Opus (Austrian band)
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Opus is a pop-rock group from Graz, Austria. Formed in 1973, the group remains active today. The band is chiefly known for its 1985 single release, "Live Is Life."
History
In 1985, Opus released "Live Is Life," which topped the charts in many countries; it was a #1 hit in Canada for seven weeks in late 1985 and early 1986.[1] A live recording of the song made the Top 40 in the US in 1986. It reached #6 in the UK Singles Chart on August 3, 1985, and stayed in the charts for 15 weeks.[2] The track is popular as a sing-along song for crowds at sports events in Europe.
Another standout track from Opus was the power ballad "Flyin' High," a live version of which appeared both on the Live is life album, and on their successful US release, Up and Down. At a concert in the mid-1980s, fellow Austrian rock star Falco joined Opus on stage for a rendition of "Flyin' High."
Opus remains active, "Live is Life" remaining its pinnacle release to date. The band also has had success with other songs in Austria, Germany and Switzerland.
Principal Members
- Herwig Rüdisser (Vocals)
- Ewald Pfleger (Guitar)
- Kurt-Rene Plisnier (Keyboard)
- Günter Grasmuck (Drums, Percussion)
The group has had a series of bassists, with Niki Gruber, who joined after the first album and remained in the group throughout their most successful period (approx. 1981-1991) being the one perhaps most associated with the group.
In popular culture
"Live is Life" has been included in such ventures and projects as: the official goal-scoring song for the New York Islanders 2010-2011 season, the Current TV series Deadliest Journeys on the episode "Siberia", and the soundtrack to the 2011 film Take Me Home Tonight.
Cover versions of this song have also been performed by Stargo, Laibach, the Hungarian band Tormentor, the Estonian band Kuldne Trio ("Laip on Laip"), Axxis and Dolapdere Big Gang. Additionally, as a guest, DJ Ötzi released a version with the Hermes House Band in 2002, which reached #50 in the UK chart.[3]
Recently the song has begun to gain traction in the U.S. as it has become a hallmark of live shows of the Austin, TX based duo "Kleb and Lippart."
Discography
Studio albums
- Daydreams (1980)
- Eleven (1981)
- The Opusition (1982)
- Up and Down (1984)
- Solo (1985)
- Opus (1987)
- Magical Touch (1990)
- Walkin' on Air (1992)
- Love, God & Radio (1996)
- The Beat Goes On (2004)
Live albums
- Live Is Life (1984)
- Jubileé (1993)
- Tonight at the Opera (2009)
- Graz Liebenau (2013)
Compilations
- Best of (1985)
- Greatest Hits - The Power of Live Is Life (1998)
- Flyin' Higher - Greatest Hits (Best-Of) (2003)
- Back to Future - the Ultimate Best-Of (2008)
Singles
| Year | Title | Top-Position | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | D | CH | IT | US | FR | UK[2] | NL | |||||||||
| 1982 | "Flyin' High" | 5 | 45 | 5 | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||
| 1985 | "Live Is Life" | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 32 | 1 | 6 | 3 | |||||||
| 1985 | "Flyin' High (live version)" | ? | 37 | 5 | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||
| 1987 | "Whiteland" | 3 | - | - | - | - | - | 39 | ||||||||
| 1988 | "Faster and Faster" | 12 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||
| 1992 | "Gimme Love " | 9 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||
| 1994 | "The Power of Live Is Life" | 3 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||
References
- ^ Lwin, Nanda. Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide (2000). Mississauga, Ont.: Music Data Canada
- ^ a b Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 408. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 251. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
External links
- The Official Opus Homepage
- Opus discography at MusicBrainz