Original Article By dpa Staff - (Translation by Sabine Clement) Cologne (dpa) - a-ha is back. After the enormous success of the comeback album 'Minor Earth Major Sky', the three musicians Morten Harket, Magne Furuholmen and Paul Waaktaar will tour Germany from November 24th until the 30th."We last toured Germany seven years ago, but we still know how to play," singer Morten Harket (40) said to dpa [*] in Cologne on Friday. "We will also play known hits from the eighties, our fans expect that from us."
The three musicians are looking forward to the Germany tour. "The German fans have always been very enthusiastic," said guitar player Paul Waaktaar (38). "Yet, playing for fans is also difficult. We don't play a specific song, and right away, some people are disappointed."
The hit 'Take On Me' gave a-ha their break-through. Other successful songs, like 'Hunting High and Low', followed. In 1993, it all became quiet around the three Norwegians. Harket and Waaktaar stepped into solo projects. The 37-year old Furuholmen turned towards painting. "At the beginning of this year, we said to ourselves: let's see what we can still do. We were very surprised to see this kind of success," Harket declared.
Now that the album, which was released in Europe in April, has hit gold and platinum, it will also be released to the American market in spring 2001. "We just signed a contract with Atlantic Records," Waaktaar said. "Our success recipe is: not simply writing happy dance music, but rather songs about life, songs with feeling." The Doors, Simple Minds or Sheryl Crow are examples.
The success that came with the comeback, also causes some trouble. "We've always been a media band. And that raises conflicts in one's private life," Harket said, who still looks a lot like a teenie star. Two years ago, the singer got through a divorce, and he doesn't have a new girlfriend. "But there are two sexes roaming this planet, and I haven't turned to stone either. Still, it would be nice to have someone waiting for me at home."