A somber note hangs in the air around the Barta Tamás Plaque. Here, at Izabella utca 39/b, once lived a rock legend. This plaque commemorates Tamás Barta a gifted guitarist singer and composer.
Barta Tamás was born in Budapest in 1948. He died tragically young in Los Angeles in 1982. The bronze relief before you was created by sculptor Árpád Deák. It was unveiled on September 23 2010.
Barta’s musical journey began in his teens. He joined Fenyő Miklós’s band Syconor at age 17. Before that he taught himself to play guitar. He had a foundation in music as he could play the violin.
He later joined Hungária then the iconic Locomotiv GT. Barta played on Locomotiv GT’s first three albums. He also contributed to the first Hungarian rock musical Képzelt riport egy amerikai popfesztiválról. His guitar work is featured on albums by Zalatnay Sarolta and Kovács Kati.
Barta’s guitar style was unique. It blended American rock and roll rhythm and blues and country and western. Presser Gábor said he played fantastically.
Barta was also an accomplished songwriter. He composed twenty songs for Locomotiv GT Zalatnay and Kovács Kati. Some became huge hits. These include Gyere gyere ki a hegyoldalba and Ő még csak tizennégy.
In 1974 Barta did not return home from a US tour. He remained in Los Angeles. There he worked as a studio musician and toured with Johnny Rivers. He later entered telemarketing.
According to Presser Gábor Barta was a wonderful person. He was very attractive to women.
Barta married Carol the LGT’s American tour manager. He loved America. This influenced his decision to stay there.
In Los Angeles Barta primarily worked as a studio musician. He also played in smaller bands. He learned English fluently from his wife.
After their divorce Barta bought a house with a pool. It was located in the Arleta district. His friends joked that he had moved from Izabella Street to Terra Bella Street.
From 1979 to 1982 Barta lived a successful life. He worked as a telemarketer and played guitar in clubs. He dated mainly American-Hungarian girls.
In 1982 Barta was found dead in his Arleta home. Two bullets were found in his chest. There are speculations surrounding his death. Some suspect the Hungarian “paper” mafia in Los Angeles.
Two death certificates were issued. This suggests a cover-up. The North Hollywood homicide detective declared his death a suicide. Barta’s mother was denied his life insurance payout.
After his death Barta’s name was largely erased from Hungarian media.
In 1992 a selection of his Locomotiv GT recordings was released. It was titled In memoriam Barta Tamás 1948–1982.
This plaque serves as a reminder. Barta Tamás a rock icon lived and created here until 1971. He remains unforgettable.