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Locomotiv GT

From Alfawiki
Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Locomotiv GT, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 30 November 2025
Locomotiv GT
Company typeMusical ensemble
IndustryMusic
Founded1971
Defunct2016
Headquarters
Budapest
,
Hungary
ProductsMusic albums, singles
Websitewww.lgt.hu

Locomotiv GT (commonly known as LGT or affectionately called Loksi) was a Hungarian rock ensemble established in 1971. Originating as a progressive rock outfit, their sound evolved to include influences from jazz, funk, and pop genres. They rose to prominence as one of Hungary’s leading rock groups before dissolving in 2016 following the passing of longtime vocalist and bassist Tamás Somló.

Formation and Early Period

Locomotiv GT was created in April 1971 by prominent musicians from well-known Hungarian rock bands, inspired by a poll conducted by Hungarian Youth magazine that encouraged top artists to collaborate. The lineup featured singer and keyboardist Gábor Presser and drummer József Laux from Omega, vocalist and bassist Károly Frenreisz from Metró, alongside singer and guitarist Tamás Barta from Hungária. Their inaugural performance took place in Budapest in July 1971. Due to governmental restrictions on rock performers in Hungary at the time, the group initially supported pop singers such as Sarolta Zalatnay and Kati Kovács as session musicians.

Their debut, self-titled album appeared in December 1971, followed by Ringasd el magad in 1972. The band attracted international recognition when New Musical Express hailed them as “The new rock sensation [that] could come from the East!” They showcased their talents at Japan’s World Popular Song Festival and England’s Great Western Express Festival.

In 1973, they composed the score for the politically sensitive theatrical production An Imaginary Report on an American Pop Festival. This event precipitated the exit of Frenreisz, who went on to establish Skorpió; he was succeeded by Tamás Somló from Omega. Their third album, Bummm!, faced a decade-long ban imposed by Hungarian authorities after member Tamás Barta defected to the United States. Barta was tragically killed under unclear circumstances in 1982. Guitarist János Karácsony stepped in as his replacement.

By 1974, their first three albums were consolidated into a compilation titled Locomotiv GT for release in the American and British markets, featuring fresh tracks produced by Jimmy Miller and a guest spot by Jack Bruce.

The 1975 release Mindig magasabbra was the first to include Karácsony. During this period, their music encountered censorship from Hungarian and nearby governments due to its perceived rebellious nature, which constrained sales domestically but earned them recognition abroad. English-language songs recorded with Miller remained unreleased within Hungary until 1988. Their 1976 double album Locomotiv GT V. also faced prohibition. Drummer József Laux defected to the United States during this time; after several temporary drummers filled in, János Solti became his permanent successor.

Subsequent Years

The quartet of Presser, Somló, Karácsony, and Solti maintained a consistent lineup for four decades until the group's dissolution. They released several albums including Zene – Mindenki másképp csinálja (1977), Mindenki (1978), and Loksi (1980), with the latter marking their initial receipt of royalties from retail distribution. In 1980, they toured the Soviet Union and secured an international deal with EMI in 1981, recording sessions at Abbey Road Studios. Despite this, EMI releases Locomotiv GT X. (1982) and Ellenfél nélkül (1984) did not meet commercial expectations, leading the band to concentrate efforts back on the Hungarian market.

After halting regular activities in 1986, they reunited for a significant Budapest concert in 1992 commemorating the end of Communist rule and issued a reunion album titled 424 – Mozdonyopera in 1997. Embracing nostalgia tours thereafter, they frequently appeared at festivals and organized the annual LGT Festival from 1999 through 2007. Former members József Laux and Károly Frenreisz made occasional guest appearances during this era. The band continued touring until the death of Tamás Somló in 2016 at age 68; that same year also saw the passing of Laux at age 73.

Core Members

  • Gábor Presser — vocals, keyboards (1971–1992, 1997–2016)
  • János Karácsony — guitars, bass guitar, vocals (1974–1992, 1997–2016)
  • János Solti — percussion, drums (1976–1992, 1997–2016)
  • Tamás Somló — vocals, bass guitar, saxophone (1973–1992, 1997–2016; until his passing)
  • Tamás Barta — vocals, guitars, harmonica, bass (1971–1974; deceased 1982)
  • Károly Frenreisz — vocals, woodwind instruments, bass guitar, guitars (1971–1973)
  • József Laux — percussion, drums (1971–1976; passed away 2016)
Contributing Personnel
  • Anna Adamis — lyricist (1971–1976)
  • Dusán Sztevánovity — lyricist (1976–2016)
Musicians on Tour
  • Gábor Németh — drums (1976)
  • Gábor Szekeres — drums (1976)

Chronological Overview

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Colors = 

 id:Vocals             value:red        legend:Vocals
 id:Keyboards          value:purple     legend:Keyboards
 id:Guitars            value:green      legend:Guitars
 id:Bass               value:blue       legend:Bass
 id:Drums              value:orange     legend:Drums
 id:Woodwind           value:gray(0.75) legend:Woodwind_instruments
 id:Lines              value:black      legend:Releases

Legend = orientation:horizontal position:bottom

ScaleMajor = increment:2 start:1971 ScaleMinor = unit:year increment:1 start:1971

LineData = 

 at:12/10/1971 color:black layer:back
 at:10/01/1972 color:black layer:back
 at:01/15/1974 color:black layer:back
 at:06/01/1975 color:black layer:back
 at:06/01/1976 color:black layer:back
 at:06/01/1977 color:black layer:back
 at:06/01/1978 color:black layer:back
 at:02/01/1980 color:black layer:back
 at:06/01/1982 color:black layer:back
 at:06/01/1984 color:black layer:back
 at:10/24/1997 color:black layer:back
 at:04/30/2002 color:black layer:back

BarData = 

 bar:Presser text:"Gábor Presser"
 bar:Barta text:"Tamás Barta"
 bar:Karácsony text:"János Karácsony"
 bar:Frenreisz text:"Károly Frenreisz"
 bar:Somló text:"Tamás Somló"
 bar:Laux text:"József Laux"
 bar:Solti text:"János Solti"

PlotData= 

 width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4)

 bar:Frenreisz from:start till:01/15/1973 color:Bass
 bar:Frenreisz from:start till:01/15/1973 color:Guitars width:3
 bar:Frenreisz from:start till:01/15/1973 color:Woodwind width:7
 bar:Frenreisz from:05/01/1986 till:06/01/1986 color:Bass
 bar:Frenreisz from:05/01/1986 till:06/01/1986 color:Guitars width:3
 bar:Frenreisz from:05/01/1986 till:06/01/1986 color:Woodwind width:7
 bar:Frenreisz from:05/14/1992 till:06/14/1992 color:Bass
 bar:Frenreisz from:05/14/1992 till:06/14/1992 color:Guitars width:3
 bar:Frenreisz from:05/14/1992 till:06/14/1992 color:Woodwind width:7
 bar:Frenreisz from:11/08/2006 till:12/08/2006 color:Bass
 bar:Frenreisz from:11/08/2006 till:12/08/2006 color:Guitars width:3
 bar:Frenreisz from:11/08/2006 till:12/08/2006 color:Woodwind width:7

 bar:Barta from:start till:end color:Guitars

 bar:Set to reflect actual dates and roles accordingly

</timeline>

Albums released in Hungary

English-language albums for US/UK markets

  • Locomotiv GT (Dunhill Records 811) (recorded 1973; issued in UK/US in 1974, featuring tracks primarily from the first three albums)
  • All Aboard (intended follow-up; withheld in UK/US due to disappointing sales; remixed edition issued only in Hungary in 1988 as Locomotiv GT '74 USA)
  • Motor City Rock (produced in Prague, 1976; released in 1978 and distributed within Eastern bloc nations)
  • Untitled album recorded in Hungary in 1980; exported to West Germany and Sweden
  • Too Long (English adaptation of the tenth Hungarian album, recorded between Budapest and London during 1982–83; UK release in 1983)
  • Boxing (EMI project from 1985 that was ultimately rejected by the label)
  • Locomotiv GT '74 USA (remixed edition of All Aboard, released in 1988)
  • Locomotiv GT In Warsaw (live recording from Poland, 1976)

None of these albums released in Western Europe or North America reached the charts.

Releases in other international markets

  • Locomotiv GT (Argentina, 1973)
  • Ringasd el magad, released as Locomotiv GT (Czechoslovakia, 1973)
  • Live In Warsaw (Poland, 1976)
  • Mindig magasabbra (West Germany, 1976)
  • Mindenki (Czechoslovakia, 1979)
  • Todos (Spain, 1980)

Singles released in Hungary

  1. "Boldog vagyok" / "Ha volna szíved" (1971)
  2. "Érints meg / Kenyéren és vízen" (1971)
  3. "Szeress nagyon" / "Csak egy szóra" (1972)
  4. "Hej, gyere velem" / "Csavargók angyala" (1973)
  5. "Segíts elaludni" / "Mindig csak ott várok rád" (1973)
  6. "Belépés nemcsak tornacipőben! — Mindenki másképp csinálja" / "Mozdulnod kell" (1978)
  7. Double single: "Annyi mindent nem szerettem" / "Pokolba már a szép szavakkal" / "Miénk ez a cirkusz" / "Veled, csak veled" (1979)
  8. "Első magyar óriás kislemez" (1984)

International singles

  1. "Touch Me, Love Me, Rock Me" / "Silver Summer" (existence unconfirmed; referenced in rock literature; later included on compilation albums)
  2. "Serenade" / "Give Me Your Love" (issued in the Netherlands, 1972)
  3. German-language singles released in East Germany, 1973
  4. US singles from the initial English LP: "Rock Yourself"/"Serenade," and "She's Just 14"/"Free Me" (1974)
  5. Polish single featuring a live rendition of "Ringasd el magad," early 1970s
  6. Live tracks issued as singles approximately mid-1970s
  7. Contribution to a Soviet soundtrack with an English version of "Álomarcú lány," incorrectly titled on release
  8. Promotional MIDEM single with English-language tracks from the Hungarian album, issued in 1979
  9. Spanish single derived from the Todos compilation, 1980
  10. Two singles released by Soviet youth magazines containing Russian-translated songs, dated 1980–81
  11. UK promotional singles from the album Too Long, including extended cuts, released in 1983

External links

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