Vlatko Stefanovski

In 2012, Tommy Emmanuel, Stochelo Rosenberg and himself have formed a band called Kings of Strings, and have embarked on tour in mid-March.

He doesn't use much in the way of effects but some of his main pedals are the Fulltone Full-Drive Mosfet 2 10th Anniversary, the Dunlop Crybaby, the Boss DD-7, the Boss CH-1, the Boss CS-3 and the Turbo Rat.

In 2006, he did a reunion tour with Leb i Sol, touring the former Yugoslavian countries. After the tour, the band resumed without Stefanovski.

Since leaving Leb i Sol, Stefanovski has used his newfound freedom to pursue a myriad of other musical projects. Since 1998, he has toured and played Macedonian folk songs exclusively with fellow guitarist Miroslav Tadić. Unlike his previous works, these have been played mostly on acoustic guitar.

Stefanovski went back to his early ethno-rock roots from Leb i Sol with his VS Trio. Their debut album in 1998 received great critical acclaim and helped define the new Vlatko Stefanovski sound. Stefanovski recorded several solo albums under his own name during this time period. The sound on these albums ranged from pop on 'Kula od Karti' (Eng: 'Tower of Cards') to pure blues on 'Thunder From the Blue Sky'.

Stefanovski began to achieve fame in the Yugoslavian rock scene during his time with Leb i Sol, his third band. The band's first 1977 single Devetka/Nie Cetvoricata already showcased his guitar prowess, while Vlatko was still only 19 years old. They played their first major concert as an opening act for Bijelo Dugme, commonly regarded as Yugoslavia's most popular band. While the band was then virtually unknown, legend has it that the audience and Bijelo Dugme were both blown away by their performance of 'Kokoška' (Eng: 'Hen').

Vlatko Stefanovski has used a variety of guitars and amps. His favourite guitars include a Gibson Les Paul Custom 1959, a Gibson SG, the Fender Stratocaster, Telecaster, Pensa Suhr, Gibson L-5, and Radulovic guitars, Yamaha, Hamer, MK guitars signature and his main guitar, a Leo Scala Signature VS. The amps which he uses at concerts are: DV Mark Bad Boy, Vox AC30, Fender '57 Twin, MK signature VS Overdrive special, Fender Deluxe Reverb 57', Fender Hot Road Deville, and Marshall JCM800.

Born in Prilep on 24 January 1957, he started playing guitar at the age of 13. Stefanovski was one of the founding members of Leb i sol with whom he recorded 13 albums between 1978 and 1991. He currently splits his time playing with his VS Trio, in an acoustic partnership with Miroslav Tadić or composing for film and theatre. Dramatist Goran Stefanovski was his brother.