Biography
Who is Željko Bebek?
Early Years in Sarajevo
Željko Bebek was born in Sarajevo, which was part of FPR Yugoslavia, to parents Zvonimir and Katarina. His heritage traces back to Herzegovinian Croats near Ljubuški. During his youth, he showed an interest in music by singing for house guests. While he initially experimented with the harmonica in primary school, he switched to mandolin because his teacher did not support his interest in guitar. He eventually mastered the mandolin, which earned him the reward of playing guitar.
Bands Before Bijelo Dugme
In 1965, Edo Bogeljić invited the twenty-year-old musician to join a cover band named Kodeksi. This group included Ismeta Dervoz and Luciano Paganotto. Željko played rhythm guitar and provided vocals. The group gained local popularity in Sarajevo. In 1969, he suggested adding Goran Bregović to the lineup to cover the bass guitar position. After creative disagreements in Italy during 1970, he left the group. Back in Sarajevo, he formed Novi Kodeksi with Bogeljić. They focused on cover songs but eventually disbanded due to changing public tastes.
The Bijelo Dugme Era
Jutro evolved into the rock band Bijelo Dugme in 1974. Željko served as a founding member, lead vocalist, and occasional bassist. The group achieved country-wide success within Yugoslavia. He spent ten years with the band, recording six studio albums. During this period, he became a major celebrity. In 1984, he decided to leave the group to focus on his solo work. He later reunited with the band members for three large concerts in 2005 across Zagreb, Sarajevo, and Belgrade.
Solo Career and Collaborations
His solo path began while he was still a member of Bijelo Dugme. In 1978, he released the album Skoro da smo isti with drummer Điđi Jankelić and guitarist Edo Bogeljić. Although this album did not sell well, he continued recording. He released his second solo album, Mene tjera neki vrag, in 1984. During the 1980s, he produced several commercial hits, including Oprosti mi što te volim and Jabuke i vino, a duet with Zana Nimani. He has released eleven solo albums.
Family and Personal Life
Željko Bebek has been married three times. His first marriage was to Spomenka, with whom he had a daughter named Silvija in 1974. By the early 1980s, he began a relationship with Sandra Priganić, an economics student. They had a daughter named Bjanka in 1981. He married Priganić in a 1984 civil ceremony held at a restaurant in Sarajevo. He also has a son named Zvonimir Bebek.
Birthday and age
Željko Bebek was born on December 16, 1945, which makes Željko 80 years old today. That birthday falls under the Sagittarius sign. Željko shares the date with 31 other famous people.
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