Opus (Austrian band)

For the Yugoslav progressive rock band, see Opus (Yugoslav band).

Opus
Opus performing in Vienna in 2008
Background information
Origin	Graz, Austria
Genres	Pop rock
Years active	1973–2021 [1]
Labels	Philips, OK Musica, RCA Victor, Polydor, Dino Music
Members	Herwig Rüdisser Ewald Pfleger Kurt-Rene Plisnier Günter Grasmuck
Past members	Walter Bachkönig Hans Palier Niki Gruber
Website	opus.at

Opus was an Austrian pop-rock group. It was formed in 1973 in Graz and disbanded in 2021. ^[1] The band was 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 ranked first in various global charts. This included Canada, which ranked for seven weeks in late 1985 and early 1986. ^[2] A live recording of the song made the Top 40 in the US in 1986. It ranked sixth in the UK Singles Chart on 3 August 1985, and stayed in the charts for 15 weeks. ^[3]

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 a 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". On 24 November 2021, Opus performed the song in front of celebrating Austrian government officials during the COVID-19 pandemic. ^[4] The group disbanded the same year on 21 December. ^[1]

In popular culture

Cover versions of "Live is Life" 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. ^[5]

Band members

Current members

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

Timeline

^[6]

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)

Title	Release	Peak chart positions								Album
		AUT	FRA	GER	ITA	NL	SWI	UK [3]	US
"Flyin' High"	1982	5	-	45	-	-	5	-	-
"Live Is Life"	1985	1	1	1	6	3	2	6	32
"Flyin' High (live version)"	1985	-	-	37	-	-	5	-	-
"Whiteland"	1987	3	-	-		39	-	-	-
"Faster and Faster"	1988	12	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
"Gimme Love"	1992	9	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
"The Power of Live Is Life"	1994	3	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
"Life Is Live (Live)"	2019	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

See also

• List of Austrians in music

References

1. "El grupo austríaco Opus ("Live is Life") se retira después de 48 años". SwissInfo (in Spanish). 21 December 2021. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
2. Lwin, Nanda. Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide (2000). Mississauga, Ont.: Music Data Canada
3. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 408. ISBN   1-904994-10-5.
4. "Opus mit "Live is Life"" (in German). ORF . Retrieved 28 November 2021.^{[ dead link ]}
5. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 251. ISBN   1-904994-10-5.
6. "Home". Opus official website. Retrieved 27 May 2025.

External links

• The Official Opus Homepage
• Opus discography at MusicBrainz