Željko Bebek, a legend of Yugoslav rock and frontman of the cult band from our western neighbor "Bielo Dugme", gave an interview for the show "Panorama" on BNT.
On December 16, the musician turns 80.
"A few years ago I celebrated 50 years of career, and now I'm turning 80 and I still have big plans. My life was not defined by borders or politics. I have not limited myself in anything. Ever since I was a child, I dreamed of becoming a singer, and that means I gave my soul to the audience," says Bebek and returns the tape.
"In 1982, we came to Bulgaria, we were full of energy, will and passion for rock and roll. That's why I like to remember 1982, when we first played in beautiful, brotherly Bulgaria. We were welcomed fantastically, unforgettably. The tour included over 40 concerts in big cities - it was like a dream come true. I will never forget the CSKA stadium in Sofia. I remember Burgas, Varna and especially Kyustendil. They often asked us not to be too noisy and defiant, but we forced the young ones... well, it seemed like hooliganism. But as a frontman, I wanted a mood at every concert in Bulgaria, so that we would leave a mark and be remembered," explains the Sarajevo-born musician, founder, together with Goran Bregović, of "Bielo Dugme".
"The former Yugoslavia fell apart after the collapse of "Bielo Dugme". Before that, in 1984, there was a Winter Olympics in Sarajevo. And right then, when the country was supposed to be the happiest in the world, Goran and I parted ways. I thought that he would link his future work with his name, so that there would be no "Bielo Dugme" without Bebek. Bebek to perform under the name Bebek, and Goran - under the name Goran. Unfortunately, they appropriated the name and continued for another five years. But he no longer harbors any malice, all evil for good. "The Real Bielo Dugme" was gone when Yugoslavia fell apart. And today everything is just variations - let's gather an audience again. I don't think we should have separated," he reflects.
"In 2007, an invitation came from Kyustendil for a concert in the square. The rain ruined it, but we stayed a whole week at the invitation of the mayor of the baths and the next Saturday became one of our greatest concerts abroad," Bebek recalls.
"This year my tour started in Canada - Vancouver, Toronto, Winnipeg, Calgary, we haven't stopped. And the Royal London Philharmonic Orchestra arranged and played my song "Yellow Rose". This will be my favorite thing in my life - how the boy who dreamed of becoming famous got to the Royal London Orchestra. I am happy that I was a musician, a contemporary of world names like Tom Jones, Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton. They are my age and we made music in the deepest waters.
And I was always looking for challenges. I left "Bielo Dugme" and jumped into the unknown. I said to myself - if you are such a robber, if you have made such a career with "Bielo Dugme" - go ahead, make your own! My son ran away from his mother and came to me. A few years later he took up the guitar. He enrolled in the rock academy. He graduated and went on stage next to his father.
Do you see what a wonderful thing happened in my life. I couldn't even dream of it. On the stage next to me is my son - a big star in Croatia and around the world. The leader of my band, composer and guitarist, who set out on new paths towards the future. My career is truly a collection of fantastic circumstances. And I can't finish the conversation about myself without my son - Zvonimir Bebek, "said Boyko Vassilev's interlocutor in "Panorama".