Those whose familiarity with this group is based on SCORPIONS’ idealistic interpretation and Kanye West’s scandalous sampling of their 1968 classic “Gyöngyhajú lány” can hardly imagine
OMEGA’s status on an Eastern European music scene. In the Cold War era when rock was largely prohibited in The Warsaw Pact countries, the Budapest band used to shine like a beacon, and now the time has finally come for the wider world to bask in their light. Omega was formed in Budapest in 1962 by Benkő and Kóbor, with trombonist Győző Bánkúti, drummer Tamás Künsztler, saxophonist Péter Láng, guitarist Ferenc Tornóczky, and bassist István Varsányi. The members had all been in previous bands at the same grammar school.
Omega were a Hungarian rock band formed in 1962, which has been described as the most successful Hungarian band in history. They have been characterrized as "the giants of Hungarian
Prog - Hard Rock". They released more than 20 albums both in Hungarian and English, and one in German. After several early personnel changes, their classic lineup came together in 1971 and was intact for more than forty years. Singer János Kóbor was with the band continuously from 1962 until his death in 2021; keyboardist/singer László Benkő was present from 1962 until his death in 2020. Guitarist György Molnár and bassist Tamás Mihály joined in 1967, and drummer Ferenc Debreczeni joined in 1971. The band won several prestigious awards for their contributions to Hungarian culture.
The band sealed their success with two subsequent LPs, "10,000 Lépés" (10,000 Steps) (1969) and "Éjszakai Országút" (On the Highway at Night) (1970). Their 1969 song "Gyöngyhajú lány" (The
Girl with Pearls in Her Hair) became their first international hit and was later reworked by the Scorpions into "White Dove" in the mid-'90s. In 1971, keyboardist Gábor Presser and drummer József Laux left the band to form another group, Locomotiv GT. Presser was a deeply felt loss since he authored most of Omega's compositions at the time. Lyricist Anna Adamis followed her husband Laux to his new band.
The breakup was later reflected in Omega's 1971 song "Hütlen Barátok" (Unfaithful Friends). When László Benkö, who was the band's original keyboardist (and learned to play trumpet and flute), resumed
his original position and Ferenc Debreceni became the new drummer, Omega reached its definitive lineup: János Kóbor (vocals), Tamás Mihály (bass, vocals), Ferenc Debreceni (drums), György Molnár (guitars), and László Benkö (keyboards, vocals). While with Presser, the band's sound tended to be somewhat psychedelic and fuzzy, but Benkö's classically influenced keyboards and Molnár's guitar assumed a much greater focus under Benkö's leadership.
The group remained active in the 21st century, touring and recording occasionally, both in their traditional format and with an orchestra under the billing "Omega Rapsody." Keyboard player and co-founder László Benkő died on November 19, 2020 at the age of 77. Bassist Tamás Mihály passed away just a
few days later on November 21, 2021 at the age of 73. Lead singer János Kóbor died due to complications from the COVID-19 virus on December 6, 2021; he was 78. The band's manager has indicated that the remaining members will not perform under the Omega name in the future but tribute concerts in different formations may occur. As a finale to the band's 60-year history and in memory of the deceased band members, the remaining musicians joined with friends and performed as "Omega Testamentum Orchestra" at a three-day festival in Őriszentpéter from 12 to 14 August 2022.
ALBUMS ON THIS POST
02. EJSZAKAI ORSZAGUT 1970
03. ELO OMEGA (LIVE) 1972
04. OMEGA 5 1973
05. GREATEST PERFORMANCES 2012
06. ANTHOLOGY 1968 - 1979 2017
01. 10000 LEPES 1969
Omega was a rock band that had its peak in their home of in the '60 through the mid '70s in communist-era
Hungry. This album is from 1969 a time when the government eased up on culture, even rock bands. Although they had some success in Hungary and other bands in Eastern Europe, they never made it "big" in The West. By 1975 the government changed its mind, and tightened their grip on Rock 'n' roll music, including this band, and this was likely the greatest reason why they call it quits in '75. At least until the Soviet Union collapsed in 1989. I highly recommend streaming this album.
Omega – 1969 - 10000 Lépés
Label: Hungaroton – HCD 17400
Format: CD, Album, Reissue, Remastered 2003
Country: Hungary
Released: 1969
Genre: Rock
Style: Psychedelic Rock, Hard Rock, Prog Rock
TRACKS
01. Petróleumlámpa 3:14
Lyrics By – Adamis Anna
Music By – Presser Gábor
02. Gyöngyhajú Lány 5:49
Lyrics By – Adamis Anna
Music By – Presser Gábor
03. Tűzvihar 3:09
Lyrics By – Adamis Anna
Music By – Molnár György
04. Udvari Bolond Kenyere 3:32
Lyrics By – Adamis Anna
Music By – Presser Gábor
05. Kérgeskezű Favágok 8:15
Lyrics By – Presser Gábor
Music By – Laux József
06. Tékozló Fiúk 4:34
Lyrics By – Adamis Anna
Music By – Presser Gábor
07. Tízezer Lépés 6:13
Lyrics By – Adamis Anna
Music By – Presser Gábor
08. 1958-as Boogie-Woogie Klubban 2:14
Lyrics By – Adamis Anna
Music By – Presser Gábor
09. Spanyolgitár Legenda 3:24
Lyrics By – Adamis Anna
Music By – Mihály Tamás
10. Félbeszakadt Koncert 4:00
Lyrics By – Adamis Anna
Music By – Kóbor János
Bónusz
11. Halott Virágok 1:56
Lyrics By – Adamis Anna
Music By – Presser Gábor
12. Nem Tilthatom Meg 4:15
Lyrics By – S. Nagy István
Music By – Presser Gábor
13. Volt Egy Bohóc 4:09
Lyrics By – Adamis Anna
Music By – Presser Gábor
14. Régi Csibészek 2:35
Lyrics By – Adamis Anna
Music By – Presser Gábor
15. Naplemente 4:05
Lyrics By – Adamis Anna
Music By – Presser Gábor
Total time: 61:37
LINE - UP
János Kóbor: lead vocals
Gábor Presser: keyboards, backing vocals, lead vocal (B2, B3)
Laszlo Benkő: keyboards, trumpet, backing vocals
Tamas Mihály: bass, backing vocal, lead vocal (B4)
György Molnár: guitar
József Laux: drums, percussion
Flac Size: 364 MB
02. EJSZAKAI ORSZAGUT 1970
Éjszakai országút (literal translation: Night highway) is the third studio album by the Hungarian rock band Omega, released in 1970. It was the last band album with keyboardist/vocalist Gábor Presser and drummer József Laux, who departed and formed Locomotiv GT. Arguably one of the best albums of the group
Omega. And it's the farewell LP of keyboardist, singer-songwriter Presser Gabor, the soul of the line-up (also drummer Laux Joseph), who would go on to found the epoch-making group LGT. It will be the creative end of Omega and the beginning of the career of the most successful Hungarian group Locomotiv GT. This album can be compared to the best projects of the world rock scene. An indispensable item in the audio collection of every audiophile of that time!
Omega – 1970 - Éjszakai Országút
Label: Hungaroton – HCD 17414
Format: CD, Album, Reissue, Remastered 2003
Country: Hungary
Released: 1970
Genre: Rock
Style: Prog Rock, Psychedelic Rock
TRACKS
01. Oh, Jöjj 4:00
02. Ahol A Boldogságot Osztották 4:17
03. Maradj Velem 4:24
04. Oh, Barbarella 3:10
05. H., Az Elektromos Fűrész 4:21
Composed By – Molnár György
06. Az Éjszakai Országúton 3:48
07. Utcán, A Téren 2:53
08. Van Egy Szó 3:23
09. Utazás A Szürke Folyón 5:43
10. Olyan Szépen Mosolygott 3:00
11. Egy Kis Pihenő 1:11
12. Vészkijárat 5:13
13. Ballada A Fegyverkovács Fiáról 4:27
14. Sötét A Város 4:37
15. Ülök A Hoban 5:00
LINE - UP
János Kóbor – lead vocals
Gábor Presser – organ, piano, vibraphone, backing vocals, lead vocal (A2, A4)
Laszlo Benkő – flute, trumpet, piano, backing vocal
Tamas Mihály – bass guitar, cello, backing vocals
György Molnár – guitar
József Laux – drums, percussion
Flac Size: 383 MB
03. ELO OMEGA (LIVE) 1972
I have listened this album in 1980's, it is live album, on Hungarian, and some of the songs have find their place on omega III. Hard rock, with few beautiful, really beautiful ballads. Music had sense in that time.
Given the odd origin of this live album - issued independently by the band themselves instead of the intended but allegedly censored studio album "200 évvel az utolsó háború után" - it is a very good one. OMEGA sounds very powerful and strong on stage. It's still mainly a trendy hard rock sound with several nice ballads, and again one redundant blues improvisation... But, just listen to "Egy nehéz év után","Hútlen barátok" or "Varázslatos, fehér kõ" and you'll experience excellent performing with fiery prog rock energy!
Omega – 1972 - Élő Omega
Label: Enigmatic Records – ENICD 09
Format: CD, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release 2012
Country: Austria
Released: 1972
Genre: Rock
Style: Folk Rock, Prog Rock
TRACKS
Written-By – Kóbor, Mihály
02. Blues 3:38
Written-By – Molnár
03. Egy Nehéz Év Után 5:52
Written-By – Kóbor, Sülyi, Mihály
04. Törékeny Lendület 4:14
Written-By – Molnár, Kóbor, Sülyi
05. Omegauto 4:32
Written-By – Molnár, Kóbor, Sülyi
06. Régvárt Kedvesem 5:21
Written-By – Kóbor, Mihály
07. Emlék (Csenddé Vált Szerelem) 3:37
Written-By – Kóbor, Sülyi, Mihály
08. Eltakart Világ (Egy Perc Nyugalom) 5:20
Written-By – Kóbor, Sülyi, Mihály
09. Varázslatos, Fehér Kő 9:06
Written-By – Debreceni, Molnár, Kóbor, Benkő, Sülyi, Mihály
BONUS TRACKS
10. Szex-Apo 3:08
11. 200 Évvel Az Utolsó Háború Után 5:29
12. Szomoru Történet 6:15
13. Hütlen Barátok 5:10
14. Régvárt Kedvesem 5:07
15. 200 Évvel Az Utolsó Háború Után 5:16
NOTES
tracks 10 + 11 are studio outtakes 1972
tracks 12 - 15 are hungarian singles 1971
Flac Size: 554 MB
04. OMEGA 5 1973
the lyrics (unless you speak Hungarian). One of Omega’s heaviest but also strongest albums. Good music and lyrics material. Containing versions of work which was subsequently released in the English language, eastern European engineering technology was still not up to par with western standards in 1973 when this album was released.
Omega – 1973 - Omega 5
Label: Hungaroton – HCD 37628, Mega – (92/M-049)
Format: CD, Album, Reissue, Repress
Country: Hungary
Released: 1973
Genre: Rock
Style: Prog Rock
TRACKS
01. A Hazug Lány 3:06
Music By – Kóbor J., Mihály T.
02. A Madár 3:37
Music By – Molnár Gy., Kóbor J.
03. Én Elmegyek 4:22
Music By – Molnár Gy., Kóbor J.
04. A Jövendőmondó 3:27
Music By – Kóbor J., Mihály T.
05. Járt Itt Egy Boldog Ember 3:41
Music By – Kóbor J., Mihály T.
06. Búcsúztató 4:59
Music By – Molnár Gy., Kóbor J.
SZVIT
07. Ébredés 5:39
Lyrics By – Sülyi, P.
Music By – Kóbor J., Mihály, T.
08. A Malomban 3:49
Lyrics By – Sülyi, P.
Music By – Kóbor J., Mihály, T.
09. Hazafelé 5:29
Lyrics By – Sülyi, P.
Music By – Kóbor J., Mihály, T.
10. A Hetedik Napon 2:10
Lyrics By – Sülyi, P.
Music By – Kóbor J., Mihály, T.
11. Délutáni Szerelem 1:21
Lyrics By – Sülyi, P.
Music By – Kóbor J., Mihály, T.
12. Van Aki Nyugtalan 2:18
Lyrics By – Sülyi, P.
Music By – Kóbor J., Mihály, T.
LINE - UP
Lead Vocals – Kóbor János
Guitar – Molnár György
Bass Guitar, Piano – Mihály Tamás
Drums, Congas – Debreceni Ferenc
Organ, Piano, Synthesizer [Moog] – Benkő László
Lyrics By – Sülyi P.
Flac Size: 265 MB
05. GREATEST PERFORMANCES (LIVE) 2012
Greatest Performances - 50 Years is a music dvd/video recording by OMEGA (Psychedelic/Space Rock/Progressive Rock) released in 2012 on dvd, blu-ray disc and CD. Is a double live album by the legendary Hungarian rock band Omega, released in 2012 to mark their 50th anniversary.
Omega – 2012 - Greatest Performances
Label: Edel : Content – 0207693CTT
Format: 2 x CD, Compilation
Country: Europe
Released: Apr 20, 2012
Genre: Rock
Style: Hard Rock, Prog Rock
CD1.
01. Addig Élj 3:56
02. Hűtlen Barátok 5:40
03. Varázslatos Fehér Kő 5:31
04. A Madár 3:27
05. A Könyvelő Álma 3:52
06. Ezüst Eső 4:48
07. A Nagy Folyó 4:10
08. Ébredés 5:31
09. A Malomban 1:58
10. Hazafelé 3:30
11. A Hetedik Napon 1:05
12. Van Aki Nyugtalan 2:55
13. Nem Tudom A Neved 7:26
14. Őrültek Órája 6:20
CD2.
01. Gammapolis 4:44
02. Életfogytig Rock And Roll 6:48
03. Naplemente 6:26
04. Mozgó Világ 6:30
05. Ballada A Fegyverkovács Fiáról 4:04
06. Léna 5:15
07. Start 2:02
08. Napot Hoztam, Csillagot 4:10
09. Égi Vándor 4:07
10. Nyári Éjek Asszonya 4:37
11. Petróleumlámpa 4:16
12. Gyöngyhajú Lány 7:33
Flac Size: 508 MB
LINE - UP
János Kóbor / lead vocals
György Molnár / guitars
László Benkő / keyboards, vocals
Tamás Mihály / bass, vocals
Ferenc Debreczeni / drums
GUEST MUSICIANS
Tamás Szekeres / guitar
Zsolt Gömöri / keyboards
Péter Vinnai / keyboards
György Demeter, Zsolt Hastó, Ildikó Keresztes, Péter Szolnoki, Bernadett Tunyogi, Orsolya Tunyogi, Attila Vértes / backing vocals
NOTES
Recorded live in the 1990s and 2000s stadion concerts.
06. ANTHOLOGY 1968 - 1979 2017
Most of the selections here are the ‘70s re-recordings, in English, of what had been cut earlier in Magyar. Even the much covered classic isn’t included now in its original charming form, but in two drastically
different ones, acoustic version sung in German hitting much harder than longer, quasi-symphonic rendition delivered the American way. Still, 1975’s “Time Robber” can be enjoyed now& almost in its entirety, including this album’s title track, a boisterous centerpiece of a “House Of Cards” mini-suite which wondrously crystallizes the ensemble’s cosmic aspirations. To file the ensemble only under “Prog” would be wrong, though.
Omega – 2017 - Anthology 1968-1979
Label: Purple Pyramid – CLO 0573
Format: 2 x CD, Compilation
Country: US
Released: 2017
Genre: Rock
Style: Prog Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Space Rock
CD1. THE BEAUTY SIXTIES
01. Petroleum Lantern 3:23
02. Spanish Guitar Legend 3:29
03. Stormy Fire 3:56
04. The Jester's Daily Bread 3:20
05. Ten Thousand Paces 5:54
06. Remembering 3:27
07. After A Hard Year 5:37
08. Everytime She Steps In 3:44
09. Nur Ein Wort 3:54
10. You Don't Know 3:26
11. 20th Century Town Dweller 6:44
12. Go On The Spree 2:33
13. 200 Years After The Last War 5:31
14. Live As Long As 3:20
15. Just A Bloom 4:34
16. Pearls In Her Hair 5:30
17. Schreib Es Mir In Den Sand 2:59
Flac Size: 512 MB
THE SPACY SEVENTIES
01. House Of Cards I 5:47
02. Timerobber 2:58
03. House Of Cards II 3:41
04. Invitation 5:42
05. Don't Keep On Me Waiting 7:22
06. Late Night Show 6:32
07. Skyrover 3:54
08. The Lost Prophet 5:49
09. High On The Stairway 4:52
10. Purple Lady 4:43
11. Gammapolis I 4:06
12. Lady Of The Summer Night 4:26
13. Silver Rain 5:10
14. Gammapolis II 7:11
Flac Size: 480 MB
LINE - UP
Lead Vocals – János Kóbor
Bass, Vocals – Tamás Mihály
Drums – Ferenc Debreceni
CGuitar – György Molnár
Keyboards, Vocals – Gábor Presser (tracks: 1-1 to 1-17), László Benkő
Drums, Percussion – József Laux (tracks: 1-1 to 1-17)
Lyrics By – Anna Adamis, Péter Sülyi, Gábor Várszegi
