What a marvellous way to spend Saint Valentines Day – at Max Watt’s (formerly The Hi-Fi). I had been told by a very reliable source from the former Yugoslavia that Željko Bebek (or simply “Bebek”) was “Yugoslavia’s answer to Rod Stewart” (there is such thing as too much of a good thing). So with my heart in my mouth, and throwing cautions to the winds, I walked into the club. Soooooooooooooo different now it’s Max Watt’s – the place feels friendlier and people actually buy drinks at the bar and seem relaxed. A very different vibe to the original.

Bebek originally was the lead singer for Bijelo Dugme – the biggest rock band in the former Yugoslavia (from 1974 to 1984). Since then, Bebek has had a very successful career as a solo artist, spanning over three decades with numerous unforgettable hits. He is most known for songs such as: Tako Ti Je Mala Moja Kad Ljubi Bosanac, Selma, Ima Neka Tajna Veza, Da Je Sreće Bilo, Oprosti Mi Što Te Volim and Gdje Sam Bio. Bebek recently released a quadruple anthology album with 50 hits, re-mastered at the Abbey Road Studios and marking 40 years of his career.

Bebek came on at about 8:40 and was warmly greeted by the crowd of about 400 hundred. Most people were from the countries of the former Yugoslavia and connected with his music and were singing along to most of the songs. The age group of the crowd was from 70 down to 18 years old. Though nearly everyone knew the words to the songs, I think Bebek spoke in English twice. Many younger people whose parents came to Australia in the 80s were seeing Bebek for the first time and had clearly grown up listening to him when their parents played his music. 

Bebek had a very strong voice and sang with emotion and was intimately in touch with the emotions and mood of the crowd. People were singing out requests and he was playing them (different to Albert Hammond Junior from The Strokes last week at Woolly Mammoth who, when he was asked to play Bob Dylan, said, “What is this, Karaoke?”). He played for about 90 minutes and came on for two encores. Bebek has the status where he can hand pick anyone he wants to play in his band (which were very tight and followed his every move). He was a truly professional performer and I am sure we will see him back soon. (and he was nothing like Rod Stewart – thank F**k). Željko Bebek & Band, the Balkan rock spectacle of the year. Bebek!! – here’s to another 30 years!!

- Donald Gunn