A-ha calling it quits after current tour

Danny Tse
Danny Tse Posts: 5,206
edited May 2010 in Music & Movies
I guess this is it....
OSLO (AFP) – Norwegian pop group A-ha, which achieved world fame with its hit single "Take on me", will disband after a farewell world tour next year, it said Thursday.

"A-ha has decided to call it a day," the group said on its official website.
"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," the band added.

"Take on me" topped charts in 27 countries including the United States when it came out in 1985. Since then, the group has sold 35 million copies worldwide of its nine albums.

A-ha is behind recognisable songs such as "Hunting High and Low" and "Crying in the Rain".

Singer Morten Harket, keyboard player Magne Furuholmen and guitarist Paul Waaktaar-Savoy had split up for many years in the 1990s before making a comeback in 2000 with the single "Summer moved on".

"We've literally lived the ultimate boy's adventure tale, through a longer, more rewarding career anyone could hope for," the trio said, stressing they were "retiring as a band, not as individuals."

Throughout A-ha's history, 15 of its singles made it onto the 10 best sales in Britain list, according to its label Universal Music.

This year, the group produced a new album called "Foot of the Mountain".
Norwegian music professionals quoted by local media said A-ha was Norway's greatest musical export "since Edvard Grieg", a classical composer and pianist who lived from 1843 to 1907.

"Change is always difficult and it is easy to get set in one's ways. Now it's time to move on," the group said when announcing their farewell tour.

Dates have not yet been announced, but A-ha will play in Norway for the last time on December 4 of next year in Oslo.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,734
    edited October 2009
    Never heard of them.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • vc69
    vc69 Posts: 2,500
    edited October 2009
    well it's about time....
    -Kevin
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  • Jstas
    Jstas Posts: 14,842
    edited October 2009
    F1nut wrote: »
    Never heard of them.

    Yes you have. If you were alive in the 80's and had a radio or TV, they were everywhere.

    The biggest hit "Take On Me" was not only a radio darling but it was an MTV star due to the uniqueness of the video blending live action and 2D drawings into a cohesive film.

    Beyond all that, the lead singer can hit high notes that most female singers can't reach.

    Here's a pretty bad rip of the video I was talking about:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AXNBR2smPY

    They are much bigger in Europe and the U.K. though.
    Expert Moron Extraordinaire

    You're just jealous 'cause the voices don't talk to you!
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  • bobman1235
    bobman1235 Posts: 10,822
    edited October 2009
    Still one of the better music videos ever made.
    If you will it, dude, it is no dream.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,734
    edited October 2009
    Jstas wrote: »
    Yes you have. If you were alive in the 80's and had a radio or TV, they were everywhere.

    I have no recollection of the 80's.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • vc69
    vc69 Posts: 2,500
    edited October 2009
    http://www.spike.com/video/family-guys-take-on/2676204

    Here's a different take of "Take":D
    -Kevin
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  • Ron-P
    Ron-P Posts: 8,520
    edited October 2009
    Great band, loved their music.
    If...
    Ron dislikes a film = go out and buy it.
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  • audiobliss
    audiobliss Posts: 12,518
    edited October 2009
    vc69 wrote: »
    http://www.spike.com/video/family-guys-take-on/2676204

    Here's a different take of "Take":D
    LOL! That's awesome.

    I LOVE that song, and the original music video. If you search for it on youtube, there's also a version to the original video, but with words that match the video. I don't know how, but the dude sounds just like the original.
    George Grand wrote: »
    Jstas wrote: »
    Simple question. If you had a cool million bucks, what would you do with it?
    Wonder WTF happened to the rest of my money.
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  • polkatese
    polkatese Posts: 6,767
    edited October 2009
    It was a cherished memory for sure. One consistent theme, looking back, if you compared A-HA, Wham, Pesudo Echo, and others, what do you see?
    I am sorry, I have no opinion on the matter. I am sure you do. So, don't mind me, I just want to talk audio and pie.
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  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited October 2009
    F1nut wrote: »
    I have no recollection of the 80's.

    You would have to have been in a coma not to hear them. Even then, I would think some of their songs would give you deja vu's. :p
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited October 2009
    I have no reason to live anymore... goodbye cruel world......










    I can almost bet I am the only one in here that ever saw them live in concert :eek: ;)
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited October 2009
    polkatese wrote: »
    if you compared A-HA, Wham, Pesudo Echo, and others, what do you see?


    a lot of big 80's hair and bad fashions :p
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited October 2009
    danger boy wrote: »
    a lot of big 80's hair and bad fashions :p

    :D:eek: Yup!:D
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  • kevhed72
    kevhed72 Posts: 5,065
    edited October 2009
    Didn't they tour with "Flock of Seagulls" at one time...
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,329
    edited October 2009
    polkatese wrote: »
    if you compared A-HA, Wham, Pesudo Echo, and others, what do you see?

    All those guys were Freddie Mercury's groupies.
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  • polkatese
    polkatese Posts: 6,767
    edited October 2009
    Don't forget MJ Thriller Red Jacket...
    I am sorry, I have no opinion on the matter. I am sure you do. So, don't mind me, I just want to talk audio and pie.
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited October 2009
    F1nut wrote: »
    I have no recollection of the 80's.

    you were asleep in your tomb, a different dark angel was running the coven........still bad, still nationwide.

    RT1
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited October 2009
    They could do worse. Freddie Mercury was one hell of a talented performer! For a man he had an incredible vocal range.
    TOOLFORLIFEFAN wrote: »
    All those guys were Freddie Mercury's groupies.
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  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited October 2009
    Freddie was one of a kind. Great talent, great music (well, some of it not that great :)).
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,329
    edited October 2009
    cfrizz wrote: »
    They could do worse. Freddie Mercury was one hell of a talented performer! For a man he had an incredible vocal range.


    Very much AGREE!!! I was not taking a shot at Freddie as I like Queen. I was J/K around.
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  • Danny Tse
    Danny Tse Posts: 5,206
    edited October 2009
    Lasareath wrote: »
    I only knew of that one song, I never knew they were still together.

    A-ha's "Sun Always Shines On TV" was the follow-up single to "Take On Me" and it was, at the minimum, a top-20 single....depends on which chart you were looking at.
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  • POIDOG
    POIDOG Posts: 391
    edited October 2009
    polkatese wrote: »
    It was a cherished memory for sure. One consistent theme, looking back, if you compared A-HA, Wham, Pesudo Echo, and others, what do you see?

    Politically incorrect thoughts :p

    On a higher note "Sheer Heart Attack" is my fav Queen

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbnJH95QCKk
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  • polkatese
    polkatese Posts: 6,767
    edited October 2009
    danger boy wrote: »
    a lot of big 80's hair and bad fashions :p

    it was bad because you're judging it from today. Back then, it was "THE" coveted look...:p
    I am sorry, I have no opinion on the matter. I am sure you do. So, don't mind me, I just want to talk audio and pie.
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  • POIDOG
    POIDOG Posts: 391
    edited October 2009
    polkatese wrote: »
    it was bad because you're judging it from today. Back then, it was "THE" coveted look...:p

    Plus "Take Me On" was a hot club jam (in the 80's) ;)
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  • polkatese
    polkatese Posts: 6,767
    edited October 2009
    What happened to Oran "Juice" Jones or Gregory Abbott?
    I am sorry, I have no opinion on the matter. I am sure you do. So, don't mind me, I just want to talk audio and pie.
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  • Ron-P
    Ron-P Posts: 8,520
    edited May 2010
    We saw them last night, in a word, amazing!

    Morten's voice hasn't changed in 25 years, he sounded live just like he does on his albums from back in the 80's, my wife and I were floored. Every note, every high and low, just perfect. They were on stage for 2 hours playing non-stop.

    Finally, on their last night in the states at the end of a 25 year run my wife and I were treated to one hell of an awesome show. This band was one of our most favorite and we listened to them a lot back in the day, finally seeing them live is something we will never forget. My daughter, 13, loved it. She wants me to load up all my CD's into iTunes for her.
    If...
    Ron dislikes a film = go out and buy it.
    Ron loves a film = don't even rent.
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  • Danny Tse
    Danny Tse Posts: 5,206
    edited May 2010
    Ron-P wrote: »
    We saw them last night, in a word, amazing!

    Morten's voice hasn't changed in 25 years, he sounded live just like he does on his albums from back in the 80's, my wife and I were floored. Every note, every high and low, just perfect. They were on stage for 2 hours playing non-stop.

    Finally, on their last night in the states at the end of a 25 year run my wife and I were treated to one hell of an awesome show. This band was one of our most favorite and we listened to them a lot back in the day, finally seeing them live is something we will never forget. My daughter, 13, loved it. She wants me to load up all my CD's into iTunes for her.

    Sounds great, Ron! Just out of curiosity, were they performing as a trio, or were there other musicians playing?
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  • Ron-P
    Ron-P Posts: 8,520
    edited May 2010
    They had a drummer and guitarist towards the back of the stage behind the three.
    If...
    Ron dislikes a film = go out and buy it.
    Ron loves a film = don't even rent.
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  • On3s&Z3r0s
    On3s&Z3r0s Posts: 1,013
    edited May 2010
    Don't remember the name of the guy, but a Rolling Stone critic did a piece ranking all the James Bond movie theme songs and he put the one by A-Ha at #1. That's some high praise considering all the artists who have ever done theme songs for Bond movies.
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  • Ron-P
    Ron-P Posts: 8,520
    edited May 2010
    And they played that one last night.
    If...
    Ron dislikes a film = go out and buy it.
    Ron loves a film = don't even rent.
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