According to Slobodan Kojić’s memory, it all began in the 1963/64 school year at the “Milan Stančić-Uča” primary school in Kuman, when the music section was taken over by music teacher Svetolik Gvozdenov Tile. The section had about thirty young men and women. Over time, a group of about ten members crystallized, who were the accompanying orchestra for the school choir. At that time, there were very active choir and orchestra competitions. The orchestra performing then was named “Mladost”.
During the holidays, the most persistent continued practicing, not on choir songs, but on what was then called pop music. By the fall of 1964, a group of five members was ready for public performances. Teacher Gvozdenov encouraged them and, as the most respected, gave the group the name LIRE. So, in 1964, the generation born in 1949 celebrated their graduation with the music of LIRA. This event, like all other performances by the group, was also covered by the media. An article appeared in “Naše novine” about the youth, i.e., the orchestra from Kuman, still under the name “Mladost,” as a very successful and promising orchestra.
Freed from prejudices, nervousness, and everything that accompanies beginnings, they began regular performances at dance parties. Despite financial difficulties, the group slowly started equipping itself with new and modern instruments: electric guitars, amplifiers, quality microphones, complete rhythm sections, drums, etc. The accordion was phased out and eventually replaced by electric organs. Time passed quickly, and calls for military service came. New-old members joined the group:
- Svetolik Sekulić-Lika, born 1949.
- Stanisavljev Ljubiša-Brka, born 1949.
- Boško Brusin, born 1951.
- Đura Gladić, born 1950. (who returned from Germany).
With the return from military service and absences for other reasons, in 1971, there was an “excess” of musicians, which created the idea of forming another group called “Grupa 3,” consisting of:
- Radivoj Titin - electric guitar and vocals
- Slobodan Kojić - electric organ and vocals
- Boško Brusin - drums.
This group existed with minor changes until mid-1974, while VIS LIRA continued until the end of that year. Some members joined the new Bečej-based Omegi, while younger musicians came to the Kuman ensembles.
Between 1975 and 1980, the musical ensemble performed under the new name “Omega,” with members including:
- Duško Maksić - lead vocalist and guitar, ensemble leader
- Boško Brusin - drums
- Danijel Mesaroš-Danika, from N. Bečej - guitar
- Zoltan Čeh, from N. Bečej - guitar.
In their rich 15-year music career, they covered a repertoire of music from Čak Berija, Wilson Pickett, Shadows, Beatles, Red Corals between 1964-1970, and from 1970-1980: Beatles, Rolling Stones, Bee Gees, Creedence, Juraj-Hip, Korn group, Index, Pro Arte, Miša Kovač, Duško Lokin, Miki Jevremović, Kića Slabinac, and many other well-known domestic and foreign composers, not only in the entertainment but also in the folk genre.
Their popularity was great. They were known for their high-quality performances throughout Vojvodina. They performed in Novi Sad, Kikinda, Zrenjanin, Bečej, Subotica, and Vršac. Their notable performances included:
- Vršac - grape ball
- Novi Sad - freshman event at the Faculty of Philosophy
- Poreč - during the summer season of 1973
- Mali Lošinj - during the summer
- Baške Vode and Promajna - during the summer
For many years, they played at dance parties in Kuman, Novi Bečej, Melenci, Novi Milošev, and other surrounding places.
On the third evening of January 2001, LIRE performed for the last time, playing in the hall of the primary school. That wonderful evening was mostly attended by somewhat older, now married couples, whose youth coincided with their music. There were also young people who curiously absorbed this echo of old times, probably not believing that their parents had met at a dance or in a park where the spirit of bygone youth reigned. The first song they performed was the love song “Otiđi od nje” by Crveni korali.
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