Gotthard

Quarter of a century ago, GOTTHARD set out from the Swiss canton Tessin to conquer the world with pure, straightforward rock and gigantic ballads. In 2016, we can undoubtedly certify that they've pulled off the trick: With 15 No.1 albums and various multi platinum awards GOTTHARD are not only the most successful Swiss band but are also a staple in the global spotlight. The hard rockers from Lugano played a lot more than 2000 concerts on three continents with the likes of Deep Purple, Bryan Adams, Bon Jovi and AC/DC, performed celebrated headliner tours all over Europe, and sold over three million records to date. For 25 years, GOTTHARD have been a regular in the charts and represent Swiss rock at it's best!

There never was a slow warm-up for GOTTHARD. Their first album went platinum after four months and rocket launched with a sound that was pure and hard rather than mainstream. After a headliner tour in Switzerland, as well as tours in Germany and all over Europe more superlatives followed: GOTTHARD played with Bryan Adams, performed at the Foundations Forum in L.A., and were flown to Japan. With their debut, mind you. "Dial Hard" was released in 1994 and became GOTTHARD's first #1 album in Switzerland. A success to be shared by all following albums. After "D-Frosted", which announced Swiss double platinum only three months after its release in 1997, "Homerun" delivered the first German Top 15 entry, triple platinum in Switzerland, and with "Heaven" the first No.1 single in 2001. GOTTHARD had built a brand with first class songwriting and fantastic live shows, providing them not only with a slot at the legendary Jazz Festival in Montreux, but also – apart from multiple Swiss Awards – with the "International Music Award" and the nomination for a "World Music Award". All following albums achieved No.1 entries, and at least double platinum sales in Switzerland, as well as Top Ten charts in Germany, while offering the opportunity for breathtaking concerts in Russia, South America, Japan and Korea.

In 2010, Steve Lee was killed in a traffic accident in the U.S. – a forced, tragic break that lasted one and a half years. In 2011 "Homegrown – Alive in Lugano" not only marked the beginning of a new calendar, but also was a tribute to the undying legend of the former singer. After careful consideration, GOTTHARD eventually dared the step into a new chapter with "Firebirth" and their new singer Nic Maeder. With respect, blood, sweat and tears, the exceptional singer managed to prevail against an array of top-class candidates from all over the world. In the current line-up consisting of Leo Leoni (guitar), Freddy Scherer (guitar), Marc Lynn (bass), Hena Habegger (drums), and Nic Maeder (vocals) "Firebirth" proved to be an homage to rock 'n' roll, emphasizing the band's reincarnated joy of making music. As if given a new pair of wings, GOTTHARD, who rank at no.6 of the Swiss all-time album chart history, kicked off their world tour across 22 countries, playing to more than 300,000 people. With a Swiss #1 entry, and once again gaining platinum sales, "Firebirth" turned out to be a sensational comeback, which nobody could have taken for granted.

In 2014, GOTTHARD's "Bang!" attested to the new energy, and apart from a #1 in Switzerland, achieved the Top Ten position in Germany. In addition to the chart successes, "Bang!" delivered the music for the band's 2014 Latin American tour, a massive open air season in Italy, the Czech Republic, Belgium, and France, as well as for the subsequent UK headliner shows. After winning the Swiss Music Award as "Best Album" in 2015, the stage is prepared for GOTTHARD's 25th anniversary and the brand-new album "SILVER", which appropriately celebrates the exceptional story of this Swiss rock phenomenon.