Van Gogh () is a Serbian and former Yugoslav rock band from Belgrade.
The band was formed in 1986, and released their debut alternative rock-oriented self-titled album during the same year. During the 1990s, the band released a number of well-received albums inspired mostly by the works of the band Ekatarina Velika, and in the 2000s the band adopted more commercial sound, becoming one of the top acts of the Serbian rock scene. Since the beginning of the band's career, vocalist and guitarist Zvonimir ÃÂukiÃÂ and drummer Srboljub RadivojeviÃÂ have been the mainstay members of the band.
The band was formed in 1986. The first lineup consisted of Zvonimir ÃÂukià"ÃÂule" (guitar), Srboljub Radivojevià(drums), ÃÂorÃÂe Petrovià(a former Zajedno member, keyboards), Goran Milisavljevià(vocals), and Predrag Popovià(a former Rock Ekspres member, bass guitar). In February 1986, the band released their debut single "Tragovi proà ¡losti" ("Traces of the Past"), and in May they appeared at Youth Festival in Subotica, performing songs "Tragovi proà ¡losti", "Tvoj smeh" ("Your Laughter") and "Menjam se" ("I'm Changing"), and winning the second place by the choice of the audience, and the third place by the choice of the jury. At the end of 1986 the band released their debut self-titled album. The album lyrics were written by MilisavjeviÃÂ, the music was written by ÃÂukiÃÂ, and the album was produced by PetroviÃÂ. The album featured new versions of "Tragovi proà ¡losti", "Tvoj smeh" and "Menjam se". After a number of concerts Van Gogh disbanded. Before the 1990 reunion ÃÂukiàperformed with Fit (participating in the recording of their debut album Uz rijeku), Ekatarina Velika (participating in the recording of their album Samo par godina za nas) and Nikola ÃÂuturilo.
Van Gogh reunited in 1990 and released the single "Gubià ¡ me" ("You're Losing Me"), and in 1991 they released the album Svet je moj (The World Is Mine). The lineup which released the single and the album consisted of ÃÂukià(vocals, guitar), Radivojevià(drums), Aleksandar Baraà(bass guitar), Vladan Cvetkovià(drums), and Vlada Barjaktarevià(keyboards). The album featured Ekatarina Velika members Milan Mladenoviàand Margita StefanoviÃÂ, ElektriÃÂni Orgazam member Zoran "à  vaba" RadimiroviÃÂ, and Oktobar 1864 member Tanja JoviÃÂeviàas guests. The music and most of the songs' lyrics was written by ÃÂukiÃÂ, and the album was produced by BarjaktareviÃÂ. The album featured the hit "Neko te ima" ("Someone Has You"). The band released their third album Strast (Passion) in 1993 as a trio consisting of ÃÂukiÃÂ, Radivojeviàand BaraÃÂ. Strast marked the band's shift towards mainstream rock sound. It was produced by Saà ¡a HabiÃÂ, and it featured Rambo Amadeus, Marija Mihajloviàand Pera Joe as guests. In 1995 the band released the compilation album Tragovi proà ¡losti (Traces of Past) which featured fifteen songs from their previous albums and the song "Zemlja ÃÂuda" ("Wonderland"), which was originally released as a single.
In 1996 the band released Hodi (Come), which featured more diverse sound than the band's previous releases, and artistic music videos were recorded for several songs. The music was written by ÃÂukiÃÂ, the song "Polje snova" was written by Saà ¡a DragiÃÂ, and a part of the songs' lyrics featured motifs from MomÃÂilo NastasijeviÃÂ's poetry. This album was also produced by Saà ¡a HabiÃÂ, and it featured hits "Delfin" ("Dolphin"), "Hodi", "Kiselina" ("Acid"), "Apsolutno ne" ("Absolutely Not"). The album featured a live version of the song "Luna" ("Moon") and the instrumental track "Vertigo" as bonus tracks. In 1996, the band appeared on the Kornelije Kovaàalbum Moja generacija (My Generation), with their version of Korni Grupa song "Jagode i maline" ("Strawberries and Raspberries"). In 1997 Van Gogh released the live album No Comment, which was recorded on 23 and 24 January 1997 in Belgrade's SKC. The album featured songs from all the periods of the band's career, but mostly from several last albums. The album was produced by Vlada NegovanoviÃÂ. In 1998 the band released the CD single which featured two acoustic versions of the song "Polje snova" ("Field of Dreams"), one of them having the French language title, "Qu'hier que demain". In 1998 Van Gogh was voted the Yugoslav Rock Band of the Year, and the live version of the song "Neko te ima" was voted the Rock Song of the Year in the YuMusic Internet Awards poll. In the meantime Aleksandar BaraÃÂ, one of the starting members of the group, left the band to pursue life abroad.
In 1999 the band, featuring new bass guitarist, Duà ¡an Bogovià(a former Hush and Vasil Hadà ¾imanov Band member), released Opasan ples (Dangerous Dance). The album was produced by Saà ¡a HabiÃÂ, who also played keyboards and percussion on the album recording. Apart from singing and playing the guitar, ÃÂukiàalso played bass guitar and mandolin. The album also featured bass guitarists Nenad Stefanovià"Japanac" and Ryan Nemuryn as guests. The music was written by ÃÂukiÃÂ, Radivojeviàand HabiÃÂ. The song "Pleme" ("Tribe") featured a quotation from the song "Sunshine Day" by Osibisa, and the song lyrics featured motifs from Desanka Maksimoviàpoetry. The song "Demagogija" ("Demagogy") featured the chorus from the song "Pop Muzik" by M, and the song "Zauvek" ("Forever") featured elements of the traditional music of Cape Verde. At the same time a CD featuring the interview journalist Peca Popoviàrecorded with ÃÂukiàand the song "Zemlja ÃÂuda" was released.
In 2000, Dragan Ivanoviàbecame the band's new bass guitarist. In 2001, the band released the live album Happy New Ear, which was recorded on 19 December 1999 at the band's concert in Belgrade's Hala sportova. The album was produced by Vlada NegovanoviÃÂ. During the same year the band's first album was rereleased by Metropolis Records. In 2002, the band released the album DrUnder, which featured electronic rock elements. In 2003, the band was joined by the new bass guitarist Dejan IliÃÂ. The same year the band held a concert at the full Taà ¡majdan Stadium.On 15 June 2004 Van Gogh performed as the opening band on Metallica concert held at Partizan Stadium in Belgrade.
In 2006 Van Gogh released Kolo. The album was named after the traditional folk dance from the Balkans, and the first single from the album was the folk-oriented "Kolo (Ludo luda)", the lyrics of which featured elements from the Serbian folk poem "Riba i devojka" recorded by Vuk StefanoviàKaradà ¾iÃÂ. In the meantime Branislav Gluvakov (solo guitar) was introduced. In 2007, the band won the award for the Best Adriatic Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards 2007. The same year the band released live/video album Beogradska Arena / Live, which featured a recording of Van Gogh's concert held in Belgrade Arena on 19 May 2007. In 2009, Van Gogh released Lavirint through Mobile Telephony of Serbia, and during the first month of the sale it was sold in more than 100,000 copies. On 28 November 2009 the band held another concert at the full packed Belgrade Arena. This concert won the Concert of the year award at the Serbian Oscar Of Popularity.
In 2010, Dejan IliÃÂ left the band and was replaced by Dragan IvanoviÃÂ which was his second stint at Van Gogh. In 2011, the band celebrated 25 years of existence with the release of Total, which featured a CD with 17 songs and a DVD with 23 videos, released by Croatia Records for the Croatian market only.
In December 2013, the band released the album Neumeren u svemu (Unrestrained in Every Way). The album was previously announced by the single "Neà ¡to vuÃÂe me dole" ("Something Drags Me Down"), released in May 2013 for free download from the band's official site. Van Gogh released the album as a duo, with ÃÂukiàand Radivojeviàas the only official members of the band. On the album recording, ÃÂukiàplayed guitar, bass guitar, keyboards and mandolin and sang lead vocals, and Radivojeviàplayed drums and sang backing vocals. In January 2014, the band released the video for the song "AnÃÂele, moj brate" ("Angel, My Brother"), featuring actor Petar Boà ¾oviÃÂ. In 2014, a monography about the band, written by ÃÂukiàand RadivojeviÃÂ, entitled Van Gogh: Tragovi proà ¡losti, was published. In June Dejan Iliàrejoined Van Gogh. In October of the same year, the band won the Best Adriatic Act award at the 2014 MTV Europe Music Awards for the second time, thus becoming the first band to win the award two times. The award was handed to the band at the first of two sold-out concerts at the Ranko à ½eravica Sports Hall on 11 and 12 December 2014.
In April 2016, in order to celebrate its 30th anniversary, the band released the album Ako stanemo, gubimo sve (If We Stop, We'll Lose Everything). The album featured twelve old songs recorded in new, mostly acoustic arrangements. On 22 April 2016 the band performed, alongside Riblja ÃÂorba, Piloti, Galija and ElektriÃÂni Orgazam on the opening of renovated Taà ¡majdan Stadium. The band celebrated their 30th anniversary on the festival 5 do 100 (5 to 100), which was held on 4 July 2016 on Nià ¡ Fortress. The festival featured Van Gogh, the band Novembar, celebrating their 30th anniversary, and the band Galija celebrating their 40th anniversary (the combined "age" of the bands was 95, thus the title of the festival). Van Gogh's performance featured guest appearance by Kerber vocalist Goran à  epa. At the beginning of 2019 the band released their 10th studio album called âÂÂMore bez ObalaâÂÂ(A sea without shores).
The frontman of the group Zvonimir ÃÂukiÃÂ was attacked while performing in Sarajevo in July 2019. In 2019 Branislav Gluvakov left the group and in 2020 Dejan IliÃÂ parted ways with the band for the second time as well thus leading to the return of Dragan IvanoviÃÂ for his third stint with Van Gogh. This move made Van Gogh a historically recognizable three man band once more.
The Rock Express Top 100 Yugoslav Rock Songs of All Times list, published in 2000, featured three songs by Van Gogh: "Neko te ima" (polled No.6), the version of "Klatno" from No Comment (polled No.40) and "Mama" (polled No.52). In 2011, the song "Neko te ima" was voted, by the listeners of Radio 202, one of 60 greatest songs released by PGP-RTB/PGP-RTS during the sixty years of the label's existence.