At the start of his career in the 1970s, he signed a contract with the record label Jugoton, seeded in Zagreb. At his peak, he was one of the biggest stars in Yugoslavia – selling millions of copies and receiving recognition from public and critics as well. After signing a record contract with PGP-RTB, a major and high-rated music production company in Yugoslavia, Brkan moved to Belgrade and lived in a hotel for six months. In 1976, he released his first single "Tvoje oči garave" ("Your Dark Eyes"), composed by well respected author Mijat Božović. It was followed by the singles "Ne ruši mi sreću, nepoznata ženo!" ("Do Not Crush My Love, Unknown Woman", 1978) and "Jednom sam i ja volio" ("I, Too, Once Loved", July 1979), both composed by Aca Stepić.