Triumvirat began as a top 40 local band in Cologne, Germany. Founding members were keyboardist/pianist- Hans-Jürgen Fritz, drummer/lyricist- Hans Bathelt and Werner Frangenberg (bass). Becoming fans of `The Nice,' and then- `ELP,' they used their influences to head in a classical progressive direction.
The band formed in 1969; Record label- EMI liked Triumvirat's early sound and signed them a year later. Bassist- Frangenberg left the band before recording any vinyl and was replaced by Hans Pope.
In 1972- `Mediterranean Tales: Across The Waters,' was released on Harvest/EMI. The album was recently remastered for a 30th anniversary release.
The next album- `Illusions On a Double Dimple' was released on the same label in 1974 and shows obvious similarities to ELP's Tarkus album. During the album's recording, Hans Pape left and was replaced by Jürgen's cousin- Helmut Köllen who was a versatile musician as well as a songwriter. The album did well in Germany and in surrounding countries. News of the album spread outside Europe and Capital records released the album in the USA.
Gaining respectability and a solid following, Triumvirat opened up for "Fleetwood Mac," in 1974 and then went back into the studio and recorded their masterpiece (in my humble opinion), concept album based on Spartacus- a slave who lived in 73 BC snd who led a revolt against the Roman Empire. The album was recorded 29 days and after touring in Europe, the band joined Nektar, Caravan, and others and toured the United States.
After the tours, Helmut left the band (to concentrate on a solo career), and after a quick replacement (Doug Fieger), the band re-welcomed Werner Frangenberg back on bass and added vocalist Barry Palmer.
"Take A Break Today"- a poppy single- released in late 1975, was the band's attempt at a more commercial sound and the first to use Barry Palmer's vocal talents. The single was not a commercial success.
After the 1976 album- `Old Loves Die Hard', which returned to a more familiar and `progressive' sound, but only received moderate success- a number of lineup changes (Werner left and was replaced by bassist Deter Petereit (formerly of Passport) Matthias Holtmann became the new drummer.
In late 1976, Helmut Köllen rejoined the band again but on May 3, 1977, Helmut Köllen tragically died of carbon monoxide poisoning at the age of 27. After a period of grief, the band decided to go ahead, adding drummer Curt Cress as well as Deter Petereit rejoining on bass.
In 1977 `New Triumvirat Presents Pompeii,' was released to good reviews. The single- "Hymn" was a big hit in Germany.
Triumvirat's last two replacement didn't last long, Cress and Petereit were replaced by bassist- Werner Kopal and Matthias Holtmann (drums). With disco and punk exploding all over America, Capitol Records dropped the group in the US.
1980's `Russian Roulette,' was another conscious attempt at turning the band into a more pop/commercial group. With the addition of a number of session musicians, the band had lost it's familiar sound. "Party Life" was released as a single which garnished a punk-like flavor.
With poor sales and lessened success, Jürgen disbanded the group and kept busy composing film scores.
In 2002, Triumvirat is still alive! Hans-Jürgen has reformed the band and has been writing a conceptual album for the past 4 years based on cloning and the duplication of human genetics and the unknown problems that arise from this technology (the root theme of their story). Jürgen insists that this is not a true story (but it seems to mirror the truth). The first song that he wrote for the album was inspired by Ray Bradbury's `Something Wicked this Way Comes.' He recruited Grant Stevens as vocalist and added drummer Curt Cress. Their web page has streaming video explaining the album and sample music. Jürgen has suggested that this is a trilogy, so hopefully Triumvirat will be around and stronger for years to come.
As of September 6, 2002, all Triumvirat albums have been remastered on CD with bonus tracks.
In 2015 album Illusions on a Double Dimple (1974) was ranked number 45 in the Rolling Stone list of 50 Greatest Prog Rock Albums of All Time
Thank you Russ Schenewerk for some of the gathered information/history on the band.
(click on history at the website's menu to view it)
Triumvirat Discography
Albums
Mediterranean Tales (Across The Waters) (1972)
Illusions on a Double Dimple (1974)
Spartacus (1975)
Old Loves Die Hard (1976)
Pompeii (1977)
A la Carte (1978)
Russian Roulette (1980)
Singles
Be Home For Tea / Broken Mirror (1972) Harvest – 1C 006-29 976
Ride In The Night / Sing Me A Song (1973) Harvest – 1C 006-30 407, EMI Electrola – 1C 006-30 407 U
Dancer's Delight / Timothy (1973) Harvest – 1C 006-30 484, EMI Electrola – 1C 006-30 484
Dimplicity / Million Dollars (1974) Harvest, EMI Electrola - 1C 006-30 576
Take A Break Today / The Capitol Of Power (1976) Harvest, EMI Electrola 1C 006-31 609
Waterfall / Jo Ann Walker (1978) Harvest, EMI Electrola 1C 006-45 189
For you/Darlin' (1978) Harvest – 31c 006 31149
The Hymn / Dance on the vulcano (1978) Harvest – 1C 006-32 548, EMI Electrola – 1C 006-32 548
Waterfall / (Oh, I'm) Late Again (1978) Capitol Records – SPRO-9080, Capitol Records – SPRO-9081
Party Life / Games (1980) Harvest, EMI Electrola 1C 006-45 918
Come With Me/We're Rich On What We've Got (1980) EMI – 006-4607
Compilations
The Gold Collection (1995)
The Best of Triumvirat (1995) EMI Gold 853658 2
Veni, Vidi, Vici (2000)
Essential (2012) EMI – 50999 6 44353 2 9
The Best Of The Gold Collection - Novo - Date of release unknown
- Solo albums
Helmut Kollen
You won't see me (1977)
With collaboration from Hans-Jürgen Fritz on keyboards & production and help from drummer Hans Bathelt for lyrics on The story of life.
Hans-Jurgen Fritz
Albums
Es Ist Nicht Leicht Ein Gott Zu Sein (1989) - CBS – 466250 - Original Movie Score for the film It's hard to be a god starring Werner Herzog.
Millenium - Dreams Of Amadeus (1990) Columbia – COL 468863 2, Sony Music – 468863 2 - Music based on themes from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Singles
Ohne Moos Nix Los/Keiner Kümmert Sich Um Mich (1982) - Synth Pop
Nix-Keiner Kümmert Sich Um Mich (1982) - Synth Pop
