So a-ha finally played their final ever gig after 25 years of music together in Oslo last night. It’s not often that I can write so fondly about a band, in my life there have been many bands and solo artists that have made an impact and those that I do write about are sadly either long departed this earth or forever split up due to irreconcilable differences.
Yet none of these bands music will ever affect me the way that a-ha’s ever will.
I was a mere 12 year old when I first heard “Take On Me”. Being a guy young guy who was heavily into Ska yet had never ventured further west that London it was bizarre to hear this delicate yet vibrant electronic Scandinavian harmony that crackled from my dear old AM radio. Different from the New Wave sound of the UK I had to find out more.
When I saw the amazing video it was etched into my mind forever. The contrast in animation with real life just seemed to unrealistic to be true, and even today the video stands out as unique. I was too poor to purchase any records back then but I did save 6 weeks pocket money to buy the 7” vinyl.
My parents got sick of me using their record player to play this “Pac man pop” as they called it. Ah some 25 years on they are now constantly listening to a-ha on their iPods.
I grew up in an era where I was born after the greats like The Beatles, The Who, Stones, Pink Floyd, Bowie etc. and too young to appreciate the greatness of bands like Queen. For me the new romantics like Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet and Depeche Mode created the music to my youth, yet only one band could create the soundtrack, that band is simply a-ha
Hunting High and Low, Scoundrel Days and Stay on These Roads were the anthems that followed me through my school days. East of The Sum, West of The Moon was played on my first ever cassette player as I left school and ventured into college, Memorial Beach played the melodies as I left being a teenager and grew into a young man. Minor Earth Major Sky played its haunting melodies as I plucked up the courage to move home to London and seek a new life in the new Millennium. Lifelines were symmetrical with the ageing lines on my face, Analogue placed footprints in my heart and now as I move to Sweden for the rest of my life, Foot of The Mountain plays echoes of all these memories to an old beat but new sound.
Now here we are. Summer has moved on and we are closely moving towards the end of a 25 year musical journey that spans a lifetime. I will be there, in the wings cheering the guys on in Oslo as I will enjoy the Albert Hall gig, a far cry from the saving as a young child to wear out my first ever vinyl purchase.
As I watch the final minute of Butterfly where the guys embrace I don’t feel sad, nor do I feel any questions of “Why”, for me it’s the end of a beautiful and incredible journey that we need to acknowledge, appreciate and enjoy.
Each song has played a major part in my life and always will. So to Morten, Magne and Paul I say “Thanks guys, for the memories, the laughter, the tears, the highs and the love” you’re without any question, for me, the best band that existed in my lifetime and nobody can ever take your place.
From Take on Me to Butterfly you have never ceased to amaze us. This maybe the Last Hurrah but it’s been one enjoyable ride. There is a line in a song that says “I’ll soon be gone now, forever not yours”.
Well on this occasion the music of a-ha’s will be ours for eternity.
