Jurica Pađen

Jurica Pađen (born 3 February 1955) is a Croatian and Yugoslav rock musician, known as the frontman and leader of Aerodrom and Pađen Band, as well as guitarist for the bands Grupa 220, Parni Valjak and Azra and a member of the supergroup 4 Asa.

Pađen started his career as a teenager, playing guitar in several Zagreb bands. In 1972, he became a member of the popular band Grupa 220, appearing on the group's second (and last) studio album. After Grupa 220 disbanded in 1975, Pađen and another former Grupa 220 member, Husein Hasanefendić "Hus", formed Parni Valjak. With Parni Valjak, Pađen recorded two studio albums, before leaving the group to form his own band, Aerodrom. Pađen was initially the guitarist and principal songwriter for Aerodrom, taking over the vocal duties with the departure of the band's original vocalist Zlatan Živković in 1982. Initially a progressive rock band, Aerodrom achieved nationwide popularity during the 1980s with their pop rock hits, disbanding in 1987. After Aerodrom ended their activity, Pađen joined the popular band Azra as a guitarist, recording a studio and a live album with the group, also taking part in the recording of Azra leader Branimir "Johnny" Štulić's two solo albums. During the 1990s, he fronted his Pađen Band, recording three studio albums with the group. He reunited Aerodrom in 2000, the band recording four studio albums and a live album since. Simultaneously with his work with reunited Aerodrom, he performed with the supergroup 4 Asa, composed of Vlado Kalember, Alen Islamović, Rajko Dujmić and himself, and recorded two solo albums of instrumental music.

Biography Early life and early career Pađen was born in Zagreb on 3 February 1955. He grew up listening to The Beatles, their music encouraging him to enroll in a music school. He played classical guitar, and after graduating from lower music school, started composing his first rock and roll songs.

He started performing at the age of 15, as the guitarist for Zoo Band, later performing with the bands Spectrum and Hobo. In 1978, both Hasanefendić and Rahimovski were drafted to serve their mandatory stints in the Yugoslav People's Army, Parni Valjak going on hiatus and Pađen deciding to form a new band. Pađen Band's last release was the 2000 compilation album Retro 16. The band released their comeback album Na travi (On the Grass) in 2001, releasing three more studio albums since.

Discography With Grupa 220 Studio albums Slike (1975)

With Parni Valjak Studio albums Dođite na show! (1976) Glavom kroz zid (1977)

With Aerodrom Studio albums Kad misli mi vrludaju (1979) Tango bango (1981) Obične ljubavne pjesme (1982) Dukat i pribadače (1984) Trojica u mraku (1986) Na travi (2001) Rock @ Roll (2007) Taktika noja (2012) Dnevni rituali (2019)

Live albums Hitovi i legende (2009)

Compilations Flash Back 1979-1986 (1996) The Ultimate Collection (2008) Greatest Hits (2020)

With Azra Studio albums Između krajnosti (1987) Zadovoljština (1988)

With Branimir "Johnny" Štulić Studio albums Balkanska rapsodija (1989) Balegari ne vjeruju sreći (1990)

With Pađen Band Studio albums Hamburger City (1993) Slatka mala stvar (1995) Izbrisani grafiti (1997)

Compilations Retro 16 (2000)

With 4 Asa

Studio albums Ljubavna priča iz Dubrovnika (2003) Nakon svih ovih godina (2004)

Live albums Live Zagreb 03. 03. 2003. (2003)

Video albums 4 Asa Live (2003)

Solo Studio albums Žicanje (2005) All Stars (2014)