Drunk Driver Kills Folk Music Icon Šaban Šaulić in Tragic Highway Accident

The life of Šaban Šaulić, revered as the "king of folk music," was tragically cut short on February 17, 2019. While traveling towards Dortmund after a performance in Bielefeld, Germany, the car he was in was struck by a vehicle driven by an intoxicated driver who lacked a license. Reports indicate Šaulić exited the wreckage himself and entered an ambulance, but succumbed to his injuries.

The news of his death sent shockwaves across the region. Šaulić's journey from a humble background, marked by poverty and early dreams of a sports career, to becoming a global music icon is a testament to his extraordinary talent. Born in Šabac, Serbia, in 1951, he came from a modest family; his mother sold toys and his father sold lottery tickets. Young Šaban was passionate about football and even trained in boxing, envisioning a future in sports.

However, fate intervened when his uncle persuaded him to sing in a local cafe. His rendition of "Jablani se povijaju" captivated the audience, marking his reluctant entry into music. A pivotal moment occurred when Veroljub Jovanović, a violinist in composer Budimir-Buce Jovanović's orchestra, heard Šaulić sing. Recognizing his raw talent, Jovanović introduced him to Buce, who took the young singer under his wing. Despite lacking formal musical training, Šaulić possessed an exceptional ear and emotional depth.

In 1969, at just eighteen, Šaulić recorded his first song, "Dajte mi utjehu," composed by Jovanović. This hit, sung in the popular ijekavian dialect, propelled him to the forefront of the Yugoslav music scene. His rapid ascent from "a child from the edge of life," as he described himself, to a celebrated star was remarkable. He moved to Belgrade, releasing a continuous stream of hits that are now considered classics of the genre, including "Dođi da ostarimo zajedno" and "Dva galeba bela."

Šaulić's discography spans over thirty albums, making him one of the best-selling artists in former Yugoslavia. Though shy offstage, he transformed into a musical powerhouse when performing, evoking deep emotions with his voice. He dedicated the famous song "Gordana" to his wife, Gordana, with whom he had three children. In 2018, he celebrated fifty years in music with a concert at the Belgrade Arena.