A-ha calling it quits
10-15-09, 09:26 AM
#1
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Thread Starter
A-ha calling it quits
The band formed in 1982, and scored their first hit three years later
Pop group A-ha have announced they are to call it a day, just months after scoring a top 10 album in the UK.
Pop group A-ha have announced they are to call it a day, just months after scoring a top 10 album in the UK.
How sad... Unfortunately I'm a few albums behind with the cost of imports and all. I'm really hoping they tour the US somewhere nearby so I can at least see them once before that's it.
10-15-09, 11:16 AM
#5
Re: A-ha calling it quits
I'm sure you're not alone in that. It's commonly assumed that once groups fall out of the spotlight in the US that they must have stopped making music. Groups like A-ha and Roxette have long been considered flashes in the pan, but both groups actually released some of their best work post-2000. I for one am sorry A-ha is breaking up. Their 2000 album "Minor Earth, Major Sky" is a pop gem, and their newest album "Foot of the Mountain," which just came out this year, is quite good too.
10-15-09, 11:46 AM
#7
DVD Talk Legend
10-15-09, 02:13 PM
#8
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: A-ha calling it quits
Big fan, I have all their albums, numerous lps and singles, dvds etc etc. I got to see them at their only US show in 20 years in New York in 2005. I wasn't very much into what they have been doing in the 00's but I'm disappointed to hear they want to split again, that sucks.
This might not be a permanent breakup though- they did this same thing in 1994. They each do their own solo project now as well, probably Savoy is the best of the three IMO.
This might not be a permanent breakup though- they did this same thing in 1994. They each do their own solo project now as well, probably Savoy is the best of the three IMO.
Last edited by statcat; 10-15-09 at 02:20 PM.
10-15-09, 02:21 PM
#10
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: A-ha calling it quits
1985 Hunting High and Low
1986 Scoundrel Days
1988 Stay on These Roads
1990 East of the Sun, West of the Moon
1993 Memorial Beach
2000 Minor Earth Major Sky
2002 Lifelines
2003 How Can I Sleep With Your Voice in My Head (Live)
2005 Analogue
2009 Foot of the Mountain
plus a CD of early demos if you want to count that, it was only released with a book.
1986 Scoundrel Days
1988 Stay on These Roads
1990 East of the Sun, West of the Moon
1993 Memorial Beach
2000 Minor Earth Major Sky
2002 Lifelines
2003 How Can I Sleep With Your Voice in My Head (Live)
2005 Analogue
2009 Foot of the Mountain
plus a CD of early demos if you want to count that, it was only released with a book.
10-15-09, 02:35 PM
#11
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: A-ha calling it quits
I just read they're planning to tour, including the US so if any good came of this- this would be considering they only did a one off show in 2005 (last they played before that was 1986):
* According to a-ha's manager, Harald Wiik; At the moment 15 months of touring and planning is ahead, including 3 weeks of touring in South America, 2 weeks of touring in the USA before returning to Europe for concerts and festivals, including Germany and the UK.
* According to a-ha's manager, Harald Wiik; At the moment 15 months of touring and planning is ahead, including 3 weeks of touring in South America, 2 weeks of touring in the USA before returning to Europe for concerts and festivals, including Germany and the UK.
10-15-09, 02:39 PM
#12
DVD Talk Hero
Re: A-ha calling it quits
Just came in to start a thread no this. So depressing. My second favorite group of all time. Have everything they've done, including all their individual solo efforts (which are all excellent).
Not surprised to see the "I didn't know they were still together". If it isn't in the US top 40, Americans often have no idea of its existence.
a-ha are simply HUGE. They hold the world's record for the largest paying audience (198,000 fans). One of their free concerts holds the record for the most Norweigans gathered in one place (250,000). They are a global phenomenon, that for some reason, eluded the US for the most part.
Here's the official word from the band:
I suspect that Paul (guitarist and main songwriter) and Morten (lead singer) had some kind of a huge blow-up which resulted in this. They've never really gotten along too well.
Not surprised to see the "I didn't know they were still together". If it isn't in the US top 40, Americans often have no idea of its existence.
a-ha are simply HUGE. They hold the world's record for the largest paying audience (198,000 fans). One of their free concerts holds the record for the most Norweigans gathered in one place (250,000). They are a global phenomenon, that for some reason, eluded the US for the most part.
Here's the official word from the band:
a-ha Say Goodbye With A 2010 Farewell Tour
With their latest album Foot of The Mountain enjoying both commercial success and critical acclaim, a-ha has decided to call it a day.
As a consequence, a-ha will not be releasing any further albums in the future.
The band would like to thank their fans and everyone who has contributed to their amazing journey, and say:
We've literally lived the ultimate boy's adventure tale, through a longer, more rewarding career than anyone could hope for.
Doing this now will give us a chance to get more involved in other meaningful aspects of life, be it humanitarian work, politics, or whatever else - and of course through new constellations in the field of art and music. We are retiring as a band, not as individuals.
Change is always difficult and it is easy to get set in one's ways. Now it is time to move on.
2010 marks the 25-year anniversary of a-ha's multi-platinum debut album Hunting High & Low and the debut single 'Take On Me' which, with the aid of a truly unforgettable video, went on to become a number 1 in 27 countries worldwide, including the USA.
The band will embark on a final world tour in 2010 to end their collaboration on a high note. The last concert will take place in Oslo on December 4. See you there!
With their latest album Foot of The Mountain enjoying both commercial success and critical acclaim, a-ha has decided to call it a day.
As a consequence, a-ha will not be releasing any further albums in the future.
The band would like to thank their fans and everyone who has contributed to their amazing journey, and say:
We've literally lived the ultimate boy's adventure tale, through a longer, more rewarding career than anyone could hope for.
Doing this now will give us a chance to get more involved in other meaningful aspects of life, be it humanitarian work, politics, or whatever else - and of course through new constellations in the field of art and music. We are retiring as a band, not as individuals.
Change is always difficult and it is easy to get set in one's ways. Now it is time to move on.
2010 marks the 25-year anniversary of a-ha's multi-platinum debut album Hunting High & Low and the debut single 'Take On Me' which, with the aid of a truly unforgettable video, went on to become a number 1 in 27 countries worldwide, including the USA.
The band will embark on a final world tour in 2010 to end their collaboration on a high note. The last concert will take place in Oslo on December 4. See you there!
Last edited by Numanoid; 10-15-09 at 03:58 PM.
10-15-09, 02:40 PM
#13
DVD Talk Hero
Re: A-ha calling it quits
Oh please, oh please. I last saw them in 1986, and couldn't really appreciate it for all the screaming 12 year-old girls.
10-15-09, 02:42 PM
#14
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: A-ha calling it quits
http://www.dagbladet.no/2009/10/15/k.../a-ha/8589329/
According to the article:
* a-ha will hold a press conferance about the event of today, at the beginning of their last tour in Köln on the 26th of october.
* They felt it was correct to let their fans know about the retirement, before they started the new tour, so that people could get a chance to see them .
* According to a-ha's manager, Harald Wiik; At the moment 15 months of touring and planning is ahead, including 3 weeks of touring in South America, 2 weeks of touring in the USA before returning to Europe for concerts and festivals, including Germany and the UK.
reposted from cold as stone forum, thanks to Morten on there.
10-15-09, 02:44 PM
#15
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: A-ha calling it quits
yeah they had loads of screaming girls at their concerts early on didn't they- this is what made their teeny image that they struggled with unfortunately. I was too young for it but I've heard quite a few live recordings. I think they hit their peak live in the 90s, most underrated. I hope it's true too, would like to see them one last time, lucky I got to even once it seems
Last edited by statcat; 10-15-09 at 02:53 PM.
10-15-09, 04:54 PM
#16
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Re: A-ha calling it quits
Well I have these in my collection:
1985 Hunting High and Low
1986 Scoundrel Days
1988 Stay on These Roads
1990 East of the Sun, West of the Moon
1993 Memorial Beach
2000 Minor Earth Major Sky
2002 Lifelines
2003 How Can I Sleep With Your Voice in My Head (Live)
2005 Analogue
2009 Foot of the Mountain
^^How good are these ^^
Other than that dam sad news there a great band (have never been a one-hit wonder in my mind).
1985 Hunting High and Low
1986 Scoundrel Days
1988 Stay on These Roads
1990 East of the Sun, West of the Moon
1993 Memorial Beach
2000 Minor Earth Major Sky
2002 Lifelines
2003 How Can I Sleep With Your Voice in My Head (Live)
2005 Analogue
2009 Foot of the Mountain
^^How good are these ^^
Other than that dam sad news there a great band (have never been a one-hit wonder in my mind).
10-15-09, 05:16 PM
#17
DVD Talk Hero
Re: A-ha calling it quits
Analogue is good, with some great songs. I'd give it a B.
Foot of the Mountain is, in my opinion, their best album ever. Every single song is fantastic. A+
Foot of the Mountain is, in my opinion, their best album ever. Every single song is fantastic. A+
10-15-09, 05:24 PM
#18
Moderator
Re: A-ha calling it quits
Well I have these in my collection:
1985 Hunting High and Low
1986 Scoundrel Days
1988 Stay on These Roads
1990 East of the Sun, West of the Moon
1993 Memorial Beach
2000 Minor Earth Major Sky
2002 Lifelines
2003 How Can I Sleep With Your Voice in My Head (Live)
2005 Analogue
2009 Foot of the Mountain
^^How good are these ^^
Other than that dam sad news there a great band (have never been a one-hit wonder in my mind).
1985 Hunting High and Low
1986 Scoundrel Days
1988 Stay on These Roads
1990 East of the Sun, West of the Moon
1993 Memorial Beach
2000 Minor Earth Major Sky
2002 Lifelines
2003 How Can I Sleep With Your Voice in My Head (Live)
2005 Analogue
2009 Foot of the Mountain
^^How good are these ^^
Other than that dam sad news there a great band (have never been a one-hit wonder in my mind).
even the title song 'Foot of the Mountain' I consider one of the best songs of the year.
10-15-09, 05:26 PM
#19
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: A-ha calling it quits
I'm not much of a fan of their newer albums but I do agree that Foot of the Mountain was better than Analogue. The live album is a pretty good representation of what they have sounded like for the past decade. It's too bad they decided to just pack it in.
Have you ever heard the album Fakkeltog by the Bridges (Mags and Paul before a-ha) Numanoid? It's pretty decent and interesting to hear where they came from.
Have you ever heard the album Fakkeltog by the Bridges (Mags and Paul before a-ha) Numanoid? It's pretty decent and interesting to hear where they came from.
10-15-09, 10:26 PM
#21
DVD Talk Legend
Re: A-ha calling it quits
I hope they are planning to at least film one of their shows for a Dvd (Blu-Ray) release. It would be nice to have some recorded memories before they say their final goodbyes.
10-16-09, 08:10 AM
#24
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Thread Starter
Re: A-ha calling it quits
What was the last album that was even released in America?
10-16-09, 09:34 AM
#25
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: A-ha calling it quits
Pretty much! Though I expected more of the "they're still arounds" than there are here. Being a fan of the Corrs too, and how huge they are around the *rest* of the world, I'm used to it. We Americans can be very self-centered.
What was the last album that was even released in America?
What was the last album that was even released in America?