Alphaville: The Story of a German Synth-Pop Icon
Alphaville, a highly successful German band, distinguished themselves in the 1980s music scene as one of the leading exponents of the Synth-Pop/Electronic genre. The original lineup, consisting of Marian Gold, Bernhard Lloyd, and Frank Mertens, created songs that became true icons of the decade.Their debut single, "Big In Japan", recorded in Bremen in December 1983 and released on January 14, 1984, achieved immediate success, climbing the European charts in a very short time.
The lyrics, written by Marian Gold, tell the story of a pair of lovers who dream of a romantic escape to Japan, envisioned as a sort of utopian paradise, far from the difficulties of everyday life. Musically, "Big in Japan" is characterized by a skillful use of synthesizers, which create a rich and layered sound, typical of the Synth-Pop of the time. For the creation of the distinctive bass line, the band used a Roland System-100M modular synthesizer, an instrument very popular in electronic music of those years. The melody, developed synergistically by all three band members in their home studio, proved to be a winning formula. The melodic line of the chorus, catchy and incisive, contributed decisively to the global success of the song, along with the instrumental intro, with its hypnotic synth riff, which became one of the song's trademarks, immediately recognizable from the first notes. The single reached the top of the charts in West Germany, Sweden, and Switzerland, and it ranked eighth in the UK Singles Chart, becoming the group's only single to enter the UK top 75. In the United States, "Big in Japan" reached the top spot on the US Hot Dance Club Play in December 1984, and it peaked at number two in Italy, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
That same year, the famous German singer Sandra recorded a cover titled "Japan Ist Weit", demonstrating the song's versatility and enduring appeal.
Initially, Alphaville had planned to release "Forever Young" as their second single, following the success of "Big in Japan". However, the record company requested a track more oriented towards the Dance/Electronic genre, in the vein of their previous hit. Rising to the challenge, the group composed and recorded "Sounds Like A Melody" in just two days. Despite the commercial success of the song, the band did not appreciate its genesis, which was the result of record label pressure, and refused to perform it live for over a decade.
Towards the end of 1984, the band released their debut album, titled "Forever Young". The eponymous single from the album quickly became a Synth-Pop anthem, achieving global success and leaving an indelible mark on the history of 1980s music. In 1985, Laura Branigan offered a reinterpretation, and since then numerous artists have tried their hand at covering this timeless song.
"Big In Japan", "Sounds Like a Melody", and "Forever Young" definitively consecrated Alphaville as one of the most successful bands of the decade.
In January 1985, Frank Mertens left the group and was replaced by Ricky Echolette. Despite the lineup change, Alphaville continued their ascent. In 1986, they released their second album, "Afternoons in Utopia", whose lead single, "Dance with Me", achieved good commercial success, entering the Top 20 of the European charts.
While their first album, "Forever Young" (1984), was a triumph, Alphaville found it more difficult to replicate its impact with subsequent works. Over the years, the lineup underwent significant changes. In 1996, Ricky Echolette left the group, followed in 2003 by Bernhard Lloyd. These changes marked a turning point in the band's history, ushering in a new evolutionary phase.
Since 2003, the lineup has consisted of Marian Gold (vocals), Martin Lister (keyboards), David Goodes (guitar), Jakob Kiersch (drums), and Maya Kim (bass).
In 2000, the German band Guano Apes reinterpreted "Big In Japan" in a rock style, demonstrating the song's ability to adapt to different musical genres over time.
On December 4, 2009, Alphaville celebrated their 25th anniversary with a memorable concert in Prague, followed by an equally memorable party. The event represented a milestone in the group's long career, demonstrating their lasting influence on the music scene.
On May 21, 2014, the band suffered a serious loss with the death of keyboardist and composer Martin Lister, at the age of 52. Despite the mourning, Alphaville demonstrated remarkable resilience, deciding to continue their musical journey. Carsten Brocker was chosen as Lister's successor, helping to keep the band's legacy alive.
Discography :Initially, Alphaville had planned to release "Forever Young" as their second single, following the success of "Big in Japan". However, the record company requested a track more oriented towards the Dance/Electronic genre, in the vein of their previous hit. Rising to the challenge, the group composed and recorded "Sounds Like A Melody" in just two days. Despite the commercial success of the song, the band did not appreciate its genesis, which was the result of record label pressure, and refused to perform it live for over a decade.
Towards the end of 1984, the band released their debut album, titled "Forever Young". The eponymous single from the album quickly became a Synth-Pop anthem, achieving global success and leaving an indelible mark on the history of 1980s music. In 1985, Laura Branigan offered a reinterpretation, and since then numerous artists have tried their hand at covering this timeless song.
"Big In Japan", "Sounds Like a Melody", and "Forever Young" definitively consecrated Alphaville as one of the most successful bands of the decade.
In January 1985, Frank Mertens left the group and was replaced by Ricky Echolette. Despite the lineup change, Alphaville continued their ascent. In 1986, they released their second album, "Afternoons in Utopia", whose lead single, "Dance with Me", achieved good commercial success, entering the Top 20 of the European charts.
While their first album, "Forever Young" (1984), was a triumph, Alphaville found it more difficult to replicate its impact with subsequent works. Over the years, the lineup underwent significant changes. In 1996, Ricky Echolette left the group, followed in 2003 by Bernhard Lloyd. These changes marked a turning point in the band's history, ushering in a new evolutionary phase.
Since 2003, the lineup has consisted of Marian Gold (vocals), Martin Lister (keyboards), David Goodes (guitar), Jakob Kiersch (drums), and Maya Kim (bass).
In 2000, the German band Guano Apes reinterpreted "Big In Japan" in a rock style, demonstrating the song's ability to adapt to different musical genres over time.
On December 4, 2009, Alphaville celebrated their 25th anniversary with a memorable concert in Prague, followed by an equally memorable party. The event represented a milestone in the group's long career, demonstrating their lasting influence on the music scene.
On May 21, 2014, the band suffered a serious loss with the death of keyboardist and composer Martin Lister, at the age of 52. Despite the mourning, Alphaville demonstrated remarkable resilience, deciding to continue their musical journey. Carsten Brocker was chosen as Lister's successor, helping to keep the band's legacy alive.
Album
1984 - Forever Young
1986 - Afternoons In Utopia
1989 - The Breathtaking Blue
1994 - Prostitute
1997 - Salvation
1999 - Dreamscapes
2000 - Stark Naked And Absolutely Live
2001 - Forever Pop
2003 - Crazy Show (Excerpts)
2010 - Catching Rays On Giant
2017 - Strange Attractor
Singles
1983 - Big In Japan
1983 - Big In Japan
1984 - Sounds Like A Melody
1984 - Forever Young
1985 - Jet Set
1986 - Red Rose
1986 - Universal Daddy
1986 - Sensations
1986 - Dance With Me
1986 - Jerusalem
1989 - Summer Rain
1989 - Mysteries Of Love
1989 - Romeos
1994 - Fools
1994 - The Impossible Dream
1997 - Flame
1997 - Wishful Thinking
1999 - Soul Messiah
2003 - Elegy
2010 - I Die For You Today
2010 - Song For No One
2017 - Heartbreak City
2018 - Love Will Find A Way
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