The Ultimate Guide to the Hungarian Music Scene – 48 Bands and Musicians You Need to Hear
Hungarian Music During the Communist Regime and Hippie Times: The 70s and 60s
Locomotiv GT (or LGT)
Our pick: Ringasd el magad (released 1978)
Because: Hilarious video featuring the locomotive as a manually driven rail-trolley plus an amazing jazzy-ish saxophone-solo.
Genre: rock, progressive rock
Years active: 1971–1992, 1997–2016
Summary: Legends (especially singer, songwriter and keyboardist Gábor Presser who played in Omega and in different solo-projects) and big influencers of the Hungarian rock music. Sound wise they covered and mixed the full-on range from rock to pop with jazz and funk elements and despite their peak era was in the 70s, nearly every Hungarian still knows their name today.
See more: wikipedia, LGT fan-club on facebook
Piramis
Our pick: A Becsület (released 1977)
Because: Stunning outfits and a dancing style that is hard to forget. Deep Purple meets Steppenwolf!
Genre: rock, hard rock, new wave
Years active: 1974 – 1982, 2009 – present
Summary: One of the most popular Hungarian rock bands of the late 70s. Their rare concerts nowadays are huge events end they still rock the big arenas.
See more: homepage
Zorán
Our pick: Apám hitte (released 1977)
Because: It’s about the love between father and son and the lyrics are really beautiful.
Genre: guitar-pop
Years active: 1960 – today
Summary: Zorán undoubtedly produced some beautiful, heartbraking, uplifting and melancholic songs over the years. His music is generally calming and well-liked throughout multiple age groups.
See more: wikipeda
Bergendy
Our pick: (released 1976)
Because: You will absolutely love this true 70s hippie live act and the hairdos.
Genre: jazz-rock, rock’n’roll
Years active: 1962 – present
Summary: Incredible hair-styles, stunning outfits and a combination of jazz, swing and rock’n’roll made this band to Hungarian legends.
Tamás Cseh
Our pick: Széna tér (released 1972)
Because: It’s a beautifully sad song about war and the Nazi occupation of Budapest.
Genre: composer, singer song writer
Years active: 1965 – 2009
Summary: Renowned and highly honored singer songwriter, sometimes called the Hungarian Bob Dylan. In his songs he often poetically addresses the problems of society and human beings.
See more: wikipedia
Illés-együttes
Our pick: Ne gondold (released 1969)
Because: Beatles meets Beach Boys.
Genre: pop, beat, folk-rock
Years active: 1957–1973, 1981, 1983, 1990, 1992, 1996, 2001, 2005, 2014
Summary: We can for sure call Illés the Hungarian Beatles. They had their peak in popularity in the 60s and early 70s. Today they are considered as one of the most important Hungarian Bands that ever existed, and real icons of the Hungarian music history. By the way, did you know that rock music in the satellites such as that of Illés played a crucial role in the fall of communism due to the messages they were able to spread? Illés was part of this exact rock movement in the 60s and 70s and they were even heavily censored during the 70s. Read more about this in this seriously fascinating Wikipedia article.
See more: wikipedia
Omega
Our pick: Gyöngyhajú lány (released 1969)
Because: Who could argue with Kanye West?! (See below.)
Genre: psychedelic rock, hard rock, progressive rock, space rock
Years active: 1962–1987, 1994–present
Summary: Legends among the Hungarian rock bands. Even Kanye West liked them; so much that he sampled their song above in his “New Slaves”. He just forgot to ask for permission. But it was not just Kanye. Even the Scorpions covered that song with new English lyrics in White Dove.
See more: wikipedia
Kovács Kati
Our pick: Nem leszek a játékszered (released 1966)
Because: This is a really strong song by a really strong and talented woman.
Genre: pop, soul, jazz, rock
Years active: 1962 – present
Summary: Kovács Kati is a prizewinning and internationally known singer, songwriter and actress. She had successful collaborations with LGT and Vangelis (among others). She is probably the most famous singer of Hungary.
See more: wikipedia
Next Page – Classical Hungarian Music: Before 1945
Overview:
- The Latest Bests of the Hungarian Music Scene – The 10s
- Hungarian Music around the Turn of the Millenium – The 00s
- Hungarian Music after the Transition – The 90s
- Hungarian Music during Late Socialism – The 80s
- Hungarian Music During the Communist Regime and Hippie Times: The 70s and 60s
- Classical Hungarian Music: Before 1945
Could you post the names of the songs in the Muzsikás video? I know the first one is “Nem úgy van most mint volt régen.” And I know the last song, “Betyárnóta.” I would love to know what the 2nd, 3rd and 4th songs are. Thank you!
Hi Joyce,
the songs in the Muzsikás video are:
00:00 Nem úgy van most mint volt régen
04:37 Adjon Isten minden jót
07:51 Tudod-e édesem
11:59 Vonat
15:33 Hulljatok levelek
Enjoy 🙂
Thank you! I realized after I posted that the last one wasn’t Betyárnótá. That was another Muzsikás song that I learned at the same time.
Hello there, I remember the guys from a band called Garazs in 1984. They were very welcoming and friendly but sadly I can’t remember their names. I was visiting as a young music and political radio journalist from Australia.