Biography
Who is Goran Bregović?
Early life and background
Goran Bregović was born in Sarajevo on March 22, 1950. His parents were Franjo Bregović and Borka Perišić. He grew up with a younger brother named Predrag and a sister named Dajana. When he was ten years old, his parents divorced, and his father moved to Livno with Predrag while Goran stayed in Sarajevo with his mother.
During his school years, Goran played the violin in a music school but was expelled during the second grade after being deemed untalented. His mother later bought him his first guitar. He attended a technical traffic school after his aunt advised against a fine arts high school.
Musical beginnings and bands
As a high school student, Goran joined the school band Izohipse and played bass guitar. He later joined grammar school and played in the band Beštije. At the age of sixteen, his mother moved to the coast, leaving him to take care of himself by playing folk music in a kafana, working on construction sites, and selling newspapers.
In 1969, Željko Bebek invited him to play bass guitar in the band Kodeksi. Goran later switched to lead guitar. The band lineup included Goran, Željko Bebek, Zoran Redžić, and Milić Vukašinović. After returning to Sarajevo, Goran briefly studied philosophy and sociology at the University of Sarajevo before forming the band Jutro with Nuno Arnautalić.
Bijelo Dugme success
On January 1, 1974, Jutro changed its name to Bijelo Dugme. From 1974 to 1989, Goran played lead guitar and served as the main creative force behind the group. The band became one of the most popular recording acts in SFR Yugoslavia, achieving big commercial success and large public followings.
Alongside their domestic popularity, Goran led the band in attempts to expand outside Yugoslavia. They recorded English language tracks and toured in Eastern Bloc countries, including a well-known tour in Poland during 1977. Goran later completed his mandatory military service in the Yugoslav People's Army starting in November 1977.
Film scores and solo career
After Bijelo Dugme split up, Goran started on a successful solo career and focused on composing film scores. He composed music for Emir Kusturica films such as Time of the Gypsies, Arizona Dream, and Underground. For his work on Silent Gunpowder, he won the Golden Arena for Best Film Music at the 1990 Pula Film Festival.
Throughout his career, Goran has also composed music for the Academy Award-nominated film La Reine Margot and the Cannes-entered film The Serpent's Kiss. Over five decades, he has written music for critically acclaimed singers including Sezen Aksu, Kayah, Iggy Pop, Šaban Bajramović, George Dalaras, Cesária Évora, and Severina.
Birthday and age
Goran Bregović was born on March 22, 1950, which makes Goran 76 years old today. That birthday falls under the Aries sign. Goran shares the date with 28 other famous people.
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