Crvena Jabuka is a pop-rock band originally formed in Sarajevo in 1985 by guitarist/vocalist Dražen Ričl, guitarist Zlatko Arslanagić, keyboardist Dražen Žerić, bassist Aljoša Buha, and drummer Darko Jelčić. Their name was inspired by Beatles' Apple Records as a nod to their musical roots.
Their self-titled debut album, released in March 1986, was an immediate success across Yugoslavia. Tragedy struck later that year when Aljoša Buha died instantly in a car accident and Dražen Ričl succumbed to his injuries days later. Undeterred, the remaining members released their second album, Za sve ove godine, in 1987 as a tribute to their lost colleagues—choosing to avoid media appearances. The follow-up album Sanjati (1988), produced with new member Nikša Bratoš, became a major success and sparked an extensive tour.
In 1991, they released Nekako s proljeća, but the outbreak of war in Bosnia and Herzegovina forced the band to pause operations. In 1994 Žerić, Jelčić, and Bratoš re-established Crvena Jabuka in Zagreb, transitioning toward a more polished pop-rock sound with heartfelt lyrics and catchy melodies, often collaborating with external songwriters.
Over the decades they released more than twenty studio albums, numerous hit compilations, and performed extensively across Europe, North America, and Australasia. Dražen Žerić “Žera”, the only original member still active, is widely regarded as the voice and emotional core of the band. For more than thirty years, Crvena Jabuka has remained a pillar of the regional music scene, known for emotionally resonant songs, dynamic performances, and deep connection with their audience.
