Toma Zdravkovic
Toma Zdravkovic
Toma Zdravkovic was a Yugoslav and Serbian pop-folk singer-songwriter and recording artist. He was born on November 20, 1938 in Aleksinac, Serbia, and died on September 30, 1991 in Belgrade, Serbia. He was known for his distinctive baritone voice, his poetic lyrics, and his bohemian lifestyle. He was one of the most influential figures on the Yugoslav folk scene and a legend of Serbian music.
Toma Zdravkovic
Early life and career
Toma Zdravkovic was born in Aleksinac, but his family moved to PeÄenjevce near Leskovac when he was three months old. He had four siblings, including his brother Novica Zdravkovic, who was also a folk singer. His father Dusan was a farmer and his mother Kosara was a housewife. The family lived in poverty and Toma had to work from an early age to help them. He attended elementary school, but he dropped out after the fourth grade. He developed a passion for music and singing since he was a child. He learned to play the accordion and the guitar by himself and he sang at various local events and celebrations.
When he was 18, he decided to pursue a career as a singer and he moved to Leskovac, where he sang in a kafana (a traditional tavern) called Dubocica. He didn't have any friends or connections in the music industry, so he struggled to find gigs and recognition. He met the famous Bosnian singer Silvana Armenulic in a park in Leskovac in 1958, who helped him to get more opportunities and exposure. She invited him to sing with her at her concerts and introduced him to other singers and composers. She also recorded one of his songs, "Sta ce mi zivot" (What is life to me), which became a hit. Toma was grateful to Silvana for her support and friendship, and he dedicated many of his songs to her.
Toma wanted to expand his audience and he moved to Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina, where he sang in the Hotel Bristol. He also traveled to other cities in Yugoslavia, such as Sarajevo, Zagreb, Skopje, Ljubljana, etc., where he performed at various venues and festivals. He recorded his first single, "O majko majko" (Oh mother mother), in 1963 for the label Jugoton. He continued to record singles for different labels, such as Diskos, PGP RTB, Beograd Disk, etc., until he released his first album, Amela, in 1971 for the label Jugodisk. The album was named after his daughter Amela, who was born in 1969.
Style and influence
Toma Zdravkovic's style of music was influenced by various genres, such as folk, pop-folk, chanson, blues, jazz, etc. He wrote most of his songs himself, using simple but expressive language and poetic imagery. His songs were mostly about love, sorrow, loneliness, nostalgia, drinking, and death. He sang with a deep and emotional voice that conveyed his feelings and touched the hearts of his listeners. He was also known for his distinctive appearance, wearing a white suit, a black hat, and a red rose in his lapel.
Toma Zdravkovic was one of the most influential figures on the Yugoslav folk scene and a legend of Serbian music. He inspired and influenced many other singers and songwriters, such as Zdravko Colic, Lepa Brena, Dino Merlin, Ceca, Aca Lukas, etc. His songs have been covered by many artists, such as Zeljko Joksimovic, Haris Dzinovic, Halid Beslic, Saban Saulic, etc. His songs have also been featured in many movies and TV shows, such as Balkan Express, Crna macka beli macor, Montevideo Bog te video, etc.
Legacy and recognition
Toma Zdravkovic died on September 30, 1991 in Belgrade, Serbia, at the age of 52. He was buried in the Alley of the Greats at the New Cemetery in Belgrade. His funeral was attended by thousands of fans and celebrities who paid their respects to him. His death was mourned by the whole nation and his songs were played on radio and TV stations for days.
Toma Zdravkovic's legacy and recognition have continued to grow after his death. He has been honored with various awards and tributes, such as the Golden Badge of the Cultural and Educational Community of Serbia, the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Radio Television of Serbia, the Golden Microphone Award of the Radio Television of Republika Srpska, etc. He has also been commemorated with various monuments and memorials, such as a statue in PeÄenjevce, a bust in Leskovac, a street name in Belgrade, etc. He has also been the subject of various books and documentaries, such as Toma Zdravkovic: The Legend Lives On by Dragan Markovic, Toma by Zoran Jankovic, etc.
Toma Zdravkovic was a Yugoslav and Serbian pop-folk singer-songwriter and recording artist who was known for his distinctive baritone voice, his poetic lyrics, and his bohemian lifestyle. He was one of the most influential figures on the Yugoslav folk scene and a legend of Serbian music. He wrote and sang many songs that are considered classics of the genre, such as "Danka", "Pustite me da zivim svoj zivot", "Dotako sam dno zivota", "Pesme moje", etc. He died in 1991 at the age of 52, but his legacy and recognition have continued to grow after his death.
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