Parni Valjak
Parni Valjak is a Croatian and Yugoslav rock band formed in Zagreb in 1975. They were one of the most popular acts of the Yugoslav rock scene, and have maintained large popularity in all former Yugoslav republics after the breakup of the country.
The band was formed by guitarists Husein Hasanefendić "Hus" and Jurica Pađen, vocalist Aki Rahimovski, bass guitarist Zlatko Miksić "Fuma" and drummer Srećko Antonioli. Immediately attracting the attention of the public with their energetic live performances and boogie rock sound, the band gained popularity with their early studio albums, Dođite na show! and Glavom kroz zid. Following the release of their second studio album, Pađen left the band to form Aerodrom, and was for a very brief period of time replaced by Branimir "Johnny" Štulić, later of Azra fame. During the following decades, Hasanefendić and Rahimovski would remain the key figures and the only two mainstay members of the band. After a brief attempt to break into international market with an English language album released under the name Steam Roller, the band joined in on the Yugoslav new wave scene with the 1980 album Vruće igre, which launched them to the top of the Yugoslav rock scene. With their following releases the band made a shift towards mainstream rock sound, scoring a large number of hits and remaining one of the most popular Yugoslav rock acts until the country's dissolution. They maintained large popularity in Croatia during the early 1990s, also restoring their popularity in other former Yugoslav republics in the following years and decades. In 2005, the group announced their disbandment, only to reunite four years later. After Rahimovski's death in 2022, the band continued their activity with vocalist Igor Drvenkar.
Biography
Formation, rise to prominence and first releases (1975–1978)
After the disbandment of the band Grupa 220, the group's former guitarists Husein Hasanefendić "Hus" and Jurica Pađen and former manager Vladimir Mihaljek decided to form a new band under the name Parni Valjak. At the time, Bijelo Dugme enjoyed the status of the most popular Yugoslav band, and Mihaljek, who had just ended his cooperation with Bijelo Dugme leader Goran Bregović, envisioned Parni Valjak as Zagreb-based competitors of Bijelo Dugme. Hasandefendić and Pađen were joined by veteran bass guitarist Zlatko Miksić "Fuma", former member of Zlatni Akordi and the founder of Boomerang, drummer Srećko Antonioli, formerly of Delfini, and vocalist Aki Rahimovski. Prior to the formation of Parni Valjak, Rahimovski was a DJ, played organ in the band Krvna Braća, then moved to the band Vakum and eventually became a vocalist for Macedonian band Tor. With Tor, he performed on the 1975 edition of BOOM Festival held in Zagreb, where he was spotted by Mihaljek and suggested to Hasanefendić and Pađen. Parni Valjak was officially formed ond 29 November 1975.The band immediately gained the attention of the Yugoslav public with their glam rock outfits and three-minute boogie rock tunes released on 7-inch singles. The band had energetic and attractive live performances, but their early singles were criticized by Yugoslav music press because their guitar riffs resembled the riffs from rock foreign hits, and because of trivial lyrics. At the time, the band's lyrics were written by Josip Ivanković, who attempted to imitate lyrics of Bijelo Dugme's Balkan folk-influenced songs; much later, Ivanković would start a successful cooperation with the folk band Zlatni Dukati.
In 1976, the band released their debut album, entitled Dođite na show! through PGP-RTB record label. The record was a concept album, telling the story of the rise and decline of the fictional band Ludi Šeširdžija i Jahači Rumene Kadulje ; the second part of the band's name was inspired by the title of a Western novel by Zane Grey, which enjoyed large popularity among Yugoslav teenagers during the 1960s. The album songs were written primarily by Hasanefendić and Pađen, although Rahimovski also contributed with his song "Pjesma o starosti". The album was co-produced by guitarist Vedran Božić and composer Jovan Adamov. On the album recording, Rahiomvski played the piano, while the synthesizer was played by Hobo keyboardist Mato Došen. Of the album's songs, the title track and "Prevela me mala žednog preko vode" saw most airplay. The album also included two instrumental tracks, "Inge" and "Svim slomljenim srcima". Following the album release, the band performed on the 1976 edition of BOOM Festival, their song "Ljubavni jadi jednog Parnog valjka", originally released on a 7-inch single, appearing on the various artists live album BOOM '76 recorded on the festival. On the double various artists live album Pop parada I, recorded on a concert in Belgrade's Pinki Hall and released in 1977, the band appeared with the songs "O šumama, rijekama i pticama", "Prevela me mala žednog preko vode" and "Parni valjak".
In 1977, the band released their second album, Glavom kroz zid, featuring the cover designed by renowned comic book artist Igor Kordej. Stylistically similar to their debut, Glavom kroz zid also brought the ballads "Crni dan" and "Noć". The album's main hits were the songs "Kravata oko vrata" and "Lutka za bal". Following the album release, the band once again performed on the BOOM Festival, live versions of "Ljubavni jadi jednog Parnog valjka" and "Prevela me mala žednog preko vode" appearing on the various artists live album BOOM '77. In 1978, Hasanefendić and Rahimovski were both drafted to serve their mandatory stints in the Yugoslav People's Army, and Parni Valjak went on hiatus.
Reformation, joining in on the new wave scene and nationwide popularity (1979–1980)
During the band's hiatus, Pađen decided to leave Parni Valjak to form his own group, Aerodrom. After Hasanefendić and Rahimovski returned from the army, the band continued their activity with new guitarist, Branimir "Johnny" Štulić. The lineup featuring Štulić lasted for only two weeks, and he would leave Parni Valjak to reform his band Azra, Hasanefendić producing their debut single; however, the brief cooperation would influence Parni Valjak's sound in the following several years.At the time, American record label CBS Records got interested in the band, and would co-release their third studio album and several future releases with Yugoslav record label Suzy. The band recorded their 1979 album Gradske priče in Milan, with Italian producer Valentino Maggioni. The album was recorded by a new lineup of the band, consisting of Hasanefendić, Rahimovski, Miksić, guitarist Zoran Cvetković and drummer Ivan "Piko" Stančić. Under the influence of Stančić and earlier cooperation with Štulić, the record announced the band's future shift towards new wave. The album featured a cover of Azra song "Jablan" and brought two large hits, "Ulične tuče" and the ballad "Stranica dnevnika". The songs from the album were recorded with English language lyrics and released by CBS Records on the album City Kids. Additionally, the album featured the English language version of the song "Predstavi je kraj" from the band's debut album, entitled "When the Show Is Done". On 7 January 1980, the band performed as Steam Roller in the Mian discoteque Odissea 2001.
At the end of 1980, the band released the album Vruće igre, joining in on the exuberant Yugoslav new wave scene. The album was, as the band's previous release, recorded in Milan, and was produced by Tini Varga. It featured new members, guitarist and saxophonist Rastko Milošev, bass guitarist Srećko Kukurić and drummer Paolo Sfeci; Zoran Cvetković had in the meantime left the band to form Parlament, and Stančić had moved to the band Film. Miksić would spend the following two years performing in West German clubs, also performing with the Zagreb-based cover band Cadillac, and in 1982, he drowned in the Sava river. Vruće igre album cover presented the band's new image – the members were dressed in black formal suits and wore skinny ties. It brought successful songs in trend with the popular new wave sound – ska-influenced "Neda", "Ona je tako prokleto mlada" and "Javi se", the latter featuring a musical quation from the hit "Needles and Pins". Hasanefendić paid tribute to Štulić by covering Azra song "Kad Miki kaže da se boji", and the album for the first time featured Hasanefendić on lead vocals, in the song "Ne udaraj me nisko". The album saw large commercial and critical success and launched the band to the top of the Yugoslav rock scene.
Shift to mainstream rock and new successes on the Yugoslav scene (1981–1991)
The band's long-awaited success with mass audience and the Yugoslav music critics brought by Vruće igre was followed by a series of albums. In 1981, they released the album Vrijeme je na našoj strani, once again produced by Tini Varga, but this time recorded in Sweden. The album featured a combination of 1960s pop music and 1980s rock sound, but also included The Platters- and doo wop-influenced "Kao ti". The band repeated the successful formula of recording ballads, this time "Kao ti" and "Staška", alongside firm pop-influenced tracks, most prominently "Moje dnevne paranoje". However, the band also paid homage to their boogie rock roots with the song "Djevojčice ne...". Vrijeme je na našoj strani was followed by the double live album Koncert, recorded on the group's concert in Zagreb's Dom Sportova hall.On the album Glavnom ulicom, released in 1983, the band continued in the similar manner. Beside Hasanefendić's songs, the album featured tracks composed by Milošev and Kukurić. The album brought the hits "Kao prije" and "Ma 'ajde / Gledaj stvari mojim očima". Hasanefendić recorded lead vocals for the acoustic ballad "A ja bih s vragom...". Saxophonist Miroslav Sedak and Novi Fosili keyboardist Rajko Dujmić made guest appearances on the album. After the album was released, Milošev went to serve his stint in the Yugoslav army, and was replaced on live performances by Vedran Božić.
Milošev returned to the band for the recording of their eight studio album, Uhvati ritam, released in 1984. The album featured one song authored by Milošev, "Ponovo sam". The album featured guest appearance by keyboardist Zoran Kraš, and in the title track, which would go on to become a large hit, the backing vocals were sung by journalist Dražen Vrdoljak and Bajaga i Instruktori members Momčilo Bajagić and Dejan Cukić. The album Pokreni se!, released in 1985, featured guest appearances by Ekatarina Velika keyboardist Margita Stefanović, singer-songwriter Drago Mlinarec, who provided vocals for the song "Idu dani", and saxophonist Miroslav Sedak. Hasanefendić recorded lead vocals for the song "Stojim već satima". After the release of the album, Milošev left the band and started a solo career, releasing the album Granice: Ras, 2va, 3ri' in 1990.
In 1985, Rahimovski and Hasanefendić took part in the YU Rock Misija project, a Yugoslav contribution to Live Aid, contributing vocals to the song "Za Milion Godina". Zoran Cvetković returned to Parni Valjak, stepping into Milošev's place, and the new lineup recorded the band's second live album, E = mc², released in 1986. The album was recorded on the band's concert held in Dom Sportova on 26 February 1986, the performance featuring former Dorian Gray member Toni Ostojić on keyboards.
The band's following studio album, Anđeli se dosađuju?, was produced by Hasanefendić and Tomo in der Mühlen and released in 1987. The album was marked by heavier use of keyboards, played by guest musicians Koki Dimuševski, Neven Frangeš and Stanko Juzbašić. The song "Anja" featured guest appearance by Lačni Franz frontman Zoran Predin on vocals. The album's main hit was the ballad "Jesen u meni". At the beginning of 1988, the band released the VHS Koncert, with the recording of their concert held in Dom Sportova on 23 December 1987. On the VHS debuted a new member, keyboardist Miroslav Barbir. At the beginning of May 1988, the band held a large free concert in Zagreb's Republic Square, after which Hasanefendić announced a hiatus in the band's work.
The band returned to the scene in a new lineup, featuring bass guitarist Zorislav Preskavec, drummer Dražen Šolc. The band's following album, Sjaj u očima, released it 1989, brought the hit ballad "Moja je pjesma lagana". The album also featured a cover of Drago Mlinarec song "Uvijek kada ostanem sam". After the album release, Cvetković moved to London, where he still resides, working as a studio musician. The band was joined by guitarist and saxophonist Bruno Kovačić and keyboardist Berislav Blažević, the new lineup appearing on the various artists live album ZG Rock Forces, released in 1989 and featuring live recordings of four most popular Zagreb bands at the time – Parni Valjak, Prljavo Kazalište, Film and Psihomodo Pop.
In 1990, Parni Valjak released the album Lovci snova, the title of which was inspired by Milorad Pavić's novel Dictionary of the Khazars. The album songs were written during 1990 in the Mokrice Castle, and the album recording was sponsored by the clothing company Levi's. The album brought successful songs "Suzama se vatre ne gase", "Samo san", "Godine prolaze", "Ima dana". Following the album release, former Prljavo Kazalište member Marijan Brkić replaced Kovačić, who travelled to the United States for his musical specialization.
The band celebrated their 15th anniversary with a series of concerts in Dom Sportova. On their November and December 1990 concerts they recorded the material for the triple live album Svih 15 godina, released in 1991. During the same year, they released the compilation albums Samo sjećanja.