Biography

Berlin are a New Wave pop-synth band from Los Angeles, California. The group first formed in the late 70s. The original band members were: Terri Nunn (vocals), John Crawford (bass/synthesizers), David Diamond (guitar/synthesizers), Ric Olsen (lead guitar), Matt Reid (synthesizers) and Rob Brill (drums). Berlin released their debut single, "A Matter of Time", on the I.R.S. record label in 1980. In 1982, they caused a stir of controversy with the racy and provocative song, "Sex (I'm a ...)"; this naughty number was banned from several radio stations because of its sexually suggestive lyrics. The group released their extremely successful breakthrough EP, "Pleasure Victim", on Enigma Records and scored a modest radio hit with the funky and elegant single, "The Metro", that same year. Their first full-length album, "Love Life", went gold in 1984. Moreover, the rousing tune, "No More Words", cracked the U.S. pop charts at #23. In 1986, Berlin scored their greatest international smash with the sensuous and intoxicating ballad, "Take My Breath Away", which was the love theme for the blockbuster motion picture, Top Gun (1986). This hauntingly lovely gem was a #1 hit in America, England, the Netherlands, and Ireland, peaked at #2 in France, Sweden, South America, Australia, and Switzerland, and went to #4 in both Austria and Norway. Alas, the band broke up in 1987, due to the lackluster sales of their second album, "Count Three & Pray". In 1999, Terri Nunn reformed Berlin with a whole new line-up of backing musicians. In 2004, the original members, with the notable exception of Rob Brill got back together for a VH1 TV special. This incarnation of the group went on to play a single sold-out show at the Roxy in California. The other version of Berlin, fronted by Nunn, has recorded several new albums and continue to perform in concert on a regular basis.