Günter Grasmück

Opus was a pop-rock group from Graz, Austria. Formed in 1973, the group remained active until 2021, when they retired. The band is mainly known for its 1985 single release, "Live Is Life", which reached the Top 10 in several European countries.

History

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. 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.

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 remains active, "Live is Life" remaining its pinnacle release to date. The band also has had success with other songs in Austria, Germany and Switzerland.

In popular culture

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.

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

Band members

Current members

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

Timeline

ImageSize = width:900 height:auto barincrement:20
PlotArea = left:100 bottom:125 top:5 right:10
Alignbars = justify
DateFormat = dd/mm/yyyy
Period = from:01/01/1973 till:01/01/2021
TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy

Colors =
id:vocals value:red legend:Vocals
id:bvocals value:pink legend:Backing_vocals
id:guitar value:green legend:Guitar
id:keys value:purple legend:Keyboards
id:bass value:blue legend:Bass
id:drums value:orange legend:Drums
id:studio value:black legend:Studio_album
id:bars value:gray(0.95)

BackgroundColors = bars:bars

Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:3

ScaleMajor = increment:2 start:01/01/1973

BarData =
bar:Rüdisser text:"Herwig Rüdisser"
bar:Pfleger text:"Ewald Pfleger"
bar:Plisnier text:"Kurt-René Plisnier"
bar:Bachkönig text:"Walter Bachkönig"
bar:Gruber text:"Niki Gruber"
bar:Grasmuck text:"Günter Grasmuck"

PlotData=

width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4)
bar:Rüdisser from:01/07/1978 till:end color:vocals
bar:Rüdisser from:01/07/1978 till:end color:guitar width:3
bar:Pfleger from:01/01/1973 till:end color:guitar
bar:Pfleger from:01/07/1978 till:end color:bvocals width:3
bar:Pfleger from:01/01/1973 till:01/07/1978 color:vocals width:3
bar:Plisnier from:01/01/1973 till:end color:keys
bar:Bachkönig from:01/01/1973 till:01/07/1980 color:bass
bar:Gruber from:01/07/1980 till:01/07/1991 color:bass
bar:Grasmuck from:01/07/1974 till:end color:drums

LineData =
at:01/01/1980 color:black layer:back
at:01/01/1981 color:black layer:back
at:01/01/1982 color:black layer:back
at:01/01/1984 color:black layer:back
at:01/01/1985 color:black layer:back
at:01/01/1987 color:black layer:back
at:01/01/1990 color:black layer:back
at:01/01/1992 color:black layer:back
at:01/01/1996 color:black layer:back
at:01/01/2004 color:black layer:back
at:01/01/2017 color:black layer:back

Discography

Studio albums

* ''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

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

Compilation albums

* ''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)

References

External links

The Official Opus Homepage
*

{{DEFAULTSORT:Opus (Band)
Austrian pop rock music groups
English-language singers from Austria
Musical groups established in 1973