The Non-Aligned socialist Yugoslavia was never part of the Eastern Bloc and it was open to western influences (the West to some extent even supported Yugoslavia as a "buffer zone" to the Warsaw Pact). The new wave scene in Yugoslavia emerged in the late 1970s and had a significant impact on the Yugoslav culture. The Yugoslav rock scene in general, including the freshly arrived new wave music, was socially accepted, well developed and covered in the media. New wave was especially advocated by the magazines Polet from Zagreb and Džuboks from Belgrade, as well as the TV show Rokenroler, which was famous for its artistic music videos.

This anti-establishment movement was even supported, although moderately, by the Communist authorities, particularly by the Communist youth organisation which often organized concerts, festivals, parties, exhibitions, and other cultural events. The lyrics that were criticizing and satirizing the flaws of the Yugoslav socialism were considered by the authorities as a "useful and friendly critique" and were often tolerated with certain cases of censorship.

The Yugoslav new wave period is still considered the "Golden Age" of pop and rock music

Emerging from the short-lived punk explosion, New Wave was an alternative ideology and musical genre, with an emphasis on originality and pushing creative and social boundaries. Whereas in the West, punk and its successor, post-punk, or New Wave, were viewed as opponents of capitalism, in Yugoslavia these movements were seen as invaluable critics of socialism and a voice for the working classes.

Dubravka Markovic was born on December 26, 1960 in Belgrade, Serbia, Yugoslavia. Host of the 80s show 'Hit Meseca' (Hit of the Month) which was a sort of Yugoslav 'Top of the Pops'. She is an actress, known for The Harms Case (1987), Rock and Revolution (1986) and Limunovo drvo (2015).

Vladimir "Vlada" Divljan (10 May 1958 – 4 March 2015), was a Serbian singer and songwriter. He was known as the frontman for the Serbian and Yugoslav rock band Idoli, one of the bands which initiated the Yugoslav new wave on the music and cultural scene of Yugoslavia in the 1980s, as well as for his solo works

Jasenko Houra was born on June 3, 1960 in Virovitica, Croatia, Yugoslavia. Best known as the guitarist and singer of the Croatian rock band Prljavo kazalište.

Srđan Gojković Gile was born on April 8, 1961 , Belgrade, Serbia, Yugoslavia is founding member and leader of 'Električni Orgazam'.is an actor and composer, known for The Fall of Rock & Roll (1989), The Black Bomber (1992) and We Are Not Angels 2 (2005).

Srđan Šaper born October 9, 1958 is a founder of I&F McCann Grupa. He is also well known as a founder and a member of the Yugoslav new wave band Idoli in the 1980s

Marina Perazić   music singer, born May 29, 1958 in Sušak - Rijeka, Croatia, Yugoslavia . Best known as singer in 'Denis & Denis'

Dušan "Gera" Gerzić (born March 4, 1961, Belgrade, Serbia, FPR Yugoslavia - died January 1998, Belgrade, Serbia) was a Yugoslav and Serbian musician, graphic designer, photographer and filmmaker. He was the founder of 1980's new wave band Via Talas.

Branimir "Johnny" Štulić (born 11 April 1953) is a Yugoslav singer-songwriter, musician and author, best known for being the frontman of the popular former Yugoslav rock group Azra. He is known for his charismatic stage performances and inspiring song lyrics that often combined rock poetry with a strong sense for social commentary, becoming a cult figure.

Zoran Kostić Cane  (born 17 August 1964 in Belgrade) widely known by his nickname Cane is frontman and vocalist of Serbian rock band 'Partibrejkers' and newly assembled supergroup 'Škrtice'. Before 'Partibrejkers' Cane was member of 'Urbana Gerila' and 'Radnička Kontrola' bands.

Ivan "Ivica" Vdović (23 February 1961 – 25 September 1992), also known as Vd, was a Serbian musician, drummer of Yugoslav rock bands such as Suncokret, Šarlo Akrobata and Katarina II

Anja Rupel (born 19 March 1966) is a Slovene pop singer, songwriter, radio announcer, and journalist.  In 1982, she began to perform as lead vocalist with the prominent synthpop group Videosex, which became very popular in the former Yugoslavia. The group recorded four albums. Their debut album, Videosex 84 appeared in 1983 and they played with bands such as Ekatarina Velika and Otroci Socializma in Belgrade. The group broke up in 1992.

Milan Mladenović  Born 21 Sept 1958 in Zagreb, died 5 November 1994 in Belgrade.
Frontman, guitarist, lead vocals singer and songwriter of Ekatarina Velika.