Zebra () was a Yugoslav rock band formed in Belgrade in 1976. Formed and led by drummer Ratislav "Raà ¡a" ÃÂelmaà ¡, Zebra was a prominent act of the 1970s Yugoslav rock scene.
During the 1960s and at the beginning of the 1970s, drummer Ratislav "Raà ¡a" ÃÂelmaà ¡ performed in the bands AnÃÂeli (The Angels), Hendriksova Deca (Hendrix's Children), Mobi Dik (Moby Dick) and Felix. In 1972, he became a member of Pop Maà ¡ina, during the summer of the same year he performed with Siluete, and in the autumn of 1972 he became a member of YU Grupa. He spent four years with YU Grupa and recorded three albums with them. After leaving YU Grupa in 1976, ÃÂelmaà ¡ formed Zebra.
The first lineup of Zebra featured, besides ÃÂelmaà ¡, Bata Radovanovià(keyboards), Duà ¡an Lazarevià(bass guitar), Miroslav Stamenkovià(trumpet), Karolj Burai (saxophone) and two female members, Anka Lazarevià(vocals) and Ana Merlini (guitar). During the following years, a large number of musicians passed through the band, including guitarists Nenad "Nele" Stamatovià(later a member of the bands Bulevar and Bajaga i Instruktori and a solo artist) and à ½eljko Nikolià(later the leader of the band Roze Poze).
Zebra's debut release, the EP Igra (The Game), was released through ZKP RTLJ in 1977. It was produced by Ivo Umek. All the songs were composed by ÃÂelmaà ¡, and the lyrics were written by singer and songwriter Duà ¡an PreleviÃÂ. During the same year, the band performed at the sixth edition of BOOM Festival, and their songs "Telefon" ("Telephone") and "Moja mala zebra" ("My Little Zebra") appeared on the various artists live album BOOM '77 recorded on the festival. During 1978, the band released two 7-inch singles.
In 1979, the band released their only studio album, Kaà ¾u da takav je red (They Say That's the Way It Should Be). The band recorded the album in the lineup that featured Raà ¡a ÃÂelmaà ¡ (drums), Anka Lazarevià(vocals), Bata Radovanovià(keyboards), à ½eljko Nikolià(guitar) and Zoran Bartulovià(bass guitar). All the songs were composed by ÃÂelmaà ¡, and the lyrics were written by LazareviÃÂ, except the lyrics for "à  arena laà ¾a" ("Hoax"), written by poet Duà ¡ko TrifunoviÃÂ. Besides playing drums, on the album recording ÃÂelmaà ¡ also sang and played percussion and synthesizer. The album was produced by Nikola Borota Radovan, and the science fiction-themed cover and the comic on the inner sleeve were designed by Vladeta AndriÃÂ. The album was poorly received by the critics, largely due to LazareviÃÂ's naive lyrics. Soon after the album release, the group disbanded.
After Zebra ended their activity, ÃÂelmaà ¡ released hard rock-oriented solo album Hot rock, in 1982. The album featured ÃÂelmaà ¡ on vocals and drums, Zoran Nastoski of the band MagiÃÂno Oko on vocals, Laza Ristovski on keyboards, ÃÂelmaà ¡'s former bandmate from YU Grupa Bata Kostiàon guitar, and Lola Andrijiàon bass guitar. The lyrics were written by LazareviÃÂ, who also sang backing vocals on the recording. In 1989, ÃÂelmaà ¡ returned to YU Grupa, recording two more albums with them. After leaving YU Grupa for the second time, he retired from music, dedicating himself to car racing. He died in Belgrade on 28 October 2021.