Zana

Zana is a Serbian and former Yugoslav pop group formed in Belgrade in 1979 by guitarist Radovan Jovićević, keyboardist Zoran Živanović and vocalist Zana Nimani. The first album of the group was made in artistic post punk and alternative rock style with elements of new wave and some acoustic power pop song, but did not gain much attention. Soon they turned to more commercial new wave rock with elements of synth pop or reggae and got large success. Until the mid-1980s the band had moved from their initial new wave and synthpop sound towards euro pop and pop rock. The band released several singles before their first album 'Loše Vesti Uz Rege Za Pivsku Flašu' was released for the Yugoslav major label Jugoton in 1981. During this short and less known initial period, Zana was a New Wave band and part of the Yugoslav New Wave music scene. They were featured on the compilations 'Svi Marš Na Ples!' and 'Vrući Dani i Vrele Noći'. 

 

The band and especially Zana Nimani herself gained nationwide popularity across the former Yugoslavia with their very successful second album 'Dodirni Mi Kolena' released for Jugoton in 1982. With this album, the band shifted towards a more power pop sound, thus fusing New Wave music with more radio-friendly pop. However, certain elements of the then-popular New Romantic and synthpop sound are also evident on this record. The album was recorded in Torsby, Sweden between May 20 and June 25, 1982. After the departure of Zana Nimani in 1984, Jovićević and Živanović continued to lead the band, changing vocalists. 

 

During the 1990s, Zana worked as a trio consisting of Jovićević, Živanović and vocalist Jelena Galonić. In 1999, Jovićević left the group, leaving Živanović and Galonić as the only official members of Zana. In the 2010s, Živanović and Galonić formed a new lineup, making a return to pop rock format. [SOURCE: WIKIPEDIA]