Following the collapse of Communism in Hungary, most of Omega's previously suppressed albums were released on CD and generated great interest in the band as it returned to performing in 1994. Omega regrouped in 1994 for a major concert at Népstadion in Budapest, with special appearances by former members Gábor Presser and Tamás Somló, plus Rudolf Schenker and Klaus Meine of the Scorpions. Omega performing in 2010 (L-R: Debreceni, Kóbor, Molnár, Mihály, Benkő) After their thirteenth album Babylon in 1987, Omega went on hiatus so the members could focus on side projects. During this period they were also noted for science fiction-oriented lyrics. However, they were able to tour in East Germany and recorded some songs in German for their fans in that country. During the 1970s in particular, some of the band's albums were restricted or banned in Hungary due to the Communist regime's view that hard rock music was subversive. Most of those albums were released in both Hungarian and English versions. ![]() This incarnation of Omega released ten more albums starting in 1972 until taking an extended break in 1987. Presser's jazz- and folk-oriented keyboards and songwriting had been dominant in Omega's sound after his departure the band moved toward progressive rock and space rock with Benkő's classically-oriented keyboards and Molnár's heavy guitar as the focus. The resulting lineup of Kóbor (vocals), Benkő (keyboards/vocals), Molnár (guitar), Mihály (bass/vocals), and Debreczeni (drums) remained intact for more than 40 years until Mihály retired from touring in 2014. ( Tamás Somló, who had played saxophone for Omega from 1964 to 1968, became bassist for Locomotiv GT in 1973,) Presser was not replaced, while the band recruited new drummer Ferenc Debreczeni. In 1971, Gábor Presser and drummer József Laux (who had joined in 1964) left Omega and formed the progressive rock band Locomotiv GT. During this period, members of Omega also gained notice for backing several Hungarian pop singers, most notably Sarolta Zalatnay. Their 1969 song " Gyöngyhajú lány" ("Pearls In Her Hair") was an international hit, and was later covered by the Scorpions (as "White Dove"). The band's sound during this period included experiments in psychedelic rock. Later that year, the album was re-recorded in Hungarian and released in the band's home country as Trombitás Frédi és a Rettenetes Emberek ( Trumpeter Freddy and the Terrible People). The following year, the band was invited to tour England, where they recorded their debut album Omega: Red Star from Hungary with English lyrics for Decca Records. Guitarist György Molnár and bassist/singer Tamás Mihály also joined in 1967. Omega first began to write their own songs with the arrival in 1967 of keyboardist/singer Gábor Presser, who was adept in rock, jazz, and folk songwriting. The band went through many personnel changes in its first several years, and mostly played covers of British rock songs. Their first concert was at Budapest's University of Technology and Economics in September 1962. The members had all been in previous bands at the same grammar school. 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. Omega won several prestigious awards for their contributions to Hungarian culture. Guitarist György Molnár and bassist Tamás Mihály joined in 1967, and drummer Ferenc Debreczeni joined in 1971. ![]() 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. ![]() After several early personnel changes, their classic lineup came together in 1971 and was intact for more than forty years. They have released more than 20 albums both in Hungarian and English. Omega was a Hungarian rock band formed in 1962, which has been described as the most successful such band in history.
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