Hungarian pop

Music of Hungary
Genres
Folk hip hop indie metal opera pop rock
Media and performance
Music awards Hungarian Music Awards Fonogram Music festivals Balaton Sound Budapest Fringe Festival Miskolc Opera Festival Sziget Festival Music media Music television Rádió Rock 95.8
Nationalistic and patriotic songs
National anthem "Himnusz" Other Nemzeti Dal
v t e

Hungarian pop is the pop music scene of Hungary. It is often associated with Rezső Seress's song "Gloomy Sunday" which was covered by numerous artists. The most notable artists include Zsuzsa Cserháti, Kati Kovács, Zsuzsa Koncz, Judith Szűcs, Péter Máté, Locomotiv GT, Omega, Neoton Família, Karthago, Jimmy Zámbó. Among the new talents are András Kállay-Saunders and Linda Király.

History

1930s

One of the early acts is associated with

influence in Hungary, although sources differ as to the degree to which his song was inspired by personal melancholy rather than concerns about the future of the world.

In the 1930s and 1940s Pál Kalmár was one of the most celebrated singers in Hungary. He was also noted for singing the song Gloomy Sunday. He also appeared in the 1935 film St. Peter's Umbrella, directed by Géza von Cziffra.

1940s

Vali Rácz

, actress and singer during the '30s and '40s

In the late 1930s

1950s

In the late 1950s

classical pop lost popularity, she decided to retire permanently. In 1973 – after her daughter's birth – she left the stage and worked as a music teacher. Her notable singles include Ahogy mentem az utcán (1961), Ami szívemen a számon (1964), Egy kicsi szerencse (1965), Első szerelem (1965), Engem nem lehet elfelejteni (1965), Esős vasárnap délután (1965) and many more.

Hová tűnt a sok virág/Ki emlékszik rá (1964) and many more.

1960s

In 1962 the first

.

During the 1960s and 1970s, Ki Mit Tud? became the most-popular and most-viewed show on the Magyar Television. According to rudimentary statistics of the time, the finals were viewed by 88% of the whole population. Using regional quarter- and semi-finals, the contest moved a large number of participants. The 1965's show attracted 28.642 registered contestants performing in 7842 shows, watched by a live audience totaling to 180.000.[5]

In 1962

), but also in France, the United States and Japan.

Kati Kovács became the first famous nationally in 1965 when she won the seminal TV talent show in Hungary "Who Knows What?". A year later, she achieved some even greater successes with her performance of the song I Won't Be Your Plaything (Nem leszek a játékszered) which won the TV Dance Song Festivals in Hungary in 1966. The psychedelic spiritual Lord Send Us Rain (Add már, uram, az esőt!) won the Hungarian Dance Song Festival and the German Song Contest in 1972. In 1974 she won the Castlebar Song Contest in Ireland with the song Roses Are Red, Violets Are Blue. In the 1970s, she made several successful tours abroad, West and East – Germany, United Kingdom, the United States, Cuba and Japan. German, English and Japanese albums appeared. Hungarian musical critics have praised her brown, raspy and very strong voice, and they've called her: "The Best Female Voice of Hungary". She can sing opera, rock, jazz, pop, dance, blues and rock and roll.

In 1965

In 1966 a thirteen-year-girl appeared on the Hungarian pop scene called Klári Katona. Her career started after she sang her song Bővízű Forrás on the Táncdalfesztivál of 1972. She won an award for this song. Later, she provided vocals for Kék Csillag and Neoton, then pursued a solo career. In 1976 she gave concert in Istanbul, Palma de Mallorca, and the musical festival of Sopot. 1977 marked the release of her first album, Savanyú A Csokoládé backed by Ferenc Demjén and Bergendy. Her real success came in the eighties with composer backing of Gábor Presser and Dusán Sztevanovity. She appeared as a host on several Hungarian television channels.

In 1967 Pál Szécsi finished second at the Táncdalfesztivál with his song Csak Egy Tánc. Although he died at an early age (aged 30 in 1974), he became one of the biggest icons of the Hungarian pop history. his songs include Egy szál harangvirág, Gedeon bácsi, Karolina, Kék csillag, Két összeillő ember, and Talán sok év után. On 30 April 1974 he was found dead in his home in Budapest.

In 1967 Sarolta Zalatnay finished first at the Táncdalfesztivál winning the golden microphone award as well. Her first record was Ha Fiú Lehetnék which was followed by many other records. Among her famous songs are Hol jár az eszem?, Túl szép volt, Nem várok holnapig, Oh, ha milliomos lennék, Nem vagyok én apáca, János bácsi pipája and many more.

In 1968 the band Illés won the Táncdalfesztivál, while Neoton Família won the Ki Mit Tud? with their song Nekem Eddig Bach Volt Mindenem.

In 1969 György Korda won the songcontest, Made in Hungary. Later, in 1972 and 1973 he won the same competition as the best performer. His first album was released in 1970 with the eponymous name followed by several other records. Among his famous songs are Aki melletted él, Bocsánat, hogyha kérdem, Haver a nőkkel jól vigyázz, Rozsda lepi már az emlékeimet, Fehér galamb, Szeress úgy is, ha rossz vagyok and many more. In the 1980s he married Balázs Klári who was also a popular singer of the 1980s.

1970s

In 1971 Neoton Família's first studio album was released entitled Bolond Város. Later the band became one of the most popular pop bands in the 1980s' Hungary releasing more than 20 albums. Among their most famous songs there are: Don Quijote (1980), Marathon (1980), 220 fellett (1981), Monte Carlo (1982), Holnap Hajnalig (1983), I Love You (1986) and many more.

In 1972, Judith Szűcs won two victories in the national competition "Ki mit tud?" (Literally: "Who knows what?"). The singer's first album was called Táncolj még (1978) and in a few days this album became a gold plate. Her other albums from the turn of the 70's and 80's were similarly successful. In those years, audiences in Europe considered her the "Disco Queen" of Eastern Europe. Her songs were played on all radiosand and on Hungarian television they did excellent show-programs with the singer. At the Neewollah Festival (USA) in 1983, she won the 1st Prize and the Grand Jury Prize. She sang Szeverevetlevek and Unsent Letter songs here. Her biggest hits are: Táncolj még! (1977), Ha táncolsz velem (1978), Gyere a diszkó klub elé (1978), Járd el a Zorba dalát (1979), A tanítás után (1980), Száguldás (1980), Meleg az éjszaka (1980), Didididididididergek (1982), Itt a karácsony (1983), Elkéstem (1988), Mondd, mit tegyek, hogy érezd (1998), Elvarázsoltál (2007).

In 1972 Zsuzsa Cserháti performed the songs Nem volt ő festő and Repülj, Kismadár at the Táncdalfesztivál. Six years later in 1976 her first studio album was released, followed by several other records such as Többé Nincs Megállás, Édes Kisfiam, Rácsaim Ledőltek Már and many more. Her famous songs include Kicsi Gyere Velem Rózsát Szedni (1973), Árva Fiú (1973), Boldogság, gyere haza (1979), A Boldogság és Én (1981), Száguldás, Porsche, Szerelem (1984) and Hamu és Gyémánt (1996).

In 1973 Péter Máté won the Hungarian songcontest, Made in Hungary with the song Hull Az Elsárgult levél.

In 1973 Judit Halász's first studio album was released entitled Kép A Tükörben. Later she became popular as the singer of children songs. She is also noted for singing the poems of famous Hungarian poets such as Ferenc Móra, Mihály Babits, Attila József, Sándor Weöres and many more.

In 1975

.

In 1977 Ferenc Demjén's first studio album was released entitled Fújom A Dalt. Later he released more than 20 records and became a pop-icon in Hungary. He also worked with Klári Katona and Kati Kovács on their first albums. His song for the film Szerelem első vérig (1987) topped the Hungarian charts for 8 months. His notable songs include Hogyan Tudnék Élni Nélküled?, Szerelemvonat, Honfoglalás, Jégszív, Ne sírj, Féktelen Éj and many more.

1980s

In 1980 former Illés and Fongráf singer-songwriter János Bródy's first solo album was released entitled Hungarian Blues. Later he started writing lyrics for Zsuzsa Koncz and for the musical István, a király.

In 1981 Klári Balázs's first studio album was released. She became popular as the singer of the bands Periszkóp and Skála. Later she married György Korda, who was also a popular singer at that time, and released several albums with her husband.

In 1983 the Szikora-Környei-led band R-GO's first studio album was released with the eponymous title. Later the band released several other records and became one of the leading bands of the 1980s pop scene. Their most famous songs include Ballag A Katona, Szeretlek Is, Meg Nem Is, Ne Félj, Te Kis Bolond and Szerelmes Vagyok, Mint Egy Nagyágyú.

In 1983 Neoton Famila won a special award for their song Holnap Hajnalig which was performed in English (Time Goes By) at the World Popular Song Festival.

In 1984 Első Emelet's eponymous first studio album was released, followed by several other albums.

Also in 1984, Csepregi Éva, lead singer of

.

On 9 September 1984 singer-songwriter Péter Máté was found dead. With only three full-length studio albums, he managed to become one of the most prominent and popular singer of Hungary. His song Elmegyek became a worldwide hit with the title Nicolas sung by Sylvie Vartan in 1979.

On 5 February 1986, Éva Mikes died in Budapest after a long battle with cancer.

In late 1986, new wave/pop band Z'Zi Labor had a big hit with a cover of

in July 1986.

1986 also saw the release of the first album by Napoleon Boulevard, a project started by former members of prog-rock band Solaris, in collaboration with vocalist

go platinum

between 1986 and 1993.

1990s

On 8 February 1990, Katalin Karády died in New York City and she was buried on 19 February 1990 at the Farkasréti Cemetery. She was posthumously awarded the Righteous Among the Nations by the Knesset in 2004. Although she was mainly an actress, she was also noted for her songs.

Record producer Peter Erdos also died in 1990. He had effectively been the head of the entire Hungarian music industry for decades, responsible for many of the greatest bands but also widely criticised for his numerous controversies and his ability to

, ushered in a new era of freedom for Hungarian pop music.

Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary for his contribution to Hungarian music

In 1991 Jimmy Zámbó released his first album entitled Csak Egy Vallomás. Later he became the most romantic singer of the country with his songs such as Valahol Bús Dal Szól, Még Nem Veszíthetek, Szeress úgy, ahogy itt vagyok, Ugye nem bántad meg, Fogadj Örökbe and many other. His success can be attributed to the tastes of the Hungarian music listeners who immediately took to Zámbó's melancholic songs.

In 1993 Ákos Kovács disbanded Bonanza Banzai and released his first pop album entitled Karcolatok. Later he released several albums even in English language as well.

In 1993 Andrea Szulák represented Hungary at the Eurovision Song Contest 1993 with her song Árva Reggel.

In 1995

received the Order of the Hungarian Republic Small Cross.

In 1996 the Dobrády-Zuber-led T.N.T.'s first album was released by Warner Music Group. The band became one of the most successful pop bands in the late 1990s and the early 2000s. Their most famous songs include Lakatlan Sziget (1999), Sírni Tudnék, Holnap Hazautazom (1999), Bolond Aki Sír (2000), Tiltott Perc (2001), Nem Jön Álom A Szememre (2001), Kicsi Gesztenye (2002), Hova Visz A Hajó (2003), and Egyetlen Szó (2003). The T.N.T. were disbanded in 2005.

In 1997 the band V.I.P. represented Hungary at the Eurovision Song Contest 1997 with their Miért Kell Hogy Elmenj?.

2000s

In 2000 the band Illés were awarded with the Kossuth Prize.

On 1 January 2001, Jimmy Zámbó was found dead in his home in Csepel, Budapest. He is considered as one of the most popular singers of the 1990s in Hungary.

In 2003

and many others.

In 2006 the first

, dance, music and comedy outside the mainstream.

In 2007 the

2007 Eurovision Song Contest

In 2007 Veronika Harcsa was awarded as the Best Voice of the Fringe at the Budapest Fringe Festival.

In 2009

in 2011.

2010s

In 2010 the Hungarian

.

In 2011 the band Compact Disco's sophomore record was released entitled II following the debut album Stereoid including the hit song Feel The Rain.^[13]

On 24 December 2011, Zsuzsi Mary was found dead in her home in Budapest. She committed suicide on Christmas Eve, aged 64.^[14][15][16] According to Magyar Távirati Iroda (MTI) her body was found the next day, 25 December 2011.^[17] Her suicide was confirmed by her second husband, György Klapka.^[18]

In 2012

finished 24th receiving only 19 points. The band became one of the most prominent electro-pop bands in the country along with others such as Carbonfools, Colorstar and Anima Sound System.

The Hungarian Eurovision Song Contest, the

On 11 March 2013, László Bódi, the singer of the pop-rock band Republic, died of heart failure.^[20]

where he placed fifth.

Hungarian pop bands and artists

Notable musicians of Hungarian descent

Hungarian producers

Hungarian pop records

Date	Band	Record	Reviews	Label/Release	Producer(s)
1967	Illés	Ezek A Fiatalok
1969	Omega	10 000 lépés
1970	Omega	Éjszakai országút
1971	Lokomotiv GT	Locomotiv GT
1972	Lokomotiv GT	Ringasd el magad
1973	Lokomotiv GT	Bummm!
1971	Lokomotiv GT	Mindig magasabbra
1976	Lokomotiv GT	Locomotiv GT V.
1977	Lokomotiv GT	Zene - Mindenki másképp csinálja
1978	Lokomotiv GT	Mindenki
2003	Linda Király	Number 1		King Music Management	Linda Király
2006	Magdolna Rúzsa	Ördögi angyal		CLS Records	Gábor Závodi & Gábor Presser
2007	The Moog	Sold for Tomorrow	[21][22]	MuSick Records	Jack Endino
2007	EZ Basic	Hocus Focus	[23][24]	self-released	Szabolcs Puha
2007	Žagar	Cannot Walk Fly Instead	[25]
2008	Zoli Ádok	Tánclépés			Zoli Ádok
2009	Compact Disco	Stereoid		CLS Music	Compact Disco
2009	The Moog	Razzmatazz Orfeum	[26][27][28][29][30][31][32]	MuSick Records	Geoff Ott
2010	EZ Basic	Hello Heavy	[33][34]	Twelvetones Records	George Schilling
2011	Zoli Ádok	Három álom			Zoli Ádok
2011	Compact Disco	II		CLS Music	Compact Disco
2012	The Moog	Seasons in the Underground	[35][36][37][38][39] Ki kicsoda a magyar zeneéletben? Szerk. Székely András. Bp., Zeneműkiadó, 1979, 1988. Kiss István Zoltán: Magyar könnyűzenei lexikon 1962-től. Bp., Zaj-Zone, 1998. Könnyűzenei lexikon. Szerk. Sebők János-Szabó Béla. Bp., Idegenforgalmi Propaganda és Kiadó Vállalat, 1987. Tardos Péter: Rock lexikon. 2. jav., bőv. kiad. Zeneműkiadó, Bp., 1982. Zoltán János: Képes pop-rock enciklopédia. [Bp.], Yellow & Blue Kft., 1999.	MuSick Records	Ken Scott

See also

• Hungarian alternative
• Hungarian indie
• Hungarian metal
• Hungarian rock
• Ki mit tud?
• Megasztár
• Táncdalfesztivál
• X-Faktor

References