Edda Művek
| Company type | Rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1973 |
| Headquarters | Miskolc , Hungary |
| Products | Music albums, live performances |
Edda Művek is a rock ensemble originating from Hungary, established in 1973. Initially called "Griff," the group briefly adopted the name "Edda" before finalizing on Edda Művek. The term "Edda" is derived from the Prose Edda associated with Norse legends, while "Művek" (meaning works) pays homage to the band's roots in Miskolc, an industrial center famously nicknamed the "Steel City." According to frontman Attila Pataky, "Művek" also signifies their diligent work ethic and their intensive efforts in songwriting, recording, and touring.
The band’s early repertoire of melodic rock and power ballads primarily explored themes relevant to youth, such as love, anxiety, and feelings of alienation. As their music evolved, they expanded their lyrical focus to include topics like sexuality, spirituality, cultural traditions, national identity, and the societal challenges faced by Hungary during periods of political and economic transition. Annually, Edda Művek performs over a hundred concerts throughout Hungary and Hungarian-populated regions nearby. Their dynamic live shows remain a testament to their musical prowess.
Origins
The band was founded in 1973 in Miskolc by Jozsef Halász during a local rock festival. Initially named Griff, they soon adopted the name Edda, inspired by ancient Norse mythology. Their early rise in popularity was fueled by performances at the University of Miskolc’s campus club, where they played international pop songs to captivate audiences.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, frequent personnel changes occurred as members left to pursue academic careers. The original lead singer Zoltán Zsiga was succeeded by Attila Fodor and then by Attila Pataky, who remains the only member fully dedicated to a professional music career with the band. Halász eventually moved to Zalaegerszeg and transferred the rights to the name "Edda" to Pataky. Following the death of drummer József Szepcsik in 1977, Halász rejoined but was soon diagnosed with terminal cancer and passed away in 1980.
In 1977, Pataky assembled a talented group of musicians from Miskolc, including his new songwriting collaborator and lead guitarist Istvan Slamovits. Their ambition was to establish Edda Művek as one of Hungary’s premier rock bands—a challenging goal for a group based outside Budapest during that era.
The classic era
When Edda Művek made their debut performance in Budapest in 1979, attendance was modest at just 178 people; however, their fame rapidly expanded nationwide. That year they released their first single (Minden Sarkon Álltam Már / Álom), followed by their self-titled debut album Edda Művek 1. in 1980. This album achieved diamond certification in Hungary with sales exceeding 500,000 copies. Several tracks from this release became major hits. The band also produced the soundtrack for the film Ballagás. Despite sustained success, internal conflicts led to lineup changes including Alfonz Barta’s emigration to Switzerland. By late 1983, disputes between Pataky and Slamovits culminated in the band’s dissolution after a farewell concert held in Miskolc on December 17; this event was recorded and issued as their fourth album from that period.
Reformation
Following a two-year break, Pataky revived Edda Művek in 1984 alongside László Fortuna and new musicians, performing concerts in Norway while composing new songs. In 1985, Pataky and Fortuna returned to Hungary and reassembled the band with musicians from Budapest. Their comeback concert was recorded live and released as their fifth album featuring fresh material. After further lineup changes stabilized the group by 1988, Edda embarked on extensive tours that included unusual venues such as steel factories and prisons. In 1991, Péter Kun and László Kicska replaced István Alapi and Gábor Pethő who briefly relocated to Canada. Tragically, Kun died in a motorcycle accident in 1993; following memorial concerts, Alapi rejoined at Pataky’s invitation.
Current Era
In 1997, Zoltán Hetényi took over the drummer position from Tibor Donászy. The group launched their inaugural English album, Fire and Rain, in 1998. Edda Művek consistently releases new studio albums approximately every three to four years while sustaining an active concert itinerary. They frequently organize special concerts celebrating significant milestones in their career, such as the release of their breakthrough debut album in 1980, which is recognized as their official beginning. Members from the classic lineup of 1980–1984 occasionally appear as guest performers, illustrating Pataky’s renewed collaborations with former bandmates. In 2022, Ákos Benkó succeeded Zoltán Hetényi on drums.
Early Edda (1973–1978)
- Zoltán Zsiga (vocals) 1973
- István Darázs (vocals) 1973–1974
- Attila Fodor (vocals) 1974 (†2006)
- Attila Pataky (vocals) 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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Modern Edda (1984–present)
| 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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| 1997–2022 |
2022 to present:
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During the year 1985, Edda Művek primarily consisted of core members Pataky and Fortuna, with additional musicians hired as needed. After the band's successful reformation, Pataky appointed experienced permanent members. In 1987, both Alapi and Csillag briefly shared duties as guitarists before Csillag moved to Austria.
Timeline
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Colors =
id:Vocals value:red legend:Vocals id:Guitars value:blue legend:Guitars id:Organ value:green legend:Keyboards id:Bass value:yellow legend:Bass id:Drums value:orange legend:Drums id:Sax value:purple legend:Saxophone id:Lines value:black legend:Releases
Legend = orientation:horizontal position:bottom
ScaleMajor = increment:2 start:1973 ScaleMinor = unit:year increment:1 start:1973
LineData =
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at :07 /01 /2009 colour :black Layer :Back at :07 /01 /2012 colour :black Layer :Back
BarData =
bar :Zsiga text :"Zoltán Zsiga" bar :Darázs text :"István Darázs" bar :Fodor text :"Attila Fodor (†2006)" bar :Pataky text :"Attila Pataky" bar :Ferenczi text :"Zoltán Ferenczi" bar :Slamovits text :"István Slamovits" bar :Mohai text :"Tamás Mohai (temporarily)" bar :Szénich text :"János Szénich (temporarily)" bar :Gellért text :"Tibor Gellért (temporarily) (†2016)" bar :Csillag text :"Endre Csillag" bar :Alapi text :"István Alapi" bar :Kun text :"Péter Kun (†1993)" bar :Fancsik text :"Zoltán Fancsik" bar :Barta text :"Alfonz Barta" bar :Gally text :"Tamás Gally (temporarily)" bar :Gömöry text :"Zsolt Gömöry" bar :Béres text :"Ferenc Béres (temporarily)" bar :Beély text :"Katalin Beély" bar :Róna text :"György Róna" bar :Zselencz text :"László Zselencz" bar :Mirkovics text :"Gábor Mirkovics" bar :Pethő text :"Gábor Pethő" bar :Kicska text :"László Kicska" bar :Halász text :"József Halász (†1980)" bar :Szepcsik text :"József Szepcsik (†1978)" bar :Csapó text :"György Csapó" bar :Fortuna text :"László Fortuna" bar :Hirleman text :"Bertalan Hirleman (temporarily)" bar :Raus text :"Ferenc Raus (temporarily)" bar :Papp text :"Tamás Papp (temporarily)" bar :Donászy text :"Tibor Donászy" bar :Hetényi text :"Zoltán Hetényi" bar :Kegye text :"János Kegye (guest)"
PlotData=
width :10 Textcolor black Align left Anchor from Shift(10,-4)
bar Zsiga from 1973 till end of year Vocals red bar Darázs from start of '73 till end '74 Vocals bar Fodor from '74 Vocals bar Pataky from '74 to '83 and from '85 Vocals bar Ferenczi from '73 to '77 Guitars blue bar Slamovits from '78 to '83 Guitars bar Mohai, Szénich, Gellért in '85 Guitars bar Csillag from '85 to '88 Guitars bar Alapi from '88 to '91 and from '93 Guitars bar Kun from '91 to '93 Guitars bar Fancsik from '74 to '75 Organ green bar Barta from '78 to '83 Organ bar Gally in '83 Organ bar Gömöry from '85 Organ bar Béres in '85 Organ bar Beély from '73 to '77 Bass yellow bar Róna in '78 and '82 Bass bar Zselencz from '78 to '83 Bass bar Mirkovics from '85 to '88 Bass bar Pethő from '88 to '91 Bass bar Kicska from '91 Bass bar Halász from '73 to '77 Drums orange bar Szepcsik in '77-'78 Drums bar Csapó from '78 to '82 Drums bar Fortuna in early and mid-80s Drums bar Hirleman, Raus, Papp mid-80s Drums bar Donászy mid-80s to late-90s Drums bar Hetényi since late-90s Drums bar Kegye early-80s Sax purple
</timeline>
Discography
The band has achieved 25 gold certifications, 4 platinum records, and 2 diamond awards, with total sales exceeding 5 million copies across Europe.
| Year | Album Number | Title in Hungarian | English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | - | Minden Sarkon Álltam Már / Álom (single) | I Stood On Every Corner / Dream |
| 1980 | 1 | Edda Művek 1. | Edda Works 1. |
| 1980 | - | Ballagás (soundtrack single) | Valediction (I Was Your Kid / Silent Valley) |
| 1981 | 2 | Edda Művek 2. | Edda Works 2. |
| 1981 | - | MIDEM (promo single) | - |
| 1982 | - | 1.2.3...Start (various artists live) | What A Comedy / Red Tiger |
| 1983 | 3 | Edda Művek 3. | Edda Works 3. |
| 1984 | 4 | Viszlát! (live album) | Goodbye, Edda |
| 1985 | 5 | Edda Művek 5. (live recording) | Edda Works 5. |
| 1986 | - | Veled Vagyok / Gyere Őrült (single) | - |
| 1986 | 6 | Edda Művek 6. | Edda Works 6. |
| 1987 | - | Megmondtam / Fohász (single) | I Said / Supplication |
| 1988 | 7 | Változó Idők | Changing Times |
| 1988 | 9 | Pataky-Slamovits | - |
| 1989 | 8 | 8.-Szaga Van! | It Stinks! |
| 1990 | 10 | 10.-Győzni Fogunk! | We Will Win |
| 1990 | 11 | Best Of Edda '80-'90 (compilation) | |
| 12 | Szélvihar | Windstorm | |
| 13 | 13 | (Ghostworld) | |
| 14 | Az Edda Két Arca (compilation/live double album) | The Two Faces of Edda: Ballads, Concert | |
| 15 | Elveszett Illúziók | Lost Illusions | |
| 16 | Lelkünkből (live unplugged) | From Our Soul (Dedicated To Péter Kun) | |
| 25 | Karaoke (karaoke album) | - | |
| 17 | Sziklaszív | Rockheart | |
| 18 | Edda Blues (compilation) | - | |
| - | Hazatérsz (single) | Coming Home | |
| 19 | 15. Születésnap (live recording) | Edda's 15th Birthday | |
| - | Elvarázsolt Edda-Dalok (various artists tribute compilation) | Charmed Edda Songs | |
| 20 | 20. | - | |
| 21 | Lírák II. (compilation) | Ballads II. | |
| 22 | A Legjobbak...1988-1998 (compilation) | Best Of...1988-1998 | |
| 23 | Fire And Rain (compilation) | - | |
| 24 | Nekem Nem Kell Más | I Don't Want Anyone Else | |
| - | A Magyar Rockzene Hőskora (various artists compilation) | Golden Age Of Hungarian Rock - Reader's Digest | |
| 26 | Örökség | Heritage | |
| 27 | Isten Az Úton | God On The Way | |
| 28 | Platina Sorozat (compilation) | Platinum Series | |
| 29 | A Szerelem Hullámhosszán (compilation) | On The Frequency Of Love | |
| 30 | Átok És Áldás | Curses And Blessings | |
| 31 | Inog A Világ | World on Edge | |
| 32 | A Sólyom Népe | People of the Falcon | |
| 34 | Kölyköd Voltam (compilation) | I Was Your Kid | |
| 33 | Dalok a Testnek, Dalok a Léleknek | Songs For The Body, Songs For The Soul | |
| - | 44 Év - Budapest, Papp László Sportaréna, 2018. március 10. (Live) | 44 Years - Laszlo Papp Budapest Sports Arena, March 10, 2018 | |
| 35 | A Hírvivő | The Courier |
Note: Initially, the albums Pataky-Slamovits (#9), Karaoke (#25), and the compilation Kölyköd Voltam (#34) were excluded from the official Edda Művek catalog but were subsequently recognized as part of the official discography.
Filmography
- One Day Rock – a documentary highlighting the 1981 rock festival featuring Edda
- Valediction – includes soundtrack contributions and a brief on-screen role
- The Protegé – small acting part
- I Was Your Kid – documentary capturing the final phase of classic Edda
- Edda in Petőfi Hall, 1988 – released on VHS
- Unplugged
- Edda Camp – video recording of the 1994 concert in Agárd
- 15th Birthday – VHS edition
- 20th Birthday Concert, Small Stadium
- She won't forget, 'til she live – concert DVD
Books about Edda
- Géza Riskó: Edda Művek, Miskolc (Ifjúsági Lap- és Könyvkiadó, 1984)
- Géza Riskó: Iron Rock (Közgazdasági és Jogi Könyvkiadó, 1987)
- Attila Pataky: Wine, sex, rock 'n roll... and soul (Pataky Menedzsment, 2007)
Links and sources
- http://www.edda.hu Official website
- http://shtoor.com/event.php?id=gb9yf68km1 Archived event page featuring Edda Művek