Omega

Omega is one of the most successful Hungarian rock bands.

Formed in Budapest in September, 1962 by the winds player Laszlo Benko on organ and Janos Kobor as a singer and rhythm guitarist, they initially performed covers of British and American rock songs, frequently changing the lineup of members. In 1967 Tamas Mihaly came on bass, Gabor Presser joined on keyboards and began writing original music for the band (in 1968 Gyargy Molnar became a lead guitarist), contributing to the release of three LPs before leaving the band with Jozsef Laux, a drummer from 1962, to form Locomotiv GT in spring 1971. These first albums were heavily influenced by the music of The Beatles and psychedelic rock, but they also looked forward to the band’s future more hard rock, then progressive and space-rock styles. After Presser and Laux’s departure, the band found a new drummer (Ferenc Debreceni (later as Debreczeni) came from group Neoton) and appointed Benkő as the main keyboardsman, in August 1971 creating the current lineup, which has remained the same for over 30 years:

J&anos Kpbor (“Mecky”), lead vocals
Gyorgy Molnar (“Elefánt”), guitars
Laszlo Benko (“Laci”), keyboards, vocals
Tamas Mihaly (“Misi”), bass, vocals
Ferenc Debreceni (“Ciki”), drums

English language albums

Omega Red Star From Hungary (1968) extremely rare vinyl recording, since October 2007 available on CD. Vocals by Mihály Tamás
Omega (1973)
200 Years After The Last War (1974)
Omega III (1974)
The Hall Of Floaters In The Sky (1975)
Time Robber (1976)
Sky Rover (1978)
Gammapolis (1979)
Working (1981)
Transcendent (1996)