Kemal Monteno

Kemal Monteno

Early life

Kemal Monteno was born in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, on August 17, 1948. He began singing at an early age, and by the time he was 15, he was already performing professionally. Monteno's early influences included traditional Bosnian music, as well as popular Western artists such as Elvis Presley and The Beatles.

Career

In 1966, Monteno released his first single, "Ljubavna priča" ("Love Story"). The song was a hit, and it helped to establish Monteno as a rising star in the Yugoslav music scene. Over the next few years, Monteno released a series of successful singles and albums, including "Proplakat će zora" ("The Dawn Will Cry"), "Život je lijep" ("Life Is Beautiful"), and "Samo ti" ("Only You").

In 1974, Monteno represented Yugoslavia at the Eurovision Song Contest. He performed the song "Moja pjesma" ("My Song"), which finished in 16th place. Despite his disappointing result at Eurovision, Monteno continued to be a popular singer in Yugoslavia. He released a number of successful albums throughout the 1970s and 1980s, including "Sreća je tamo gdje si ti" ("Happiness Is Where You Are"), "Zaljubljen sam" ("I'm in Love"), and "Pjevajmo zajedno" ("Let's Sing Together").

Later years

Monteno's career continued to flourish after the breakup of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s. He released a number of successful albums in the 1990s and 2000s, including "Sve najbolje" ("All the Best"), "Zlatna kolekcija" ("Golden Collection"), and "50 godina" ("50 Years"). Monteno also toured extensively throughout the world during this time, performing in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and Europe.

Personal life

Monteno was married three times. He had two children with his first wife, Snežana. He had one child with his second wife, Vesna. He had no children with his third wife, Gordana.

Death

Monteno died of a heart attack on January 21, 2015, at the age of 66. He was survived by his three children.

Legacy

Kemal Monteno was one of the most popular and successful singers in the history of Yugoslav and Bosnian music. He released over 30 albums and sold over 10 million records worldwide. Monteno was also a talented songwriter, and he wrote many of his own hits. He was known for his powerful voice, his charismatic stage presence, and his passionate performances. Monteno's music continues to be enjoyed by fans all over the world.