Bijelo Dugme's Breakup: Alen Islamović's Journey Back to the Band

This installment of a series on the iconic Yugoslav rock band Bijelo Dugme delves into the period following the departure of two of its vocalists, exploring the band's struggle to find a replacement while other musicians pursued different opportunities.

At the time, the band Divlje Jagode seemed to be gaining traction. Their album "Čarobnjaci" caught the attention of English producers, leading to a contract offer that mirrored those given to British bands. However, the reality for Divlje Jagode was less glamorous, with finances only sufficient for basic survival.

Alen Islamović, a key figure in this narrative, was in London with Divlje Jagode, dedicating ten hours a day to learning English. Growing impatient with the slow progress and uncertain future, he abruptly returned to his hometown of Bihać without saying goodbye. Sead Zele Lipovača, his bandmate, was convinced Islamović would eventually return to London, believing they were on the cusp of international fame.

However, Islamović began earning a living by playing in local cafes. It wasn't long before Raka Marić, the manager for Bijelo Dugme, heard about him. Goran Bregović, the band's leader, reportedly gave a curt "Alright, give him to me...", leading to Islamović being persuaded to rejoin Bijelo Dugme for a second time.

This account is drawn from the book "Šta bi dao da si na mom mjestu" (What Would You Give to Be in My Place), a biography of Bijelo Dugme authored by Dušan Vesić and published by Naklada Ljevak. The article is the sixth part of a serialized feature presenting the band's impressive and engaging rock history from the region.

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Alright, give him to me...