Berlin (band)
Encyclopedia
Berlin is an American New Wave
/Synthpop
band. The group was formed in Los Angeles in 1978 by John Crawford
(bass guitar). The band contained Crawford, Terri Nunn
(vocals), David Diamond (keyboards), Ric Olsen (guitar), Matt Reid (keyboards) and Rod Learned (drums). Learned left during the first EU tour and was replaced by Rob Brill (drums). The band first gained commercial success in the mid 1980s with singles including "The Metro
", "Sex (I'm A...)
", "No More Words" and the chart-topping single "Take My Breath Away
" from the 1986 film Top Gun
.
Their first single "Tell Me Why" b/w "Metro" was released on MAO records (MAO-S4. Their first major label single, "A Matter of Time," was released in 1980 on Enigma Records
and featured replacement vocalist Virginia Macolino on lead vocals after Terri Nunn
had temporarily left the band to pursue an acting career (Nunn at one point auditioned for the role of Princess Leia in the movie Star Wars
). They had trouble gaining success as the music industry at the time thought new and exciting meant upbeat guitar oriented skinny tie power pop
bands with male lead singers and thus did not understand their Synth Rock sound and more downcast subject matter. They were signed to independent label Enigma Records
where they had their first significant hit: the controversial synth-driven "Sex (I'm A...)" (1982), which was banned by some radio stations due to its graphic lyrics. The song was intentionally written to get airplay on Los Angeles radio station KROQ
which specialized in playing music that was not heard on other stations and that members of the group were fans of. Later they had two other hits: "The Metro
" and "No More Words", whose subsequent video saw Terri Nunn and bandmates re-enact a Bonnie and Clyde
-style car chase and shoot-out. "Take My Breath Away
" (from the movie Top Gun
) became their best-selling single in 1986 and a huge international hit, but also their last hit.
Aside from Nunn, members of the band were founding member John Crawford
(primary songwriter, bass guitar and synthesizer), and David Diamond (synthesizer & guitar). Ric Olsen (lead guitar), was brought in during the final recording of Pleasure Victim. Other members added were Matt Reid (synthesizer), Rob Brill (drums: 1982–1987) and Rod Learned (drums: 1979–1982). Berlin's breakout EP, 1982's Pleasure Victim, featured Nunn, Crawford, and Diamond, as well as guitarist Ric Olsen, drummer, synthesist and producer Dan Van Patten and guitarist Chris Ruiz-Velasco, (the latter two were founding members along with Crawford and original male vocalist Ty Cobb). Before Pleasure Victim was completed, Van Patten and Ruiz-Velasco parted ways with Nunn, Crawford, and Diamond. Ric Olsen was brought in to complete tracks on Pleasure Victim. Berlin officially disbanded in 1987, partly due to the lack of success of their album Count Three & Pray
despite the success of "Take My Breath Away". Nunn retained the legal rights to usage of the band's name after legal wranglings with the founding member of the group, John Crawford. Nunn recreated Berlin (with a new lineup of musicians) in 1998. In 1999 they were The Go-Go's
opening band on the latter's West Coast reunion tour.
In 2000–2001 Berlin contributed to several artist tribute album
s. The only track to make it on to a full Berlin release is a cover of Marilyn Manson
's "The Dope Show", which is included on Berlin's 4play album as well as the Marilyn Manson tribute album Anonymous Messiah (2001, Vitamin Records). Other tributes include material by Madonna
and Blondie
.
The classic version of Berlin was featured on the VH1
show, Bands Reunited
where all members (except for Rob Brill; early drummer Rod Learned participated) agreed to not only reunite as friends but as a band. They played one show at The Roxy in California to a sold-out crowd.
The band toured with rock band INXS
during summer 2011, and is currently working on a new album.
When not touring or recording, Nunn co-hosts "Between the Sheets", a popular podcast on webcast media station Hottalkla.com.
From Pleasure Victim :
From Love Life :
From Count Three and Pray :
From Voyeur :
In the UK, "Take My Breath Away" was re-released twice: in 1988, it charted at #52, and in 1990, it reached #3.
"No More Words" was also included as the B-side of Madonna
's #1 hit of 1985, "Crazy for You
". Both songs were part of the soundtrack for the film Vision Quest
. Nonetheless, "No More Words" is not included in the soundtrack album.
New Wave music
New Wave is a subgenre of :rock music that emerged in the mid to late 1970s alongside punk rock. The term at first generally was synonymous with punk rock before being considered a genre in its own right that incorporated aspects of electronic and experimental music, mod subculture, disco and 1960s...
/Synthpop
Synthpop
Synthpop is a genre of popular music that first became prominent in the 1980s, in which the synthesizer is the dominant musical instrument. It was prefigured in the 1960s and early 1970s by the use of synthesizers in progressive rock, electronic art rock, disco and particularly the "Kraut rock" of...
band. The group was formed in Los Angeles in 1978 by John Crawford
John Crawford (musician)
John Buckner Crawford is a singer-songwriter whose efforts with the band Berlin were an essential part of their rise to fame in the early 1980s. Crawford's career as a musician began in junior high after breaking his leg during a basketball game...
(bass guitar). The band contained Crawford, Terri Nunn
Terri Nunn
Terri Kathleen Nunn , is an American singer and actress. She is best known as the lead vocalist of the New Wave band Berlin.-Biography:...
(vocals), David Diamond (keyboards), Ric Olsen (guitar), Matt Reid (keyboards) and Rod Learned (drums). Learned left during the first EU tour and was replaced by Rob Brill (drums). The band first gained commercial success in the mid 1980s with singles including "The Metro
The Metro (song)
"The Metro" is a new wave song written by John Crawford for his band, Berlin. The song has been covered by a number of artists, including System of a Down, Alkaline Trio, John Frusciante and Hannah Fury...
", "Sex (I'm A...)
Sex (I'm A...)
"Sex " is the second single from the album Pleasure Victim by Berlin.-Cover versions:Canadian electroclash musician Peaches covered the song as a bonus track for her albums, The Teaches of Peaches and Fatherfucker....
", "No More Words" and the chart-topping single "Take My Breath Away
Take My Breath Away
American pop singer Jessica Simpson covered "Take My Breath Away" and released it as the third single from the album In This Skin in 2004. Her version was produced by Billy Mann. Simpson chose to cover this song because she felt that it was the theme song of her relationship with her then husband,...
" from the 1986 film Top Gun
Top Gun
Top Gun may refer to:* Top Gun is a 1986 film starring Tom Cruise.**Top Gun , soundtrack to the movie**Top Gun , a number of games based on the movie...
.
History
Berlin was formed in Los Angeles, California in the late 1970s. They were inspired by the what they felt was unique keyboard work of Kraftwork and UltravoxUltravox
Ultravox is a British New Wave rock band. They were one of the primary exponents of the British electronic pop music movement of the late 1970s/early 1980s. The band was particularly associated with the New Romantic and New Wave movements....
Their first single "Tell Me Why" b/w "Metro" was released on MAO records (MAO-S4. Their first major label single, "A Matter of Time," was released in 1980 on Enigma Records
Enigma Records
Enigma Records was a popular rock and alternative American record label in the 1980s. It was initially a division of Greenworld Distribution, an independent music importer/distributor, which it split-off from in 1985 to become its own company...
and featured replacement vocalist Virginia Macolino on lead vocals after Terri Nunn
Terri Nunn
Terri Kathleen Nunn , is an American singer and actress. She is best known as the lead vocalist of the New Wave band Berlin.-Biography:...
had temporarily left the band to pursue an acting career (Nunn at one point auditioned for the role of Princess Leia in the movie Star Wars
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, originally released as Star Wars, is a 1977 American epic space opera film, written and directed by George Lucas. It is the first of six films released in the Star Wars saga: two subsequent films complete the original trilogy, while a prequel trilogy completes the...
). They had trouble gaining success as the music industry at the time thought new and exciting meant upbeat guitar oriented skinny tie power pop
Power pop
Power pop is a popular musical genre that draws its inspiration from 1960s British and American pop and rock music. It typically incorporates a combination of musical devices such as strong melodies, crisp vocal harmonies, economical arrangements, and prominent guitar riffs. Instrumental solos are...
bands with male lead singers and thus did not understand their Synth Rock sound and more downcast subject matter. They were signed to independent label Enigma Records
Enigma Records
Enigma Records was a popular rock and alternative American record label in the 1980s. It was initially a division of Greenworld Distribution, an independent music importer/distributor, which it split-off from in 1985 to become its own company...
where they had their first significant hit: the controversial synth-driven "Sex (I'm A...)" (1982), which was banned by some radio stations due to its graphic lyrics. The song was intentionally written to get airplay on Los Angeles radio station KROQ
KROQ-FM
KROQ-FM — branded 106.7 KROQ — is a commercial modern rock radio station licensed to Pasadena, California serving the Greater Los Angeles. The call sign is pronounced "kay rock." It is the flagship station of Loveline hosted by Dr...
which specialized in playing music that was not heard on other stations and that members of the group were fans of. Later they had two other hits: "The Metro
The Metro (song)
"The Metro" is a new wave song written by John Crawford for his band, Berlin. The song has been covered by a number of artists, including System of a Down, Alkaline Trio, John Frusciante and Hannah Fury...
" and "No More Words", whose subsequent video saw Terri Nunn and bandmates re-enact a Bonnie and Clyde
Bonnie and Clyde
Bonnie Elizabeth Parker and Clyde Chestnut Barrow were well-known outlaws, robbers, and criminals who traveled the Central United States with their gang during the Great Depression. Their exploits captured the attention of the American public during the "public enemy era" between 1931 and 1934...
-style car chase and shoot-out. "Take My Breath Away
Take My Breath Away
American pop singer Jessica Simpson covered "Take My Breath Away" and released it as the third single from the album In This Skin in 2004. Her version was produced by Billy Mann. Simpson chose to cover this song because she felt that it was the theme song of her relationship with her then husband,...
" (from the movie Top Gun
Top Gun
Top Gun may refer to:* Top Gun is a 1986 film starring Tom Cruise.**Top Gun , soundtrack to the movie**Top Gun , a number of games based on the movie...
) became their best-selling single in 1986 and a huge international hit, but also their last hit.
Aside from Nunn, members of the band were founding member John Crawford
John Crawford (musician)
John Buckner Crawford is a singer-songwriter whose efforts with the band Berlin were an essential part of their rise to fame in the early 1980s. Crawford's career as a musician began in junior high after breaking his leg during a basketball game...
(primary songwriter, bass guitar and synthesizer), and David Diamond (synthesizer & guitar). Ric Olsen (lead guitar), was brought in during the final recording of Pleasure Victim. Other members added were Matt Reid (synthesizer), Rob Brill (drums: 1982–1987) and Rod Learned (drums: 1979–1982). Berlin's breakout EP, 1982's Pleasure Victim, featured Nunn, Crawford, and Diamond, as well as guitarist Ric Olsen, drummer, synthesist and producer Dan Van Patten and guitarist Chris Ruiz-Velasco, (the latter two were founding members along with Crawford and original male vocalist Ty Cobb). Before Pleasure Victim was completed, Van Patten and Ruiz-Velasco parted ways with Nunn, Crawford, and Diamond. Ric Olsen was brought in to complete tracks on Pleasure Victim. Berlin officially disbanded in 1987, partly due to the lack of success of their album Count Three & Pray
Count Three & Pray
Count Three & Pray is the fourth studio album by the New Wave band Berlin, released in 1986. It featured the hit single "Take My Breath Away", which was featured in the film Top Gun.- Track listing :...
despite the success of "Take My Breath Away". Nunn retained the legal rights to usage of the band's name after legal wranglings with the founding member of the group, John Crawford. Nunn recreated Berlin (with a new lineup of musicians) in 1998. In 1999 they were The Go-Go's
The Go-Go's
The Go-Go’s are an all-female American rock band formed in 1978. They made history as the first all-female band that both wrote their own songs and played their own instruments to top the Billboard album charts....
opening band on the latter's West Coast reunion tour.
In 2000–2001 Berlin contributed to several artist tribute album
Tribute album
A tribute album is a recorded collection of cover versions of songs or instrumental compositions. Its concept may be either various artists making a tribute to a single artist, a single artist making a tribute to various artists, or a single artist making a tribute to another single artist.There...
s. The only track to make it on to a full Berlin release is a cover of Marilyn Manson
Marilyn Manson
Marilyn Manson may refer to:* Marilyn Manson , an American rock musician* Marilyn Manson , the American rock band led by the singer of the same name...
's "The Dope Show", which is included on Berlin's 4play album as well as the Marilyn Manson tribute album Anonymous Messiah (2001, Vitamin Records). Other tributes include material by Madonna
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
and Blondie
Blondie (band)
Blondie is an American rock band, founded by singer Deborah Harry and guitarist Chris Stein. The band was a pioneer in the early American New Wave and punk scenes of the mid-1970s...
.
The classic version of Berlin was featured on the VH1
VH1
VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
show, Bands Reunited
Bands Reunited
Bands Reunited is a television program produced by VH1 in 2004. Hosted by Aamer Haleem, the show documented the attempted reuniting of a formerly popular musical ensemble for a special concert in either London or Los Angeles....
where all members (except for Rob Brill; early drummer Rod Learned participated) agreed to not only reunite as friends but as a band. They played one show at The Roxy in California to a sold-out crowd.
The band toured with rock band INXS
INXS
INXS are an Australian rock band, formed as The Farriss Brothers in 1977 in Sydney, New South Wales. Mainstays are Garry Gary Beers on bass guitar, Andrew Farriss on guitar/keyboards, Jon Farriss on drums, Tim Farriss on lead guitar and Kirk Pengilly on guitar/sax...
during summer 2011, and is currently working on a new album.
When not touring or recording, Nunn co-hosts "Between the Sheets", a popular podcast on webcast media station Hottalkla.com.
Discography
- Information (1980)
- Pleasure VictimPleasure VictimPleasure Victim was the second, gold-certified studio album by the American New Wave band Berlin, released in 1982. The singles from this recording were "Sex ", followed by "The Metro" , and "Masquerade". Pleasure Victim is often listed as being an EP album, although it is uncertain if seven songs...
(1982, Geffen RecordsGeffen RecordsGeffen Records is an American record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operated as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-Beginnings:...
) #30 US - Love Life (1984) #28 US, #55 AUS
- Count Three & PrayCount Three & PrayCount Three & Pray is the fourth studio album by the New Wave band Berlin, released in 1986. It featured the hit single "Take My Breath Away", which was featured in the film Top Gun.- Track listing :...
(1986) #62 US, #38 AUS - Dancing in Berlin (1987)
- Best Of Berlin 1979-1988 (1988)
- Master SeriesMaster SeriesMaster Series is the title of a line of greatest hits albums, released in European countries primarily by PolyGram International, as well as A&M Records, Deram Records, FFRR Records, Mercury Records, and Polydor Records...
(1997) - Fall Into Heaven (1999)
- Fall Into Heaven 2 (1999)
- Greatest Hits Remixed (2000)
- LIVE: Sacred & Profane (2000)
- Voyeur (2002)
- 4Play (2005)
- Terri Nunn & Berlin: All The Way In (2009)
Singles
From Information :- "A Matter of Time" (1980)
- "Fascination" (1980)
From Pleasure Victim :
- "Tell Me Why" (1981)
- "Sex (I'm A...)Sex (I'm A...)"Sex " is the second single from the album Pleasure Victim by Berlin.-Cover versions:Canadian electroclash musician Peaches covered the song as a bonus track for her albums, The Teaches of Peaches and Fatherfucker....
" (1982) #62 US, #5 Canada, #81 Australia (Double A side with 'The Metro') - "The MetroThe Metro (song)"The Metro" is a new wave song written by John Crawford for his band, Berlin. The song has been covered by a number of artists, including System of a Down, Alkaline Trio, John Frusciante and Hannah Fury...
" (1983) #58 US, #81 Australia (Double A side with 'Sex (I'm A...)') - "Masquerade" (1983) #82 US
From Love Life :
- "No More Words" (1984) #23 US, #1 NZ, #23 AUS
- "Now It's My Turn" (1984) #74 US
- "Dancing In Berlin" (1984) #12 NZ, #39 AUS
- "Touch" (1985)
From Count Three and Pray :
- "Take My Breath AwayTake My Breath AwayAmerican pop singer Jessica Simpson covered "Take My Breath Away" and released it as the third single from the album In This Skin in 2004. Her version was produced by Billy Mann. Simpson chose to cover this song because she felt that it was the theme song of her relationship with her then husband,...
" (1986) #1 Belgium, #1 US, #1 UK, #2 Australia, #4 Austria, #2 France, #3 Germany, #1 Ireland, #5 Italy, #1 The Netherlands, #4 Norway, #2 South Africa, #2 Sweden, #2 Switzerland - "Like Flames" (1986) #82 US, #47 UK, #36 Germany, #18 Australia #14 Netherlands
- "You Don't Know" (1986) #39 UK
- "Pink and Velvet" (1986)
From Voyeur :
- "Blink of an Eye" (2002)
- "With a Touch" (2003)
In the UK, "Take My Breath Away" was re-released twice: in 1988, it charted at #52, and in 1990, it reached #3.
"No More Words" was also included as the B-side of Madonna
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
's #1 hit of 1985, "Crazy for You
Crazy for You (song)
"Crazy for You" is a song by American singer Madonna for the 1985 film Vision Quest. It was released on March 2, 1985, by Geffen Records as the first single from the soundtrack album of the film, and later included on the ballads compilation Something to Remember...
". Both songs were part of the soundtrack for the film Vision Quest
Vision Quest
Vision Quest is a 1985 coming of age drama film starring Matthew Modine, Linda Fiorentino, and Ronny Cox. It is based on Terry Davis' novel of the same name. In some countries, it was released as Crazy for You to market on Madonna's emerging fame and the popularity of the song...
. Nonetheless, "No More Words" is not included in the soundtrack album.