Gyula ‘Bill’ Deák, Hungarian blues legend, dies at 77

Hungarian blues and rock legend Gyula ‘Bill’ Deák has passed away suddenly at the age of 77. His family announced his death on social media following a routine and successful pacemaker implantation procedure, after which his heart stopped during the night.

Known as the ‘King of Hungarian Blues,’ Deák was a central figure in the cult film ‘The Bald Dog’ and a prominent member of the Hobo Blues Band from 1979 to 1985. His vocal partnership with László Földes was considered an iconic element of the band’s identity.

Born in the Kőbánya district of Budapest in 1948, Deák’s life was marked by resilience; he lost a leg at age 11 due to a football injury and medical error. He transitioned to music in the 1960s, performing with various groups before achieving stardom across the Eastern Bloc. In 1987, he formed the Gyula Deák Blues Band, continuing his career as a solo artist and bandleader.