Edda Művek
Edda Művek |
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EDDA Művek is a highly successful Hungarian rock band formed in 1974 under the name "Griff". The word "művek" (works) symbolizes the band originally starting off its career in Miskolc, a typical Central European industrial city also dubbed as "Steel City"
EDDA's catchy, melodic rock tunes and touching ballads primarily focus on the social and emotional life of youth. Love, loneliness, alienation, friendship and spirituality. The band performs more than one hundred shows annually throughout Hungary and surrounding Hungarian communities around the Carpathian Basin. However, the energetic and inventive musicianship that EDDA's known for, is best reflected through their dynamic live performances.
Band history
The beginning
In 1973, there was a huge rock festival in Miskolc. József Halász, a young university student got here the inspiration to form a music band - just as a hobby. He and his friends formed the band "Griff", but several months later they changed the name for Edda (from the old Icelandic-German histories). They played in the club of University of Miskolc for the crowd, but their popularity grown quickly. At this time, they played mostly international hits to make people dance. Because of the studying, many members were replaced. The band's first singer was Zoltán Zsiga, then he replaced to Attila Fodor, and finally the actual band leader: Attila Pataky. Pataky was the only one in the band, who decided to live only for the music. As József Halász moved to Zalaegerszeg, he gave the rights of using the name "Edda" for Pataky. Halász replaced to József Szepcsik, but he died accidentally. Pataky asked Halász if he went back to the group and he did - but he got cancer and died.
In 1977, Pataky wanted to form a new Edda, a more powerful and popular rock band. He collected the best rock musicians from Miskolc. His new partner was István Slamovits, a famous guitarist. They decided to conquer the Hungarian music scene - although it was nearly impossible in the 1970s for a music band outside from Budapest.
The classic Edda
The band introduced in Budapest in 1979. The first show was not so successful (with only 178 viewers), but their popularity quickly grown in the country. They recorded the first single (Minden sarkon / Álom) in 1979, and the next year they made the first album: "Edda Művek 1.". This album is a diamond disc in Hungary, with more then 500000 sold copy. Most of the songs became a popular hit. The success continued as they appearanced in the movie "Ballagás", with their own soundtracks, which became also popular. However, there were problems too. Alfonz Barta went to Switzerland and never came back. There were replacements too: the bass guitarist and the drummer positions changed. In 1983, the differences between Pataky and Slamovits led to the end of the band: in 17 December, 1983 they pperformed their last concert in Miskolc.
Forming a new band
Pataky decided to start all over again. For this, he went to Norway with László Fortuna (the only other band member from the original Edda), Péter Csomós, and Endre Csillag in 1984. There they played in clubs at night, and wrote new songs all day long. In 1985, Pataky went back to Hungary. The new Edda had only two members: Pataky and Fortuna, all other musicians were only guest stars. The comeback was very successful, like in the past - with one difference: all of the new musicians lived in Budapest, not Miskolc. In 1988, the new Edda finally formed. They played in unusual places: prison, steel factory, etc.
In 1991, Péter Kun came to the band, to replace István Alapi who went to Canada. But he died in an accident in 1993. After the tragedy, Alapi returned.
Nowadays
In 1997, a new drummer, Zoltán Hetényi replaced Tibor Donászy, that was the last member changing. In 1998 the band released their first English album, "Fire and Rain". From then, they release an album in every three-four years. In every year has an Edda Tour. The first concert DVD released in 2008.
Band Members
Old Edda (1973-1978)
- Zoltán Zsiga (vocal) 1973
- István Darázs (vocal) 1973-1974
- Fodor Attila (vocal) 1974 (†2006)
- Attila Pataky (vocal) 1974-
- József Halász (drums) 1973-1977 (†1980)
- József Szepcsik (drums) 1977-1978 (†1978)
- Zoltán Ferenczi (guitar) 1973-1977
- Katalin Beély (bass guitar) 1973-1977
- Zoltán Fancsik (keyboards) 1974-1975
Classic Edda (1978-1983)
| 1978 |
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| 1978–1982 |
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| 1982–1983 |
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| 1983 |
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New Edda (1984-)
| 1985 |
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| 1985–1988 |
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| 1988-1991 |
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| 1991-1993 |
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| 1993-1997 |
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| 1997- |
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In 1985, only Pataky and Fortuna formed the Edda, the other musicians were only guest stars. After the fifth album they choosed the bests. In 1987, Alapi and Csillag played together, as Csillag decided to go to Austria.
Discography
25 gold records, 4 platinum albums, 2 diamond records. More than 5 million units sold in Europe
| Year | Hungarian album title | English album title |
| 1979 | Minden sarkon álltam már / Álom (single) | I Stood On Every Corner / Dream |
| 1980 | Edda Művek 1. | Edda Works 1. |
| 1980 | Ballagás (single) (Kölyköd voltam / Néma völgy) | Valediction (I Was Your Kid / Silent Valley) |
| 1981 | Edda Művek 2. | Edda Works 2. |
| 1981 | MIDEM Promo single | - |
| 1982 | Micsoda komédia / Vörös tigris | What A Comedy / Red Tiger |
| 1983 | Edda Művek 3. | Edda Works 3. |
| 1984 | Viszlát Edda! (concert) | Goodbye, Edda |
| 1985 | Edda Művek 5. (concert) | Edda Works 5. |
| 1986 | D. Nagy Lajos - Pataky Attila | - |
| 1986 | Edda Művek 6. | Edda Works 6. |
| 1987 | Megmondtam / Fohász | I Said / Supplication |
| 1988 | Változó idők | Variable Life |
| 1989 | Szaga van | It Smells! |
| 1989 | Pataky-Slamovits | - |
| 1990 | Győzni fogunk | We Will Win |
| 1990 | Best Of Edda 1980-1990]] | - |
| 1991 | Szélvihar | Windstorm |
| 1992 | Edda Művek 13. (Szellemvilág) | Edda Works 13. (Ghostworld) |
| 1992 | Az Edda két arca: Lírák, Koncert | The Two Faces of Edda: Ballads, Concert |
| 1993 | Elveszett illúziók | Lost Illusions |
| 1993 | Lelkünkből (Unplugged) | From Our Soul (Dedicated To Péter Kun) |
| 1994 | Karaoke Edda | - |
| 1994 | Sziklaszív | Rockheart |
| 1995 | Edda Blues | - |
| 1995 | Hazatérsz - Edda Művek feat. Mester és Tanítványai | Coming Home |
| 1995 | Edda 15. születésnap | Edda's 15th Birthday |
| 1996 | Elvarázsolt Edda-dalok - Edda Művek and their friends | Charmed Edda Songs |
| 1997 | Edda 20. | - |
| 1997 | Lírák II. | Ballads II. |
| 1998 | Best Of Edda 1988-1998 | - |
| 1998 | Fire And Rain | - |
| 1999 | Nekem nem kell más | I Don't Want Anybody Else |
| 2000 | A Magyar rockzene hőskora (compilation) | Golden Age Of Hungarian Rock - Reader's Digest |
| 2003 | Örökség | Heritage |
| 2005 | Isten az úton | God On The Way |
| 2005 | Platina | Platina (compilation) |
| 2006 | A szerelem hullámhosszán | The Frequency Of Love |
| TBA | Szerelmi átkok és áldások | Love Curses And Blessings |
Links and sources
- http://www.edda.hu Official site
- http://dragon.unideb.hu/~balintcs/edda.htm