Josipa Lisac and Karlo Metikoš – Yugoslavia’s Most Beautiful Love Stories
They met on February 6, 1971, in Petrinja during a performance when Josipa was 21, and Karlo was ten years older. The story goes that it was love at first sight.
He already had the status of a true rock musician in Yugoslavia and a very successful career in France under the pseudonym Matt Collins. Despite being so young, Josipa had already spent a decade in music, singing in the Children’s Choir of Radio-Television Zagreb and rock bands O’Hara and Zlatni Akordi. Karlo was captivated by her vocal abilities, effortlessly covering everything from classical music to ethnic songs and modern avant-garde melodies.
He, along with Ivica Krajač, was the author of all the songs on her first studio album, “Dnevnik jedne ljubavi” (Diary of a Love), released in 1973. They collaborated on 13 LP albums and CDs, producing hits like “Magla,” “Hir, hir, hir,” “Lisica,” “Danas sam luda,” “Dok razmišljam o nama,” and others. They also worked on the first Croatian rock opera, “Gubec-beg,” in 1975, seen by over a million people, and Josipa still performs the aria Ave Maria from it at concerts.
“At the end of May 1977, we performed ‘Gubec beg’ at the Sistina Theater in Rome, in the presence of the great director Federico Fellini. From Rome, we went to America. It was my big desire. I had many desires, but I was lucky that I had someone with me who wanted and could, in all his strength and fullness, make it happen – Karlo Metikoš. It was more than just support. Through such a relationship, we became one. He made Josipa Lisac, me, what I am. Everything was so beautiful…” Josipa once said.
After three years, they returned to Zagreb with the album “Made in USA.” Connoisseurs say there are two Josipas: before and after America. Josipa became herself after America. “This is my choice, whether someone likes it or not. I stand by it.” She also changed her stage performance, shocking the public with her wardrobe, makeup, and hairstyle. At the Messam 87 in Belgrade, she covered the entire stage with a 100-square-meter coat-dress.
For twenty years, Karlo and Josipa were inseparable, though not officially married. “We didn’t get married, what’s the point, we loved each other,” says Josipa. “I don’t understand why people rush to get married today. They think that just having lunch under the same roof and making love afterward is enough for a marriage. They are not ready for sacrifices. They don’t give up their egos. In fact, they don’t love themselves, let alone others. And then they wonder why a scandal breaks out after three months and a divorce after three years. It’s terrible even when people speak badly about their partners. My friend says: I hate when he goes into my purse. Why? Karlo used to organize my purse. He didn’t want me to carry the load on my shoulder. Why shouldn’t he organize it? We had no secrets! We never spoke monstrously to each other as I hear people talk today. We never cursed at each other or slammed doors. Whatever we had to say to each other, we said it immediately; we didn’t leave it for later. We solved everything through conversation. If one of us was indisposed or stressed, the other would lift them up. That’s how we alternated and functioned,” Josipa Lisac revealed.
Their love was interrupted by Karlo’s sudden death on December 10, 1991. In his honor, Josipa organizes concerts every year to keep alive interest in their musical and love story that continues today. “I remember him for all the craziness he did, and I immediately start laughing. When he saw that I was not in a good mood, he would start making me laugh, doing antics until he cheered me up. He was extremely witty. He was always in great company, and the more people laughed, the funnier he became. It was total madness. Karlo was a gentleman, but he had a touch of mischief. He enchanted everyone, men and women alike.”
In fact, death did not truly separate them. Josipa dedicates every minute on stage to him, writes him letters, loves him… She says she has never even thought about another man – “I haven’t because my heart is full, and nothing else can fit into it.”
