Bajaga | |
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Бајагa | |
 Bajaga promoting theMTV Europe Music Awards in Serbia in October 2009. | |
| Born | Momčilo Bajagić (1960-02-19)19 February 1960 (age 65) |
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| Years active | 1975–present |
| Musical career | |
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| Labels | Jugoton |
| Member of | Bajaga i Instruktori |
| Formerly of | Riblja Čorba |
Musical artist | |
Momčilo Bajagić (Serbian Cyrillic:Момчило Бајагић; born 19 February 1960), better known by his nicknameBajaga (Serbian Cyrillic:Бајага), is a Serbian rock musician. Bajagić is best known as thefrontman of Serbian andformer Yugoslav rock bandBajaga i Instruktori, as well as a former member of rock bandRiblja Čorba.
Bajagić started his musical activity as a singer for the band TNT. He wrote his first lyrics (song "Dvadeseta noć" ("Twentieth Night") as a member of this band.
After TNT disbanded in 1976, Bajagić joined the band Ofi led by organist Toma "Ofinger" Stojković.
After Stojković left the band, Bajagić and the remaining two Ofi members—drummer Dragan "Đera" Đerić and vocalist Živorad "Žika" Milenković—formed Glogov Kolac (Hawthorn Stake) together with guitaristRajko Kojić. The band's debut live performance, in theBanat village ofIzbište, turned out to be their last as Glogov Kolac disbanded. Seventeen-year-old Bajagić then turned down Boban Petrović's invitation to join the disco-funk actZdravo, while Kojić joined the band S.O.S. and eventuallyRiblja Čorba.
In 1978, on a suggestion from Rajko Kojić (by then lead guitarist inRiblja Čorba), Bajagić was invited to audition for the recently formed band as they had decided to add a rhythm guitarist in order to tighten the sound. Bajagić recorded six albums with Riblja Čorba. He wrote songs "Ja sam se ložio na tebe" ("I Was Crushing on You"), "Baby, Baby I Don't Wanna Cry", "Muzičari koji piju" ("Musicians Who Drink") and "Kad hodaš" ("When You're Walking"). He co-wrote the songs "Dva dinara, druže" ("TwoDinars, Comrade"), "Nemoj srećo, nemoj danas" ("Don't Honey, Not Today"), "Kazablanka" ("Casablanca"), "Evo ti za taksi" ("Here's Some for the Cab"), "Draga, ne budi peder" ("Honey, Don't Be a Faggot"), "Dobro jutro" ("Good Morning"), "Odlazak u grad" ("Going to the City"), "Srećan put, pišo moja mala" ("Have A Nice Trip, My Little Winky"), and others.
During his work with Riblja Čorba, Bajagić wrote a number of humorouspop rock songs that did not fit into the band'shard rock sound and decided to release a solo album. He recorded the albumPozitivna geografija (Positive Geography) with musicians who would later become members of his bandBajaga i Instruktori: vocalistDejan Cukić (a former Dizel, Tilt andBulevar member), bass guitarist Miroslav "Cvele" Cvetković (a former Tilt,Pop Mašina and Papatra member), guitarist Nenad Stamtović (a former Tilt, Zebra,Suncokret and Bulevar member) and drummer Vladimir Golubović (a former Tilt, Suncokret and Riblja Čorba member). The album was produced byKornelije Kovač and was released in late January 1984, bringing hits "Limene trube" ("Brass Trumpets"), "Tekila gerila" ("Tequila Guerilla"), "Mali slonovi" ("Little Elephants"), "Marlena", and "Pustite me, druže" ("Let Me Go, Comrade"). Although released as Bajagić's solo album,Pozitivna geografija was later included in Bajaga i Instruktori official discography, as it featured future Bajaga i Instruktori members. Bajagić and the musicians that were involved in the album recording performed inKulušić club inZagreb on 12 April 1984, and on 21 April inDom Sindikata inBelgrade, appearing as Bajaga i Instruktori (Bajaga and the Instructors) for the first time at the latter concert.
At the time of the album recording, Bajagić wanted to remain a member of Riblja Čorba, but the popularity of his songs caused conflicts inside the band. In July 1984 he was, alongside Kojić, excluded from Riblja Čorba, and started a tour with his new band.
Led by Bajagić, Bajaga i Instruktori became one of the most successful and influential rock bands of theformer Yugoslav andSerbian rock scene. Their string of albums in the mid-to-late 1980s placed them at the very top of the former Yugoslav rock scene, alongside other mega-selling bands such asBijelo Dugme and Riblja Čorba. The band has released nine studio albums (includingPozitivna geografija).
Bajagić released two solo albums, both featuring film soundtracks written by him:Ni na nebu ni na zemlji (for the film of the same name)[1] andProfesionalac – Muzika iz filma (for the filmThe Professional). Bajagić recorded the latter withpop rock/folk rock bandApsolutno Romantično.[2] He also composed music for TV seriesOtvorena Vrata.[3]
Bajagić producedBezobrazno Zeleno debut albumBZ1 released in 1983.[4] He also produced Heroji's only album,88 in 1988,[5] as well as their 7" single "Bilder" / "Instruktor skijanja" ("Bodybuilder" / "Skiing Instructor", released in 1986).[6] He produced his solo albumProfesionalac – Muzika iz filma,[2] and participated in the production of Bajaga i Instruktori releasesČetiri godišnja doba (Four Seasons, released in 1991)[7] andMuzika na struju (Electric Music, released in 1993).[8]
Bajagić completedprimary and secondary education in Belgrade. In 1989, he married Emilija Stoletović, two years his junior (then employee ofEmbassy of Burma in Belgrade).[9] They have two children together, son Marko and daughter Anđela.[10] They divorced in 2022, after 33 years of marriage.[11]
In 2004, Bajagić acquired theCroatian citizenship.[12][13]
Bajagić was elected member on five-year term of the Red Star AssemblyCrvena zvezda Basketball Club on 27 December 2021.[14][15]
In 2021 he was awarded theOrder of Karađorđe's Star.[16]
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