Željko Joksimović Жељко Јоксимовић
Željko Joksimović (2008)
Background information
Born	(1972-04-20) 20 April 1972 (age 40) Belgrade, SR Serbia, Yugoslavia
Origin	Valjevo
Genres	Pop, rock
Occupations	Singer, composer, musician
Labels	Minacord
Website	www.zeljkojoksimovic.com
Notable instruments
plays 11 different musical instruments

Željko Joksimović or often credited Zeljko Joksimovic (Serbian: Жељко Јоксимовић, pronounced [ʒěːʎko jôksimoʋitɕ]; born 20 April 1972 in Belgrade, SR Serbia, SFR Yugoslavia) is a Serbian singer, composer and producer. He is also well known in all European countries. He represented Serbia and Montenegro in the 2004 Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Lane moje", placing 2nd behind Ukrainian singer Ruslana.^[1] He represented Serbia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 in Baku, Azerbaijan and finished 3rd.

Career[link]

Early beginnings[link]

Željko Joksimović was born on 20 April 1972 in Belgrade and grew up in the city of Valjevo.^[2] Željko’s first international success came at the age of 12, when he won the title of First Accordion of Europe at the prestigious music festival in Paris. He graduated from the Music University in Belgrade and launched his professional music career in 1997. In 1998 he won a contest at the Pjesma Mediterana festival with the song "Pesma Sirena", which led to opportunities to perform at more prestigious festivals in Belarus. The Serbian musician won the "Grand-Prix" award at two festivals in that country.^[3] Joksimović can play 11 different musical instruments including accordion, piano, guitar, drums.

Željko is multi-lingual, being fluent in Greek, English, Russian, Polish and French as well as his native Serbian.^[4]

[edit] 1999-2004: Amajlija, Vreteno and 111

In 1999, Joksimović signed with City Records, a music label owned by a private Serbian television station RTV Pink. The young singer was promoted then as a folk and pop artist. His first studio album, titled Amajlija, included "Pesma Sirena" along with seven other tracks. His first big success was with the single "Telo Vreteno", written by himself and Dragan Brajić - Braja. The song went to #1 on the Serbian pop music charts, and became very popular in other former Yugoslav countries.

In 2000 Joksimović released his second studio album Vreteno named after a song on the album. Other tracks on the album included "Rintam", "Gadura" and "Petak na subotu". Two music videos were produced for songs on this album.

111 was released in 2002, soaring to #1 on the pop charts of Serbia and other countries of the region.

In 2003, Joksimović wrote the song "Čija Si" for Macedonian music legend Toše Proeski which led him to win Beovizija - The Serbian festival for choosing a representative for the 2004 Eurovision Song Contest. However, Proeski did not go to the contest that year, instead representing his home country Republic of Macedonia with "Life".

2004: Eurovision Song Contest 2004[link]

Joksimović performing "Lane Moje" for Serbia and Montenegro in ESC 2004. Istanbul, Turkey.

Serbia and Montenegro, sending an entrant for the first time to 2004 Eurovision Song Contest, decided on their representative through Evropesma 2004, a music festival and contest in Serbia and Montenegro. Joksimović won the contest with "Lane Moje", composed by Željko himself, along with lyricist Leontina Vukomanović.

In the semi-final, Joksimović placed first. However, in the final he placed second behind Ukrainian singer Ruslana, but did win "The Marcel Bezencon Press award" (Best Composer Award). "Lane Moje" was the best selling single in Serbia and Montenegro and other parts of Europe for many months.

[edit] 2004-2007: After Eurovison, IV and Platinum Collection

Željko Joksimović performing in a night club.

After the success in the Contest, the same year, Joksimović founded MINACORD PRODUCTION. Since then, he works and composes in his own studio. In middle time he composed and released the single "Ledja o Ledja" which gained a large popularity over the countries where Željko usually performs. In 2005, he once again composed a song for Serbia and Montenegro's national pre-selection for Eurovision called Beovizija. Željko composed the ballad "Jutro" (Morning) which was performed by Jelena Tomašević. The song seemed well-placed to make it to the Eurovision Song Contest 2005 contest in Kiev, after it emerged as the highest-scoring qualifier from the Serbian pre-selection, but ultimately missed out to win. In October 2005, he composed and performed a duet with Austrian singer Tamee Harrison. The song was titled I Live my Life For You" which was a success throughout Europe. Around this time, Željko wrote his first film score. In cooperation with Cobra production he composed music for the movie Ivkova slava (Ivko's fame). The same year he released his fourth studio album "IV" or "Ima nešto u tom što me nećes". In this album he changed the music style that was typical about him. The songs in the album are pop ballads with some ethnic Serbian folk elements. The CD sold over 800,000 copies over former Yugoslavia. In 2006, he composed the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 song Lejla for Bosnia and Herzegovina, performed by Hari Mata Hari. The song finished in third place, making it Bosnia's best performance in the contest. He also won the prestigious Best Composer Award (COMPOSERAWARD 2006), assigned to Željko by all composers who participated in that festival. In 2007 he released his second greatest hits compilation called Platinum Collection. The same year, in front of 18,000 people Joksimović made a concert where he sang all of his hits in the Belgrade Arena.

[edit] 2008-2011: Eurovision hosting and Ljubavi

Željko Joksimović together with Jovana Janković during the first semi-final ESC Belgade 2008..

In early 2008, Željko Joksimović composed a song that was performed by Jelena Tomašević in the Serbian national final for the Eurovision song selection, Beovizija 2008, called "Oro". The song is a folk ballad with traditional folk Serbian elements. Because the Eurovision Song Contest 2007 has been won by Serbia, the contest that year came in the country. On 24 March 2008 it was announced by the 2008 Eurovision organisers RTS that together with Jovana Janković he would host the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 in Belgrade, giving him two roles in the contest.^[5] Tomašević's song finished on the 6th place over 25 countries in the final.

After a year of a music pause he released his fifth studio album named Ljubavi (2009) by the production of Minacord and City Records. "Ljubavi" is the name from the pilot single from the album too. The single has a large success in Serbia and the neighboring countries. In early 2010 he released the second single from the album called "Žena Za Sva Vremena".

On June 12, 2010 he performed his biggest concert yet. It was held on the Asim Ferhatović Hase Stadium in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, which can seat 37,500, though attendance for concerts can be expanded to reach about 80,000, in front of over 40,000 persons.

2012: Eurovision return[link]

On 18 November 2011, it was announced that Joksimović will represent Serbia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 in Baku, Azerbaijan.^[6] His song, "Nije Ljubav Stvar", was presented to the public on March 10, 2012. He finished third place and was runner-up.

The Serbian entry at the 57th "Eurovision Song Contest" in Azerbaijan is called "Nije ljubav stvar" a song composed and performed by Željko Joksimović. The lyrics are by Marina Tucaković and Miloš Roganović.

Along with the version in Serbian written by Marina Tucaković and Miloš Roganović, the English version of the song called "Synonym" by Ljilja Jorgovanović has also been presented. The arrangements of both versions were done by Željko Joksimović and Alek Alekov.

Along with Željko Joksimović, the Serbian team on the Eurovision stage in Baku will include members of the "Ad Hoc Orchestra": Ksenija Milošević - violin and backing vocals, Olga Vulović - violin and backing vocals, Miloš Nikolić - kaval and backing vocals, Dušan Alagić - backing vocals and instrumentalist, and Dragan Krstić - percussions and backing vocals.

The postproduction and mastering of "Nije ljubav stvar" in Serbian, and of the "Synonym" version in English was done James Cruz, an award-winning audio-mastering engineer in his New York studio.

Discography[link]

Studio albums[link]

• 1999 Amajlija [City Records]
• 2001 Vreteno [City Records]
• 2002 111 [City Records]
• 2005 IV [City Records]
• 2009 Ljubavi [Minacord]

Live albums[link]

• 2008 Željko Joksimović - Beogradska Arena Live [Minacord Records

Compilations[link]

• 2003 The Best Of Željko Joksimović
• 2007 Platinum Collection

Singles[link]

• 2004 Željko Joksimović - Leđa o leđa [City Records]
• 2004 Željko Joksimović - Lane moje CD+DVD [PGP RTS]
• 2004 Željko Joksimović - Lane moje/Goodbye (maxi-single) [Warner Music Group]
• 2005 Željko Joksimović & Tamee Harrison - I live my life for you [Warner Music]
• 2007 Željko Joksimović - Devojka [Minacord]
• 2007 Željko Joksimović - Nije do mene [Minacord]
• 2008 Željko Joksimović - Ono nase sto nekad bejase [Minacord]

Duets[link]

• 2002 Haris Džinović - Šta će meni više od toga
• 2005 Dino Merlin - Supermen
• 2005 Tamee Harrison - I Live My Life For You

Soundtracks[link]

• 2005 "Ivkova slava", (Željko Joksimović, Jelena Tomašević & Nikola Kojo) [Minacord - City Records]
• 2009 "Ranjeni Orao" [Minacord - City Records]

Other works[link]

• 2003 Toše Proeski - Song Cija Si - Composer: Zeljko Joksimovic, Album: Den Za Nas/Dan Za Nas
• 2005 Nava Medina - Song: Malah Shomer - Composer: Zeljko Joksimovic
• 2005 Jelena Tomasevic - Song: Jutro - Composer: Zeljko Joksimovic, Album: Oro [PGP -RTS]
• 2006 Hari Mata Hari - Song: Lejla - Composer: Zeljko Joksimovic, Album: Lejla [BiH]
• 2007 Tose Proeski - Song: Nesanica - Composer: Zeljko Joksimovic, Album: Igra Bez Granica
• 2009 Halid Bešlić - Song: "Miljacka" - Composer: Zeljko Joksimovic, Album: Halid08 Bešlić
• 2008 Jelena Tomasevic - Song: Oro - Composer: Zeljko Joksimovic, Album: Oro [PGP -RTS]
• 2008 Eleftheria Arvanitaki - Song: To Telos mas Des - Composer: Zeljko Joksimovic, Album: Mirame Universal Music
• 2008 Melina Aslanidou - Song: Poso - Composer: Zeljko Joksimovic, Album: Best of - Sto dromo Sony BMG
• 2008 Song: Nikola Tesla (Instrumental)[1] - Composer: Zeljko Joksimovic feat. Jelena Tomasevic Album: balkan Routes vol.1:Nikola Tesla[Protasis]
• 2011 Lepa Brena - Song: Biber - Composer: Zeljko Joksimovic
• 2011 Lepa Brena - Song: Ne bih bila ja - Composer: Zeljko Joksimovic

References[link]

External links[link]

• Željko Joksimović's Official website
• Zeljko Joksimovic Official YouTube
• Željko Joksimović's Official Myspace
• Željko Joksimović's Official facebook
• Radio Lane (Zeljko Joksimovic's radio station)
• [RTS http://www.rts.rs/page/rts/sr/pesma+evrovizije/Pesma-Evrovizije-2012.html ]
• Zeljko Joksimovic's profile on Story Online
• Željko Joksimović lyrics
• RTS ESC Facebook http://www.facebook.com/rts.zeljkojoksimovic?ref=tn_tnmn

See also[link]

• Evropesma
• Serbia and Montenegro in the Eurovision Song Contest
• Serbia in the Eurovision Song Contest
• List of Eurovision Song Contest presenters

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Extra Nena with Ljubim te pesmama	Serbia and Montenegro in the Eurovision Song Contest 2004	Succeeded by No Name with Zauvijek moja
Preceded by Mikko Leppilampi & Jaana Pelkonen	Eurovision Song Contest presenter (with Jovana Janković) 2008	Succeeded by Semi-Finals: Natalia Vodianova & Andrey Malahov Final: Alsou & Ivan Urgant
Preceded by Fitst title	Performer of The Best Song in Balkans 2009	Succeeded by Aurela Gaçe with Origjinale
Preceded by Fitst title	Best Male Performer in the Balkans 2009	Succeeded by Serdar Ortaç
Preceded by Nina with Čaroban	Serbia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012	Succeeded by [to be determined]

v t e Serbia and Montenegro in the Eurovision Song Contest1   Participation 2004 2005   Artists 2000s Željko Joksimović No Name   Songs 2000s "Lane moje" "Zauvijek moja" 1Competed separately as Serbia and Montenegro from 2007 (Note: Entries scored out are when Serbia and Montenegro did not compete)

v t e Serbia in the Eurovision Song Contest Serbia and Montenegro in the Eurovision Song Contest1   Participation 2004 2005 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012   Artists 2000s Željko Joksimović No Name Marija Šerifović Jelena Tomašević feat. Bora Dugić Marko Kon & Milaan 2010s Milan Stanković Nina Željko Joksimović   Songs 2000s "Lane moje" "Zauvijek moja" "Molitva" "Oro" "Cipela" 2010s "Ovo je Balkan" "Čaroban" "Nije Ljubav Stvar" 1Competed as Serbia and Montenegro in 2004 to 2005 (Note: Entries scored out are when Serbia did not compete)

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Željko Joksimović

Dino Merlin
Background information
Birth name	Edin Dervišhalidović
Also known as	Dino Merlin
Born	(1962-09-12) 12 September 1962 (age 49)
Origin	Sarajevo,  Bosnia and Herzegovina, FPR Yugoslavia[1]
Genres	Pop rock
Years active	1983–present
Associated acts	Merlin
Website	http://www.dinomerlin.net http://www.dinomerlin.com

Edin Dervišhalidović (pronounced [ědin derʋiʃxaːlǐdoʋitɕ]; born 12 September 1962), stage name Dino Merlin, pronounced [dǐːno měrlin], is a prominent Bosnian singer-songwriter and musician. He is a popular singer/songwriter in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and is also popular in the other countries of the former Yugoslavia such as Serbia, Croatia, Montenegro, Republic of Macedonia and Slovenia.^[2]

Music career[link]

Merlin Band[link]

Edin Dervišhalidović founded the band Merlin in 1983 and has been its singer and songwriter since. With the band, he has recorded 5 studio albums: Kokuzna vremena in 1985, Teško meni sa tobom (a još teže bez tebe) in 1986, Merlin in 1987, Nešto lijepo treba da se desi in 1989, and Peta strana svijeta in 1990.

Solo career[link]

Dervišhalidović began his solo career under the name Dino Merlin in 1991, and recorded five studio albums: Moja bogda sna in 1993, Fotografija in 1995, Sredinom in 2000, Burek in 2004, Ispočetka in 2008 and 2 live albums, Vječna vatra in 1999 and Live Koševo 2004 in 2005.

Dino Merlin wrote the first national anthem of Bosnia and Herzegovina called Jedna si, jedina.^{[citation needed]} He has also taken part in Eurovision Song Contests, in Millstreet in 1993 (Dino is the author of Sva bol svijeta) and in Jerusalem in 1999 (singing Putnici with Béatrice, a French singer). Dino Merlin has also taken part in other big European festivals, such as Copenhagen in 1996 and Turkovision in 1997.^{[citation needed]} His tour promoting his Sredinom album, which was released in 2000, included over 200 concerts, with a spectacular performance at the Koševo Olympic Stadium in Sarajevo, in front of an audience of about 80,000.^{[citation needed]} The Sredinom-album was the top-selling album in Bosnia and Herzegovina and sold in all of the countries that were once part of Yugoslavia.^{[citation needed]}

Dino Merlin's next album, Burek, was released in 2004. Three songs were featured as singles: Burek, Supermen and Ako Nastaviš Ovako. The album includes 15 tracks, many of which are new. The song Supermen is sung by Dino Merlin with a guest appearance by Željko Joksimović, who is also the composer of the song.

Many of the songs on this album have also appeared on his Live Koševo 2004 album released in 2005. The other guest appearances on the Burek album include Nina Badrić on "Ti si mene", Željko Joksimović on "Supermen" and Edo Zanki on "Verletzt" and many others.

Dino Merlin's tenth album titled Ispočetka (English Translation: From the Beginning) was released in 2008.

On 1 December 2010 it was revealed that Merlin will represent Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 in Germany.^[3][4] He came sixth in the final singing Love in Rewind.

Discography[link]

Albums[link]

with Merlin band[link]

• Kokuzna vremena (1985)
• Teško meni sa tobom (a još teže bez tebe) (1986)
• Merlin (1987)
• Nešto lijepo treba da se desi (1989)
• Peta strana svijeta (1990)

Solo career[link]

• Moja bogda sna (1993)
• Fotografija (1995)
• Live: Vječna vatra (1999)
• Sredinom (2000)
• Burek (2004)
• Live Koševo 2004 (2005)
• Ispočetka (2008)

Compilations[link]

• Merlin (1990) - with the Merlin band
• Balade (1995) - with the Merlin band
• Rest of the Best (1995) - with the Merlin band
• Najljepše pjesme (1995) - with the Merlin band
• The Best of Dino Merlin (2001)
• The Platinum Collection (2006)
• The Ultimate Collection (2009)

DVDs[link]

• Live Koševo (2005)
• Koševo 19. Juli (2009)

Singles[link]

• 2007: "Otkrit ću ti tajnu"
• 2008: "Dabogda"
• 2008: "Da šutiš (Indigo)"
• 2008; "Deset Mlađa"
• 2009: "Nedostaješ"
• 2011: "Love in Rewind"

Songs produced by Dino Merlin[link]

Sampled Song[link]

References[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Dino Merlin

External links[link]

• Official Website