Tunel (, trans. Tunnel) was a Serbian and Yugoslav rock band formed in Belgrade in 1980.
Tunel was formed as a supergoup consisting of a former S Vremena Na Vreme member Ljuba Ninkovià(guitar), a former Crni Biseri member Vladimir Jankovià"Vlada Dà ¾et" (bass guitar) and a former SOS member Steva Stevanovià(drums). In 1984 the band was joined by guitarist Vlada NegovanoviÃÂ, who was replaced by Predrag Guculj in 1987. Tunel ended their activity in 1992, when Ninkoviàstarted working with the reunited S Vremena Na Vreme. During their career the band released five studio albums and had several hit songs.
The band was formed in 1980 by a former S Vremena Na Vreme member Ljuba Ninkovià(vocals, guitar), a former Crni Biseri member Vladimir Jankovià"Vlada Dà ¾et" (vocals, bass guitar) and a former SOS (embryonic Riblja ÃÂorba) member Steva Stevanovià(drums). The band presented themselves with melodic classic rock-inspired sound, and during its initial years performed mostly on music festivals.
In 1982 they released their debut album, NoÃÂni prolaz (Night Passage), produced by Robert NemeÃÂek (formerly of Dogovor iz 1804., Pop Maà ¡ina and Rok Maà ¡ina), through Jugodisk record label. Five tracks were written by Ninkoviàand four by JankoviÃÂ. The album brought minor hits "Natali", "Radio", "Svako je zna" ("Everybody Knows Her"), and erotic song "Volim sax" ("I Love Sax"). NoÃÂni prolaz also featured a cover of Steppenwolf song "Born to Be Wild". In 1983 the band released their second studio album, Niz tri tamne ulice (Along Three Dark Streets), also produced by NemeÃÂek and also through Jugodisk. Besides the tracks written by Ninkoviàand JankoviÃÂ, the album featured "A sad je svemu kraj", a Serbo-Croatian cover of Bobby Womack's song "It's All Over Now".
In 1984 the band was joined by guitarist Vladimir NegovanoviÃÂ, a former member of the bands Butik (Boutique), Doktor Spira i Ljudska BiÃÂa and SlaÃÂana Miloà ¡eviÃÂ's backing band Ljudi (People). The new lineup recorded the album ElektirÃÂna iluzija (Electric Illusion), produced by ÃÂorÃÂe Petroviàand released in 1984 through PGP-RTB. In 1987 the band released the album Do poslednje kapi... (Till the Last Drop...), produced by the band themselves and YU Grupa guitarist Bata KostiÃÂ, through PGP-RTB. The album featured a Serbian language cover of Willie Dixon's song "Little Red Rooster", entitled "Crveni petao" ("Red Rooster"). The album featured Kostiàon guitar and NinkoviÃÂ's former bandmate from S Vremena Na Vreme Asim Sarvan on vocals as guest musicians. In May 1985 Ninkoviàparticipated in YU Rock Misija, the Yugoslav contribution to Live Aid, and on June 15 Tunel, alongside 23 other acts, performed on Red Star Stadium, on the concert which was a part of YU Rock Misija.
In 1987 Negovanoviàmoved to Dejan CukiÃÂ's Spori Ritam Band (in 1995 he would join Bajaga i Instruktori) and the band's new member became Predrag Guculj, who previously performed with Rambo Amadeus. In 1991 the band released the album Bubnjevi preko reke (Drums on the Other Side of the River), produced by themselves, through PGP-RTB. The song "Bela laÃÂa" ("White Boat") featured rock veteran Branko Maruà ¡ià"ÃÂutura" on vocals. The album featured a Serbo-Croatian cover of The Doors song "Love Street", entitled "Ulica ljubavi". The song "Joà ¡ uvek (volim sax)" ("I Still (Love Sax)"), with similar erotic lyrics as "Volim sax", featured guitarist Borko MitiÃÂ. The album featured Bilja KrstiÃÂ, Asim Sarvan, and à ½eljko Marinkoviàon backing vocals and Bajaga i Instruktori member Saà ¡a Lokner on keyboards.
In 1992 NinkoviÃÂ started working with reunited S Vremena Na Vreme and Tunel ended their activity.
After Tunel disbanded, Jankoviàstarted working as a Radio 202 editor and host. With guitarist Boban Birtaà ¡evià(a former Siluete member) and drummer Jovan Ljubisavljevià"KiÃÂa" (a former Crni Biseri member) he formed his Vlada Jet Band. With the new band he recorded six studio albums, the 2005 album Brand 40 featuring Ninkoviàon backing vocals. Ninkoviàtook part in S Vremena Na Vreme 1990s and 2010s reunions. He died on 6 January 2026, aged 76.
In 1996 Raglas Records released Tunel greatest hits compilation It's Only Rock 'n' Roll.
In 2021 Long Play record label released the album Uà ¾ivo 1982âÂÂ1985 (Official Bootleg) (Live 1982âÂÂ1985 (Official Bootleg)), featuring recordings from the band's performance in Kuluà ¡iàclub in Zagreb and from perofmances on youth work actions in Negotin, ParaÃÂin and Pirot.
In 2022, Fidbox record label released the compilation album Antologija on vinyl as a double album. In 2023, Antologija was released on CD by PGP-RTS.