Gotthard

The best-known hard rock band in its home country of Switzerland, Gotthard was formed in Lugano in 1992. Originally consisting of singer Steve Lee and guitarist Leo Leoni, the band also includes Freddy Scherer (guitar), Marc Lynn (bass) and Hena Habegger (drums). Former bassist and composer with Krokus, another well-known Swiss band, Chris von Rohr co-writes and produces each album. From the first album of the same name, released in 1992, Gotthard became a household name in Switzerland and Germany, where they toured frequently. Subsequent albums went to No. 1 in Switzerland, as did the platinum-selling Dial Hard (1994) and G (1996), followed by a Japanese tour. After the exhumation of old tapes for The Hamburg Tapes and the live album D Frosted (1997), the fourth Gotthard, Open, was released in 1999, before opening for bands such as Bon Jovi and AC/DC, and while the band's fame spread to Europe, where MTV broadcast their videos. In 2001, Homerun was accompanied by the single Heaven, the band's first No. 1 single. Following up with Human Zoo in 2003, Gotthard was invited to compose the official Swiss anthem for the Athens Olympics, "One Team One Spirit", which was included on the compilation of the same name in 2004. With a large and loyal following, Gotthard suffered the loss of frontman Steve Lee in October 2010. Nic Maeder was called in to replace him, and took part in the recording of Firebirth (2012). The line-up remains stable on Bang! (2014) and Silver (2017), before the departure of drummer Hena Habegger, replaced by Flavio Mezzodi on #13 (2020). That same year, the band paid tribute to its original singer on Steve Lee: The Eyes of a Tiger - In Memory of Our Unforgotten Friend. Five years later, Gotthard return with Stereo Crush.

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