Crvena jabuka (transl. Red apple) is a Bosnian pop rock band formed in Sarajevo, SR Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1985. Since then they had great success and are still very popular. They were a part of the New primitives movement that started during the 80s.
Crvena jabuka was founded in 1985. The first line-up of the band consisted of drummer Darko Jelčić, lead guitarist/singer Dražen Ričl "Zijo", bassist Aljoša Buha, rhythm guitarist/lead songwriter Zlatko Arslanagić [sr] "Zlaja", and keyboardist/vocalist Dražen Žerić "Žera." The band's name was derived from an occasion when Darko Jelčić brought a red apple to one of the band's meetings. Although Tomislav Ćorković was offered an initial space for guitar, he did not accept at the time and never played with the band. They released their self titled debut album in 1986, and it was an instant success. The album contained singles such as "Bježi kišo s prozora", "S tvojih usana", and "Dirlija". The band quickly gained popularity all over former SFR Yugoslavia, and on September 18, 1986 the band headed to Mostar for a promotional concert, and suffered a car accident that claimed the lives of two members. - Dražen Ričl and Aljoša Buha.
In tribute of this tragic moment, a concert was done in Skenderija palace in Sarajevo in which musicians and bands from all generations performed. Crvena jabuka would end with their work.[clarification needed]
Because the material for 1987's "Za sve ove godine" was ready, the band decided to first record that before undergoing a one-year hiatus. The band decided to stay a trio with Dražen Žerić (who originally sang backup vocals) taking on lead vocal duties. Guitarist Zlatko Arslanagić also switched to mostly lead/bass guitar, and Darko Jelcic decided to remain on drums. Next to him, Zeric was the only original member present in the band. Also, as the 1987 album was meant to be a tribute to Dražen Ričl and Aljoša Buha, there were no promo ads. Nor was there a tour because of the requests of the band members.
It was, however, 1988's Sanjati that proved the band's commercial success. While the album was recorded in the same fashion as Za sve ove godine, the band brought in two more musicians, bassist Srđan Serberdžija, and keyboardist Zlatko Volarević. This allowed Zera to focus primarily on vocals, and Zlaja to go to just lead guitar. The album sold 250,000 copies, and following its release, Crvena Jabuka embarked on a 180 concert tour.
The band made some major changes during the recording of Sanjati. First, the band worked in Rockoko studios in Zagreb. They would record every future album there. Secondly, the band dropped producer Željko Brodarić (who had produced their first two albums), and got Niksa Bratos. (Niksa would eventually be inducted as another full-time member, and the third long-standing member next to Jelcic and Zeric.) Not only was Bratos a producer, but a multi-instrumentalist. He could put all the band's ideas to work, and even did string arrangements. He would be put on rhythm guitar, and would also play many woodwind instruments on future albums.
January 1989 was when the recording contract for the band's fourth album called Tamo gdje ljubav počinje was signed. Serberdia, having grown tired of touring with the band, quit right after the first session so was replaced by professional guitarist/bassist Branko Salka. Immediately after this release, a tour took place. During the tour Niksa Bratos was not available, but suggested a good friend of his, Igor Ivanovic. The significant moment was at the Sports Arena in Zagreb where a double album was recorded live called "Uzmi me (kad hoćeš ti)".