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Music

Trio: World famous with three syllables

"Da Da Da" was their greatest hit. The German band Trio marked the 80s with quirky lyrics and minimalist music. As a tribute to the drummer Peter Behrens, who died on May 11, here's a look back at the story of the band.

  • Bandporträt der Gruppe Trio, Foto:

    Inspired by the Rolling Stones

    Before singer Stephan Remmler (l.), drummer Peter Behrens (m.) and guitarist Kralle Krawinkel (r.) decided to band together as Trio in 1979, Remmler and Krawinkel played together in the group Just Us, where they covered Rolling Stones songs. Behrens was in a clown school at that time, and joined them later on. He was recruited through a classified in a newspaper.

  • Plattencover des ersten Trio Albums, Foto:

    First album: "Trio"

    Remmler and Krawinkel quit their teaching jobs to focus on music. In 1981, the first album of the band, titled "Trio," was released on the label Phonogramm. It was produced by Klaus Voormann, a good friend of The Beatles. The cover of the album featured only the name of the band with their address and phone number. Their mega hit was added to that album later on…

  • Der Synthesizer 'Casio VL-1'

    "Da Da Da"

    "Da Da Da ich lieb dich nicht du liebst mich nicht" (which translates as: Da Da Da I don't love you, you don't love me) became a smash hit in 1982 and led to the band's breakthrough. It was sold over 13 million times worldwide and was released in 30 countries. Their distinctive sound was provided by a Casio VL-1 synthesizer, pictured.

  • Plattencover des 2. Trioalbums Bye Bye, Foto:

    Trio and advertising

    For their second album, "Bye Bye," Trio came up once again with an unusual idea for the artwork of the album: For the price of 10,000 DM, companies could publish ads on the cover. Trio donated all the proceeds to Greenpeace. Their hit "Da Da Da" was used in 1997 for a Volkswagen advertisement, bringing back the band into the spotlight after their separation in 1986.

  • Liveauftritt der Band Trio, Foto:

    The first German band on 'Top of the Pops'

    Initially playing only in small clubs, the band gained access to bigger and bigger venues. After the release of their second album, "Bye Bye," the band gave concerts in the US. The group also made regular TV appearances, even becoming the first band to play on "Top of the Pops" on the BBC.

  • Trio-Sänger Stephan Remmler, Foto:

    Breakup in 1986

    In 1984, Trio took a small break after releasing their final album "What's the Password" - which flopped. In 1986, the band officially broke up because of their musical differences. Afterwards, the band members undertook solo projects, but only singer Stephan Remmler (picture) achieved some success in this endeavor.

  • Trio-Schlagzeuger Peter Behrens, Foto:

    'The clown with the drum'

    After Trio, Peter Behrens tried to pursue a solo career - without success. He struggled with alcohol and drug problems and had money worries. In 2013, the drummer, whose trademark was his red suspenders, published his autobiography, whose title translates "The clown with the drum: My Life with Trio - but not only." Behrens died on May 11, at the age of 68.


  • Bandporträt der Gruppe Trio, Foto:

    Inspired by the Rolling Stones

    Before singer Stephan Remmler (l.), drummer Peter Behrens (m.) and guitarist Kralle Krawinkel (r.) decided to band together as Trio in 1979, Remmler and Krawinkel played together in the group Just Us, where they covered Rolling Stones songs. Behrens was in a clown school at that time, and joined them later on. He was recruited through a classified in a newspaper.

  • Plattencover des ersten Trio Albums, Foto:

    First album: "Trio"

    Remmler and Krawinkel quit their teaching jobs to focus on music. In 1981, the first album of the band, titled "Trio," was released on the label Phonogramm. It was produced by Klaus Voormann, a good friend of The Beatles. The cover of the album featured only the name of the band with their address and phone number. Their mega hit was added to that album later on…

  • Der Synthesizer 'Casio VL-1'

    "Da Da Da"

    "Da Da Da ich lieb dich nicht du liebst mich nicht" (which translates as: Da Da Da I don't love you, you don't love me) became a smash hit in 1982 and led to the band's breakthrough. It was sold over 13 million times worldwide and was released in 30 countries. Their distinctive sound was provided by a Casio VL-1 synthesizer, pictured.

  • Plattencover des 2. Trioalbums Bye Bye, Foto:

    Trio and advertising

    For their second album, "Bye Bye," Trio came up once again with an unusual idea for the artwork of the album: For the price of 10,000 DM, companies could publish ads on the cover. Trio donated all the proceeds to Greenpeace. Their hit "Da Da Da" was used in 1997 for a Volkswagen advertisement, bringing back the band into the spotlight after their separation in 1986.

  • Liveauftritt der Band Trio, Foto:

    The first German band on 'Top of the Pops'

    Initially playing only in small clubs, the band gained access to bigger and bigger venues. After the release of their second album, "Bye Bye," the band gave concerts in the US. The group also made regular TV appearances, even becoming the first band to play on "Top of the Pops" on the BBC.

  • Trio-Sänger Stephan Remmler, Foto:

    Breakup in 1986

    In 1984, Trio took a small break after releasing their final album "What's the Password" - which flopped. In 1986, the band officially broke up because of their musical differences. Afterwards, the band members undertook solo projects, but only singer Stephan Remmler (picture) achieved some success in this endeavor.

  • Trio-Schlagzeuger Peter Behrens, Foto:

    'The clown with the drum'

    After Trio, Peter Behrens tried to pursue a solo career - without success. He struggled with alcohol and drug problems and had money worries. In 2013, the drummer, whose trademark was his red suspenders, published his autobiography, whose title translates "The clown with the drum: My Life with Trio - but not only." Behrens died on May 11, at the age of 68.


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