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Gotthard - Biography


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Biography

For a number of years now, it seems that only bands from the USA or Britain could write rock history. But that's in the past now that Switzerland is attracting international attention. This small Alpine nation has produced one of the most impressive, top class and outstanding candidates with Gotthard.

Gotthard have been very successful over the years, with more than two million records sold: three times triple platinum, four times double platinum, four times platinum, and one gold single. The band also performed the national anthem for the Swiss Olympic team in the summer of 2004, along with the official fan anthem of the Swiss national football team for the European Football Championships in 2008. Gotthard also have a series of sell-out concerts to their name, including the Zürich Hallenstadion and the celebrated German Tour with Deep Purple, where they played in front of 75,000 audience members.

Of course it is not only the statistics that make Gotthard stand out. They have loads of charm, style and timeless authenticity; this is what makes them so original worldwide. With lead singer Steve Lee they front one of the best voices of all time, as Lee has worked with several great names in music: an orchestral project with the well-known Jon Lord (Deep Purple) and an impressive duet with operatic diva Monserrat Caballe ("One Life, One Soul").

Gotthard have managed, even in times of recession and falling CD sales, to forge ahead. They have continued to win over the public and increase their recognition factor.

In particular, the release of the 2005 album, Lipservice, enabled Gotthard to achieve their biggest breakthrough. Successful shows throughout Europe were followed by frenetically celebrated gigs in faraway countries such as Japan, Russia and Brazil.

One of the reasons for the success of Gotthard is the stability of the band's line-up. The original quartet: Marc Lynn (bass), Hena Habegger (drums), Leo Leoni (guitar) and Steve Lee (vocals) remain intact to this day. Freddy Scherer arrived to strengthen the team as second guitarist a few years after the band's formation and has since become a member of the family.

Gotthard embodies pure delight in performing and is at the same time highly professional and ambitious. These are qualities that are underlined by the Need To Believe, released on September 4, 2009. Many of the tracks on the album are clear statements that Gotthard is a rock band with no compromise.

(Source: MySpace)