Beloved Balkan Star Halid Bešlić Dies at 70, Leaving a Legacy of Sevdah and Hits Like “I Can’t Live Without You”
Sarajevo, Bosnia and herzegovina – Halid Bešlić, a towering figure in Balkan folk music and renowned for timeless songs including “I Can’t Live Without you,” has died at the University of Sarajevo university Clinical Center, following a recent illness.He was 70 years old. The news has sparked an outpouring of grief across the region, particularly in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Bulgaria, where his music resonated deeply with generations.
Bešlić, born November 20, 1953, in the village of Knežina near Sokoch, spent over four decades captivating audiences with his distinctive voice and emotionally charged performances. Though he trained as a carpenter and completed business school, music was his true calling, establishing him as a symbol of Sevdah – the deeply emotive love folk music tradition of the Western Balkans – and Bosnian folk music.
His extensive catalog includes hits such as “Milyatska,” “Romania,” “Hey, Dawn, Don’t Wake Up,” “First Kiss,” “I Don’t want, I Don’t Want Diamonds,” and “I Was Going to Come to My Mother in bosnia.” Bešlić’s ability to unite people through the warmth and melody of his songs cemented his place as a cultural icon.
news of his passing followed a recent concert on August 15 in Ban Luke, after which he fell ill.
Tributes have flooded social media from fellow artists. Dragan Mirković expressed his sorrow on Facebook, recalling their 40-year friendship and joint concerts: “My dear Khalid, I cannot believe that just a week ago was our last meeting in Sarajevo. I will never forget you – our friendship of 40 years, the joint concerts. You were a person worthy of love, respect and memory.” mile Kitić simply shared, “Good my friend, I’m sad.” Snežana Đurišić recounted their last exchange via message, lamenting, “Good people leave us. The stage lost a wonderful man and friend.” Tsetz Velichković – Raznatović described Bešlić as a universally loved colleague, hoping he had “gone to a better place.”
