alpha-beta, London 15.10.09

This date will forever be in my memory, the day a-ha announced the break-up!

I was surprised to find Magne at his preview art show tonight. I thought maybe he might not show up because he didn’t want to talk about the announcement of the band breaking up today, but we arrived at the same time. No words were exchanged but I gave him a smile. Actually, at the time I was too distraught to say anything.  As I write this now I’m still moody and close to tears. I’d like to wake up in the morning to find it wasn’t real but I know that it is. I knew it had to end sometime but next year, its a bit too soon. I’m also upset about all the fansites that we’ve spent hours keeping up to date and for the friendships that have formed. I will definitely keep my blog going as long as I can and thank everyone for the comments and nice words to say about it.

I saw some lovely friends: Ruth, Gitz, Chris F, Karen, Geraldine, Laura, Vicky, Kellie, Belinda, Netta, Chaz, Roz and Julia. I’m sorry if I left anyone out. I know faces I’m just really rubbish at remembering names. It was great to see you!

Anyway, here’s some of the pieces from the collection. I didn’t photograph all of them:

Thanks to Gitz for posing beside QRS.

Photos by Karen Christiansen-Wilson.

a-ha say goodbye with a farewell tour 2010

A-HA SAY GOODBYE WITH A FAREWELL TOUR 2010 | 10-15-09

• A fantastic international career spanning almost 3 decades of making pop history.
• 9 studio albums with sales in excess of 35 million – 70 million units including singles.
• 15 top ten singles in the UK alone. Nominations, awards, and multiple world tours – including the legendary show at the Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro in 1992, which earned a Guinness World Record for the largest-ever audience attendance at a paid concert – a whopping 196.000 people!

In the mid 80′s, the Norwegian trio generated teenage hysteria and general pandemonium wherever they went. Since reforming in 1999 after a 7-year hiatus, the band has seen the focus shift away from the pop phenomenon they once were towards the musical legacy they leave behind – inspiring a whole generation of esteemed artists of today, from Coldplay and Keane, to Kanye West, Oasis, The Strokes, Robbie Williams, even U2.

In 2006 the band received a ‘Q Inspiration Award’ in honor of their lasting musical influence.

With the current 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 USA.

The band will make a final world tour in 2010 to end their collaboration on a high note.

The last concert will take place in Oslo on December the 4th. See you there!

a-ha.com