Karol Duchoň

Karol Duchoň was a slovak singer of popular music. He studied at a mechanical engineering school, which he later left. In 1968, together with Robo Kazík, he founded the band The Ice Boys. A year later, he sang with Eva Máziková in Braňo Hronc’s group. Soon afterward, he began collaborating with the orchestra of Juraj Velčovský. In 1973, he worked with Eva Kostolányiová, and in 1974 he founded his own band, Prognóza. Duchoň also performed at the Bratislavská lýra festival and at the Bystrické zvony competition, where he won several awards.

In 1974, the singer appeared at a festival in Ljubljana with the song Za ľúbeznou záhradou (Beyond the Lovely Garden). With the song Čardáš dvoch sŕdc (Csárdás of Two Hearts; music by Peter Hanzely, lyrics by Ľuboš Zeman), he attracted attention at the Yamaha Pop Music Festival in Tokyo in 1975. In 1976, he recorded an album in Germany, where he collaborated with the company RCA. Abroad, Karol Duchoň earned the nickname “the Slovak Tom Jones.” A year later, he took part in the MIDEM festival in Cannes with the songs Keby náhodou (If by Chance) and Príboj (The Surf).

In 1977, he began singing in Ľubo Belák’s band. A few years later, he collaborated with the orchestra VV-systém led by Vlado Valovič, and in 1982 he sang in the group Za-ja-ce under the leadership of Pavol Zajáček.

During his life, Karol Duchoň also sang together with other performers, such as Peter Stašák, Dušan Grúň, Marcela Laiferová, and Jana Kociánová.

Karol Duchoň also collaborated with radio and television. He recorded several albums and songs. His voice can also be heard in films: Zlatá réva (1977), Toto leto doma (1980), Sladké starosti (1984), and Duchoň (2025).

In 2006, the Academy of Popular Music awarded him the In Memoriam – Aurel Award for his lifetime contribution to the musical culture of the Slovak Republic.