Samonikli was a former Yugoslav rock band, recognized as one of the pioneering bands in the Yugoslav rock scene, formed in 1963.
Samonikli were:
- Milan Pavlov – lead guitar,
- Bojan Drndic – rhythm guitar,
- Marko Novakovic – bass guitar,
- Dino Martijevic – drums.
This song “Takav Chovek” (Such A Man) was recorded in 1968 for the show “Koncert za mladi ludi svet” (Concert for Young Crazy World) produced by Radio Television Belgrade (RTB).
The band Samonikli was named after the book of short stories authored by Prezhihov Voranc. In their early days, they performed regularly at the Faculty of Technology in Belgrade and gained popularity. In 1966, they won the first place at the World Festival of Young Rock Bands, which led to their representation of Yugoslavia at the International Festival of Young Artists in Hungary, where they were referred to as a “western” band.
Before the end of their career in 1969, Samonikli made covers of many hits by Jimi Hendrix. They reunited in 1985 for the event celebrating “25 years of rock music in Belgrade.” Additionally, in 2003, on the occasion of their 40th anniversary, they held a concert for their friends and fans at the club “Duga” in Belgrade.
Samoniкli were indeed pioneers as an “electric guitar band” that collaborated with a group of violinists. They recorded two new songs: “Dozvoljavate li gospodine” (Would you allow me sir?) and “Povetarac i ja” (The breeze and me). The latter song achieved chart success in 1966 on Radio Belgrade’s show “Muzichki Avtomat” (Music machine).
In addition to these two songs, Samonikli also recorded their arrangements of the songs “Usamljena gitara” (Lonely guitar) and “Ne ustupam vam svoje mesto” (I’m not giving you my place).
It’s interesting to note that the members of Samonikli were the only Yugoslav rock band in that era of rock music expansion who did not have long hair, citing their reasons as “principle and personal hygiene”. They prioritized the quality of sound and performance over physical appearance.
