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BB Gabor
BB Gabor
Anthem - 1980
Mike Milner
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BB Gabor (real name Gabor Hegedus) was an outstanding musician and singer/songwriter who was part of Toronto's new wave scene in the late seventies and early eighties. Gabor was Hungarian by birth, and his early years were indelibly affected by the trauma he and his family suffered during the 1956 revolution in Hungary and the subsequent savage repression by the Soviet Union. The family was forced to flee their homeland, and after going through the various hardships assorted with being refugees, they settled in London, England.
In 1972, Gabor emigrated to Toronto and became involved in the local music scene. His hard work and dedication to his craft earned him a record deal in 1979 with one of Canada's better independent labels of the period, Anthem Records. His enigmatic and irrepressible musical style was a great fit with this label. His songs mixed witty, yet perceptive lyrics with great pop music sensibilities. It was music that would appeal to those on the dance floor as well as the more thoughtful types listening through their Walkmans.
Recorded in June of 1979 and released in 1980, Gabor's self-titled debut album was well received, with two of the singles, 'Nyet, Nyet Soviet (Soviet Jewellery)' and 'Metropolitan Life', becoming staples on Toronto radio. Gabor crossed Canada in support of BB Gabor and even received a Juno nomination the following year for Most Promising Male Vocalist. He was an entertaining live act, and this author has very fond memories of watching him at a club in Toronto.
Tragically, Gabor died far too young, robbing Canada - and music in general - of a very talented individual. However, his musical legacy will always be a testament to his tremendous abilities, which certainly enriched the Canadian music scene of the early eighties.
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Suggestions
BB Gabor
Nyet Nyet Soviet (Soviet Jewellery) / Moscow Drug Club - 7"
Anthem
Boys Brigade
Melody / Africa - 7"
Anthem
Malcolm Burn
Walk Don't Run / Josephine the Singer - 7"
Anthem
John Paul Young
The Life of Ermie Scub
CMDC
The Spy's
Underground / Machine Shop - 7"
(independent)
The Bureaucrats
Feel the Pain / Grown Up Age - 7"
VIP
Pointed Sticks
Perfect Youth
Quintessence
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