Locomotiv GT
| Locomotiv GT | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Budapest, Hungary |
| Genres | Hard rock, progressive rock |
| Years active | 1971–1992, 1997–2016 |
| Labels | MHV, Hungaroton, BMG |
| Associated acts | Omega |
| Website | lgt.hu |
| Members |
Gábor Presser János Karácsony János Solti |
| Past members | Tamás Barta Károly Frenreisz József Laux Tamás Somló |
Locomotiv GT (often abbreviated LGT, with the nickname Loksi) is a Hungarian rock band formed in 1971. It has been one of the most influential rock bands in Hungarian rock music. GT in the name of the band refers to Gran Turismo, the long journey that the band was looking forward to when it was formed. The origin of the symbol that gave the name LGT is not clear: on their first album there is a steam-powered locomotive standing in an aquarium, and locomotives have been present on many of the band’s album covers. One of the albums also has the name 424 – Mozdonyopera (‘424 – Locomotive Opera’), and when they performed their farewell concert on 17 May 1992, as a show element they arrived to the Nyugati pályaudvar (‘Budapest West railway station’) on a steam locomotive.
In 1970 the Hungarian Youth Magazine had assembled a super group based on the results of a reader poll; creating a fan's dream team of Hungarian popular musicians. The members of this ensemble were: Béla Radics (guitar), Zorán Sztevanovity (rhythm guitar), Károly Frenreisz (bass), Gábor Presser (organ), József Laux (drums), Ervin Fülöp (wind instruments), László Benkő (wind instruments), and János Kóbor (vocals). This was known as Supergroup I, but this line-up actually never performed together; dissolving before any live performances came to fruition. However, Frenreisz, Presser, and Laux from the supergroup decided to work together, and they formed Locomotiv GT with Frenreisz taking on the role of vocalist, and with new guitarist Tamás Barta, who had been part of Youth Magazine's next supergroup, in Budapest on April 6, 1971.
József Laux and Gábor Presser had been members of Omega (which also featured Benkő and Kóbor from the original supergroup) up until this point; and consequently left Omega in order to form Locomotiv GT. This ultimately split Omega's fan base; as Omega had been at the peak of their success, and in the forming of Locomotiv GT had now in effect became two distinct bands; with the ultimate consequence that personal relations between the members' of the two bands becoming strained. The lyrics of the LGT song Boldog vagyok (‘I’m Happy’) refers to this situation, to which Omega responded with the song Hűtlen Barátok (‘Disloyal Friends’). In addition to the connection with Omega, Frenreisz had built his reputation in the band Metró, and guitarist in the band Hungária.
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