Famous Rockers in the Names of Our Streets

Boulevards, streets, and alleys throughout the country traditionally bear the names of famous individuals from our own or world history, who have, in one way or another, contributed to Serbia and even humanity as a whole with their character and deeds.

The main streets in almost every settlement are usually "reserved" for famous heroes from the past, national heroes, rulers, and military leaders. After them, scientists, writers, and artists who have contributed to the educational and cultural advancement of the people often follow. In the absence of enough such figures, streets are named after various historical events or their dates, rivers, mountains, cities, monasteries, local and global heroes, and sometimes even seemingly unknown personalities.

A few years ago, a large national project of updating the address register has been implemented in Serbia, and a significant number of streets in Belgrade and Serbian cities have been renamed as part of this project. For the first time, athletes, actors, and musicians of the modern era have found their place in the street index.

Recognized as cultural icons, some of the biggest names in the domestic and foreign rock 'n' roll scene have been given streets in Belgrade and some cities in Serbia.

Elvis Presley

Since 2018, the legendary Elvis Presley has his own street in the Roma settlement of Zemun, known as Bački Ilovik. It is not known why exactly this location was chosen, but there is no doubt that with this act, Belgrade paid tribute to the "King of Rock 'n' Roll," who, in the 1950s and 1960s, mesmerized the whole world, including the youth of Belgrade at the time, with his rockabilly sound and performances.

Milan Mladenović

"The Boy from the Water" is considered one of the most influential musicians in this region. In addition to his completely authentic poetics and musical style, he stood out with clear anti-war messages in the early 1990s, which is why he is still remembered as a symbol of freedom and reason in difficult times. Several cities have honored the frontman of EKV by naming streets after him, and the famous square in front of the Belgrade Youth Center bears the name of Milan Mladenović as well.

Vlada Divljan

With full right called the "gentleman of rock 'n' roll," Vlada Divljan, in addition to his indelible mark on Yugoslav rock music, is also remembered as a remarkably humble, down-to-earth, and normal person whom neither musical fame nor the madness of the time in which he mostly created, "diverted his compass." His premature death in 2015 saddened the entire region. Since 2018, the former Palilula Cultural Center has been named after Vlada Divljan, and both Belgrade and Novi Sad have honored him with streets bearing his name.

Goran Čavajda Čavke

The eccentric drummer of Električni orgazam and Baba, Goran Čavajda will also be remembered as a voice of reason in turbulent times in this region, from which he himself disappeared in the mid-90s. At the initiative of friends and fellow rock musicians, a previously neglected passage between Nušićeva Street and Bezistan was given the name Čavke's Passage a few years ago.

Laza Ristovski

The legendary keyboardist of Smak and Bijelo dugme, whose transition from one band to another resonated like a football transfer in the 70s, also had a highly acclaimed solo career, collaborating with the greatest music stars of his time. Although perhaps not widely known to the general public as a keyboardist, Laza Ristovski will be remembered as a talented musician, a great star of Yugoslavia's greatest bands, and at the same time, a humble and modest person. Streets in Belgrade and Kraljevo are named after him today in his honor.

Dušan Prelević

Probably the biggest troublemaker of the domestic rock 'n' roll scene, Prele will be remembered as a singer with an unmatched voice admired by the famous Joe Cocker. Equally, he will be remembered as a city character, to put it mildly, a troublesome character who defended his freedom by all means, against everyone. Although he spent almost his entire life in Crveni krst and Svetogorska, a small street in Zvezdara was named after him a few years ago.

Nenad Radulović

The famous Neša "leptir" was the frontman of the band Poslednja igra leptira and a participant in the legendary Indeksov radio pozorište. Tragically, he passed away from a serious illness at the peak of his fame and, above all, at a very young age (31 years old), and he will be remembered for his timeless hits, cheerful spirit, and endless humor. A short alley in front of the Vlada Divljan Cultural Center now bears his name - Plato Neše leptira.

Goran Kostić - Kosta

A hero of the alternative scene in Niš, and the region as a whole, Goran Kostić was the frontman of the punk band Studeni, Studeni which originated in Zagreb in the late 80s and later moved to Niš in the 90s and continued its work under the name Novembar. Although perhaps not widely known to the general public, Kosta was regarded as one of the most beloved figures in the domestic rock 'n' roll scene. Therefore, it is not surprising that recently a street in Palilula, Niš was named after him.