Alphaville

In the 1970s, in Germany, Marian Gold founded a project called Nelson Community. It united artists, who were fans of different types of art. In 1980, Marian met a keyboardist Bernhard Lloyd, who also joined the project. In 1981, the musicians gave a debut concert at which they performed their own songs.

In 1982, keyboardists Lloyd and Frank Mertens started working together. Marian joined them a little later. The artists formed a band called Forever Young and recorded a demo with the same name. Soon after that, they gave a second concert, which turned out to be the last one for the next 10 years.

In 1983, musicians renamed their group to Alphaville (after a 1965 French movie). The same year, they signed a contract with WEA Records. At the beginning of 1983, the band recorded the debut single “Big in Japan”. Marian Gold wrote the song back in 1989. The single became an international hit. It topped American dance charts and stayed on the 8th position in the UK. The song also conquered German, Swiss, Swedish, and Greek charts. Many fans wanted to book Alphaville for private events.

Soon, the band recorded two more singles. They didn’t become popular in the USA but turned into hits in Europe. They were songs, "Sounds Like a Melody" and "Forever Young".

In 1984, Alphaville recorded its debut album, Forever Young. In 1985, Frank Mertens left the band. Ricky Echolette took his place.

In the summer of 1986, the group released its second LP, Afternoons in Utopia. One of the tracks from the album, “Dance With Me” reached top-20 of many European charts. Musicians didn’t give concerts or attend private events at the time. They focused mostly on studio work.

In 1987, the artists devoted themselves on working on Soundtraxx For Imaginary Movies project. Next year, they presented the best hits album in East Germany. For political reasons, the band had to leave such songs as "Summer in Berlin" and "To Germany With Love" out.

The third LP came out in 1989. The album, The Breathtaking Blue, was presented with the assistance of a famous musician and composer, Klaus Schulze. After the release, the tracks from the album became a base for the movie, Songlines. Soon the group decided to take a break. Marian Gold tried himself as a solo artist and recorded an album called So Long Celeste. It came out in 1992. During that time, Bernhard Lloyd recorded remixes for Alphaville hits.

After a few years, the artists came back to the studio and recorded a new LP, Prostitute. In 1993, they released a compilation album, History. Next year, they presented Prostitute and recorded a hit single “Fools”.

Soon after the release of the fourth LP, the band began working on the next one. The album, Salvation, was recorded with the assistance of a talented producer, Andy Richards. The LP came out in 1996. A year after its release, Ricky Echolette left the band.

In 1998, Alphaville toured Eastern Europe. They gave concerts in many countries. The biggest performance took place in Poland. More than 300,000 people attended it.

In 2003, Alphaville presented its next LP, CrazyShow. After the release, Lloyd left the band. As a result, Marian Gold became the only remaining member of the initial lineup. Nevertheless, a year later, the band celebrated its 20th anniversary.

In the spring of 2009, a new drummer, Jakob Kiersch, joined the band. Soon the artists recorded a popular song "I Die for You Today". In December, the band celebrated its 25th anniversary in Zofin Palace in Prague. A famous Czech singer Karel Gott performed the group’s single "I Die for You Today" in his language.

In 2010, Alphaville recorded a new LP, Catching Rays On Giant. It was the band’s first commercial album in 13 years.

In 2013, one of the members, Martin Lister, died. After some time, the band began working on a new album, So80s presents Alphaville

In 2017, musicians presented a new LP, Strange Attractor, which featured 13 tracks.

Alphaville continues recording new songs and performing live all over Europe.