the Republic of Austria, is a country in the southern part of Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. It is a federation of nine states, one of which is the capital, Vienna, the most populous ...
and
West Germany West Germany is the colloquial term used to indicate the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG; german: Bundesrepublik Deutschland , BRD) between its formation on 23 May 1949 and the German reunification through the accession of East Germany on 3 O ...
. In Vienna they performed in the clubs Chattanooga and Star Club. The Austrian newspaper ''
Kurier ''Kurier'' is a German-language daily newspaper based in Vienna, Austria. History and profile ''Kurier'' was founded as ''Wiener Kurier'' by the United States Forces in Austria (USFA) in 1945, during the Allied occupation after World War II. ...
'' wrote about their performances describing them as "descendants of
hajduk A hajduk ( hu, hajdúk, plural of ) is a type of irregular infantry found in Central and parts of Southeast Europe from the late 16th to mid 19th centuries. They have reputations ranging from bandits to freedom fighters depending on time, p ...
s who fought against the Turks". However, the guitarist Dragi Jelić left the band and joined
Džentlmeni Džentlmeni ( sr-Cyrl, Џентлмени, lit=The Gentlemen) were a Yugoslav rock band formed in Belgrade in 1966. A year after the formation, the band split into two factions. The first faction featured original rhythm guitarist Milan Buza, a ...
(later forming highly successful
YU Grupa YU Grupa (trans. '' YU Group'') is a Serbian (former Yugoslav) rock band. A pioneer in combining rock music with the elements of the traditional music of the Balkans, YU Grupa is credited with being the longest-lasting Serbian rock band.
with his brother Žika Jelić). Jelić was replaced by a former Džentlmeni member Slobodan Todorović. During one of their absences from Yugoslavia some Yugoslav newspapers published the rumor that Siluete performed at a graveyard in
Nuremberg Nuremberg ( ; german: link=no, Nürnberg ; in the local East Franconian dialect: ''Nämberch'' ) is the second-largest city of the German state of Bavaria after its capital Munich, and its 518,370 (2019) inhabitants make it the 14th-largest ...
. After their efforts to gain success abroad failed, the band decided to dedicate themselves to their status on the Yugoslav scene. They organized a comeback concert in Belgrade Youth Center, which featured
Džentlmeni Džentlmeni ( sr-Cyrl, Џентлмени, lit=The Gentlemen) were a Yugoslav rock band formed in Belgrade in 1966. A year after the formation, the band split into two factions. The first faction featured original rhythm guitarist Milan Buza, a ...
as the opening band and a guest appearance by the
jazz ballet Lyrical dance is a dance style that embodies various aspects of ballet, jazz, acrobatics, and modern dance. The style combines ballet technique with the freedom and musicality of jazz and contemporary. According to Jennifer Fisher, lyrical dance ...
group Džezabal (''Jazzabelle''). The press praised the performance and the fact the band started dedicating more attention to their musicianship. After the concert the band went on a Yugoslav tour during which they performed 120 concerts, on which debuted new guitarist Ljubomir Sedlar, formerly of the band Vizije (''The Visions''). A part of the tour was a twenty-three-hour concert held on New Year's Eve in Belgrade Youth Center. In January 1968, at their concert in
Sarajevo Sarajevo ( ; cyrl, Сарајево, ; ''see Names of European cities in different languages (Q–T)#S, names in other languages'') is the Capital city, capital and largest city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a population of 275,524 in its a ...
, a riot broke out. A large number of chairs was broken, Miščević's shirt was ripped off and his gold necklace was split, Ljuba Đorđević was hit on the head with a bottle and their manager's wallet was stolen. At the Siluete concert in
Novi Sad Novi Sad ( sr-Cyrl, Нови Сад, ; hu, Újvidék, ; german: Neusatz; see below for other names) is the second largest city in Serbia and the capital of the autonomous province of Vojvodina. It is located in the southern portion of the Pan ...
the band members broke their guitars, got in a fight with the audience and the band's van was by damaged by the mob. The band spent the summer of 1968 performing in Belgrade, playing four times a week in the Rade Končar School yard. In 1969 Dunjić left the band and moved to London. He was replaced by bass guitarist and painter Aleksandar Cvetković. After releasing the single with the songs "Sećanje na Keti" ("Memory of Cathy") and "Dosadan dan" ("Boring Day"), they started performing in clubs all over Europe, once again trying to secure a contract with a foreign record label, but after failing to do so they split-up. The members of the band returned to Yugoslavia, Cvetković joining the band CD, with only Miščević staying in West Germany. He spent two more years there, performing with an Italian band. After returning to Yugoslavia in 1973 he performed with various bands, including the band Formula Ljubavi (''Formula of Love'') from Inđija, making an appearance on their 1973 7" single "Banane" / "Reka suza" ("Bananas" / "River of Tears"), before he decided to retire from the scene.


1975–1995

In 1975 Miščević decided to reform Siluete. The new lineup featured, beside Miščević, only one former Siluete member, Ljuba Đorđević (keyboards). The rest of the lineup consisted of Slobodan "Boba" Orlić (formerly of Bitnici, bass guitar) Dragan Vukelić (electric piano) and Radomir Dramičanin (formerly of Dah, drums). Siluete went on a tour on which Miščević appeared on stage with a snake, but they saw little success and disbanded once again. In 1976 Miščević and Đorđević reformed Siluete with a group of younger musicians. This lineup recorded the singles "Ponoćni voz" ("Midnight Train") and "Makedonsko devojče" ("
Macedonian Macedonian most often refers to someone or something from or related to Macedonia. Macedonian(s) may specifically refer to: People Modern * Macedonians (ethnic group), a nation and a South Slavic ethnic group primarily associated with North M ...
Girl"), the latter with former
Miss Yugoslavia Miss Yugoslavia (named Miss Serbia and Montenegro between 2003 and 2006) was the national beauty pageant of Yugoslavia, held since 1927 in Kingdom of Yugoslavia up to the breakup of Serbia and Montenegro (FR Yugoslavia) in 2006. It was organized b ...
Lidija Vekovska. During the following years Miščević led Siluete with little success. The new musical trends pushed Siluete to the margin of the Yugoslav scene. The band usually performed smaller venues and saw little media attention. However, they did appear on several large festivals, on which the band would usually perform a cover of
Bijelo Dugme Bijelo Dugme (trans. ''White Button'') was a Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Yugoslav rock music, rock band, formed in Sarajevo, Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, SR Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1974. Bijelo Dugme is widely co ...
's hit "Kad bi bio bijelo dugme" ("If I Were a White Button"), with altered lyrics including the verses "Dok su bile Siluete / Dugmići su bili malo dete" ("While Silhouettes were playing / the Buttons were just kids"). Siluete would appear on Bijelo Dugme's 1979 concert at JNA Stadium as one of the opening bands. More than 180 musicians passed through Siluete, with Miščević and Đorđević being the only mainstay members of the band. Đorđević died in 1986, but Miščević decided to continue the band's activity. In 1994, a various artists compilation album '' Sjaj izgubljene ljubavi: Muzika šezdesetih'' (''Shine of the Lost Love: Music of the 1960s''), a part of the '' YU retROCKspektiva'' (''YU retROCKspektive'') album series, was released, featuring Siluete song "Tvoj rođendan". Zoran Miščević died on April 4, 1995, Siluete thus ending their activity.


Post 1995

In 2000 the compilation album ''VIS Siluete'' (''VIS'' being an abbreviation for ''Vokalno-instrumentalni sastav'', trans. ''Vocal-instrumental ensemble''), with an overview of the band's work, was released. The songs "Tvoj rođendan", "Uhvati vetar" and the previously unreleased instrumental "Tema Silueta" ("Siluete's Theme") was published on the
box set A box set or (its original name) boxed set is a set of items (for example, a compilation of books, musical recordings, films or television programs) traditionally packaged in a box and offered for sale as a single unit. Music Artists and bands ...
''Kad je rock bio mlad – Priče sa istočne strane (1956–1970)'' (''When Rock Was Young – East Side Stories (1956–1970)''), released by Croatia Records in 2005 and featuring songs by the pioneering Yugoslav rock acts. "Tema Silueta" was recorded in 1962, on a rehearsal in Gvozden Eror's apartment. Siluete former guitarist Miroslav Petrović formed the old city music band Daniluške. He wrote the main theme for Branko Bauer's TV series '' The Farm in the Small Marsh'', appearing in the series in a supporting role. He died at the beginning of the 1990s. Siluete former drummer Miroslav Minić moved to Germany, where he would perform with Belgrade Show Orchestra. In 1971 he moved to
Norway Norway, officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic country in Northern Europe, the mainland territory of which comprises the western and northernmost portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula. The remote Arctic island of Jan Mayen and t ...
. He performed until 1986, when he dedicated himself to fashion design.


Legacy

Miščević was awarded several times for his contribution to Yugoslav music. He was awarded with SR Serbia Seventh of July Award and the First of May Award. The song "Uhvati vetar" was covered by the Yugoslav rock band Jura Stublić & Film on their 1989 album ''Zemlja sreće'' (''Land of Happiness'').


Discography


EPs

*''Tvoj rođendan'' (1966) *''Dona'' (1967) *''Kiša'' (1967)


Compilation albums

*''VIS Siluete'' (2000)


Singles

*"Sećanje na Keti" / "Dosadan dan" (1969) *"Makedonsko devojče" / "The Girls From Macedonia" (1976) *"Ponoćni voz" / "Plačem" (1977)


Other appearances

"Tvoj rođendan" / "Uhvati vetar" / "Tema Silueta" (''Kad je rock bio mlad – Priče sa istočne strane (1956–1970)'', 2005)


References


External links


Siluete at DiscogsSiluete at Last.fm
{{Authority control Serbian rock music groups Serbian rhythm and blues musical groups Yugoslav rock music groups Yugoslav rhythm and blues musical groups Instrumental rock musical groups Beat groups Musical groups from Belgrade Musical groups established in 1961 Musical groups disestablished in 1995 1961 establishments in Yugoslavia 1995 disestablishments in Yugoslavia