Dezider Ursiny, known as Dežo Ursiny, was a Slovak musician, composer, and filmmaker born in 1947. In the 1960s, he was a key member of the Beatmen and the Soulmen, influential bands that helped shape the Eastern European big beat movement, mixing rock and roll, jazz, and twist during a time when such genres were restricted in the Eastern Bloc. Later, Ursiny pursued a solo career, often working closely with poet Ivan Štrpka, and also composed music for films. He passed away in 1995 at the age of 47. Ursiny remains a respected figure in Slovak culture and was honored with the Pribina Cross in 2021 for his contributions to Slovak arts.