Oh no! A-ha to break up after 25 years

The sun may always shine on TV, but soon it will no longer shine on the '80s Norwegian group A-ha, which today announced they'll call it quits in 2010.

"We've literally lived the ultimate boy's adventure tale, through a longer, more rewarding career than anyone could hope for," the band said today on its official website. "Doing this now will give us a chance to get more involved in other meaningful aspects of life, be it humanitarian work, politics, or whatever else - and of course through new constellations in the field of art and music."

It's not clear if the musicians will call it quits as solo artists or whether just the band is kaput.

"We are retiring as a band, not as individuals," their statement read. "Change is always difficult and It is easy to get set in one's ways. Now it is time to move on."

No new albums are coming, but a final world tour will happen in 2010, which marks the 25th anniversary of their debut album Hunting High & Low and the debut single Take On Me, which became a No. 1 hit in 27 countries.

The last concert will take place in Oslo, Norway, on Dec. 4. Tickets go on sale Friday. Click here for concert dates closer to you.

Comments

[Pedro]

I see, I see.

[Dennis]

quite sad, but I think they found a perfect moment for this, as the new album is and excellent release and a huge success (at least in Europe) and what better way to end on a high rather than a low (...no jokes about hunting here...). If there is any help needed on a podcast you know where to contact me ;)

[Miguel]

Best Norwegian band ever? No! You`re probably not very familiar with Norwegian music and that`s fine,but Kings of Convenience,Ane Brun,Radka Toneff and dozens of others could be mentioned.

[chocolate tulip]

Er...I did not even know they were still together; thought they had broken up years ago!
Billyshakes is right, it's time for the A-ha podcast. It's only right the No.1 Norwegian band get a proper send-off.

[billyshakes]

Steve,

Since you have been doing a lot of retrospective, "in memoriam" shows lately, this might be the perfect time to pull out the a-Ha-only podcast....a sort of tongue in cheek jest to the a-Ha-fia with mock sorrow and grieving. Could be fun.

[Jeff in Mpls]

I've always been mystified by the fact that most Norwegians speak English better than most Americans, yet they manage to come up with the awkward word ordering of "take on me." Huh??

[Dr. Incognito]

I was an early adopter of a-ha and listened to their first two albums quite a bit. Being part Norwegian, I took an inordinate amount of pride in their success. Morten Harket and John Taylor were the top two on my list of "guys I'd have gladly switched places with in the 80's" (David Byrne was probably number 3, for TOTALLY different reasons...).

[Kevy Metal]

Ian from Baltimore once you have familiarized yourself with the musical stylings of Turbonegro you will reconsider that declaration.

[Bassnote]

The a-Ha-fia must be drowning in their tears. I think I heard a collective scream of, "NO!!!!!" coming from the east.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Yes, it is sad that they are retiring as a band they had a fantastic career.

On the up-side check out this Literal Video Version of 'Take on Me' - there are also other classic 80's music videos redubbed/subtitled.
Enjoy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HE9OQ4FnkQ

[Ian from Baltimore]

Best Norwegian band ever.

[DerekT]

Don't be surprized if they come back in a few years with a Reunion Show.

[Jeff Fisher in Raleigh]

First Captain Lou. Now this. Noooooooo!