Drago Mlinarec
Born (1942-12-14) 14 December 1942 (age 81)
Zagreb, Independent State of Croatia
OriginZagreb, Croatia
GenresRock, pop
Occupation(s)Musician, singer, songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar, harmonica
Years active1962–present
LabelsJugoton, Suzy Records, Croatia Records

Drago Mlinarec (born 14 December 1942) is a Croatian rock musician who became known in the former Yugoslavia with popular progressive rock band Grupa 220.[1]

Life

Mlinarec was born and grew up in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia. During his formative years, Yugoslavia was under Tito's form of communism though it had open borders with the West. He has stated that his lyrics were inspired, at least in part, by the Noir films he had seen at the cinema.[2]

Work

Besides playing in one of the most popular rock bands in Yugoslavia, Grupa 220, Mlinarec in the 1970s composed music for several theatre plays, TV shows, documentary and feature films. His musical style was compared with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Some of his albums were recorded in Sweden.

Musical career

After serving his mandatory military service, Mlinarec left Grupa 220 and begun a successful solo career. His 1972 album Pjesme s Planine yielded several notable songs including Noćna Ptica and Skladište Tišine. Arguably his greatest achievement was the 1975 album Rođenje. He used a variety of sounds and his style of play was distinctive - it remains so today. Among his later hits is a Latino hit "Caracas".

Discography

Singles and EP's

Grupa 220

Solo

Albums

Grupa 220

Solo

Grupa 220 and solo

Awards

References

  1. ^ John Shepherd (2005). Continuum encyclopedia of popular music of the world, Volumes 3-7. Continuum. p. 141. ISBN 0826474365. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
  2. ^ An interview with Drago Mlinarec, jetset.cro.net
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