Opus (Austrian band)

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For the Yugoslav progressive rock band, see Opus (Yugoslav band).
Opus
Opus performing in Vienna in 2008
Opus performing in Vienna in 2008
Background information
OriginGraz, Austria
GenresPop rock
Years active1973–2021[1]
LabelsPhilips, OK Musica, RCA Victor, Polydor, Dino Music
MembersHerwig Rüdisser
Ewald Pfleger
Kurt-Rene Plisnier
Günter Grasmuck
Past membersWalter Bachkönig
Hans Palier
Niki Gruber
Websiteopus.at

Opus was an Austrian pop-rock group formed in 1973 in Graz. They remained active until 2021, when they retired.[1] The band is mainly known for its 1985 single release, "Live Is Life", which reached the Top 10 in several European countries.

History[edit]

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.[2] A live recording of the song made the Top 40 in the US in 1986. It reached #6 in the UK Singles Chart on 3 August 1985, and stayed in the charts for 15 weeks.[3]

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 retired in 2021. "Live is Life" was their most popular release to date. The band also had success with other songs in Austria, Germany and Switzerland.

In popular culture[edit]

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.[4]

The band can be seen performing the song in front of celebrating Austrian government officials during the COVID-19 lockdowns on 24 November 2021.[5]

Band members[edit]

Current members[edit]

  • Herwig Rüdisser – vocals
  • Ewald Pfleger – guitar, backing vocals
  • Kurt-Rene Plisnier – keyboard
  • Günter Grasmuck – drums, percussion

Timeline[edit]

[6]

Discography[edit]

Studio albums[edit]

  • 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)
  • Opus Magnum (2020)

Live albums[edit]

  • Live Is Life (1984)
  • Jubileé (1993)
  • Tonight at the Opera (2009)
  • Graz Liebenau (2013)

Compilation albums[edit]

  • Best of (1985)
  • Greatest Hits – The Power of Live Is Life (1998)
  • Flyin' Higher – Greatest Hits (2003)
  • Back to Future – The Ultimate Best-Of (2008)

Singles (selection)[edit]

Title Release Peak chart positions
Album

AUT FRA GER ITA NL SWI UK[3] US
"Flyin' High" 1982 5 - 45 - - 5 - -
"Live Is Life" 1985 1 1 1 6 3 2 6 32
"Flyin' High (live version)" 1985 - - 37 - - 5 - -
"Whiteland" 1987 3 - - 39 - - -
"Faster and Faster" 1988 12 - - - - - - -
"Gimme Love" 1992 9 - - - - - - -
"The Power of Live Is Life" 1994 3 - - - - - - -
"Life Is Live (Live)" 2019 - - - - - - - -
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "El grupo austríaco Opus ("Live is Life") se retira después de 48 años".
  2. ^ Lwin, Nanda. Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide (2000). Mississauga, Ont.: Music Data Canada
  3. ^ a b Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 408. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  4. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 251. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  5. ^ "Opus mit "Live is Life"". tvthek.orf.at (in German). Retrieved 2021-11-28.
  6. ^ "Home". opus.at.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Opus (band).
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