Double (band)

Double
Background information
OriginZürich, Switzerland
GenresPop rock[1]
Years active1983–1987
LabelsPolydor Records, A&M Records
Past membersKurt Maloo
Felix Haug
Websitehttp://www.doublecity.com

Double (pronounced ['duːblə]) was a Swiss music duo best known for their hit single "The Captain of Her Heart".[2][3][4][5]

Biography

The duo was formed in 1983 in Zürich, Switzerland, by Felix Haug (drums and keyboards) and Kurt Maloo (guitar and vocals) out of the trio Ping Pong of which both Maloo and Haug were members. Ping Pong formed in 1981, and had some early success with a single entitled "Rhythm Walk". They also recorded with Phil Manzanera of Roxy Music, though due to legal issues none of their collaborations were able to be released.

Ping Pong had some success with singles and several appearances around Europe in music festivals.

Prior to releasing their debut album, the duo issued a few singles, of which "Naningo", "Rangoon Moon", and "Woman of the World" were the most popular. The duo were initially into experimental rock with Naningo, featuring music unlike that on their later albums.

The high point of the duo's career came shortly after the late 1985 release of their first full-length album, Blue. The album contained two of the band's earlier singles as well as the international smash hit, "The Captain of Her Heart"; a plaintive, atmospheric ballad, which was an immediate success throughout Europe upon its 1986 single release. It reached No. 8 in the UK Singles Chart,[6] and eventually hit the US Billboard Hot 100 at the end of the year, climbing to No. 16.

Their next album, Dou3le, followed in 1987, but, despite including the acclaimed single "Devils Ball", it failed to emulate the success of its predecessor. The pair began work on a third album, but split by early 1989 due to musical differences, though they remained friends. Haug began to compose music for films and advertising, while Kurt Maloo pursued a solo career, in the course of which he has released five albums – Single (1990), Soul and Echo (1995), Loopy Avenue (2006), Summer of Better Times (2009) and What About (2014).[7]

During the late 1990s the pair reunited in Can Studio in Cologne to record nine new tracks. The duo were happy with the results, but it was felt there was not enough material for an album, and the project was postponed. In 2003, for the 20th anniversary of the band, the pair attempted to complete the project; however, Felix Haug died following a heart attack on 1 May 2004. Maloo took the results of this session and gave the tracks to Pit Baumgartner for remixing. These were included on Maloo's 2006 album Loopy Avenue.[8][9]

Members

  • Kurt Maloo – vocals, acoustic guitar (1983–1987)
  • Felix Haug – drums, keyboards, piano (1983–1987) (died 2004)

Discography

Albums

Year Title Peak chart positions
AUS
[10] 		AUT
[11] 		CAN
[12] 		GER
[13] 		SWI
[14] 		UK
[15] 		US
[16]
1985 Blue 71 15 30 14 2 69 30
1987 Dou3le — — — — 9 — —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released

Singles

Year Single Peak chart positions
AUS
[10] 		AUT
[17] 		CAN
[18] 		BE
[19] 		FR
[20] 		GER
[13] 		IT
[21] 		NOR
[22] 		SA
[23] 		SWI
[24] 		UK
[15] 		US
[25]
1983 Naningo (EP) — — — — — — — — — — — —
1984 "Rangoon Moon" — — — — — — — — — — — —
"Woman of the World" — — — — — — — — — — — —
1985 "The Captain of Her Heart" 64 15 17 17 9 10 3 9 14 11 8 16
"Your Prayer Takes Me Off" — — — — — — — — — — 91 —
1986 "Tomorrow" — — — — — — — — — — — —
1987 "Devils Ball" — — — 30 — — — — — — 71 —
"Gliding" — — — — — — — — — — — —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released

References

  1. ^ Talevski, Nick (2006). Rock Obituaries – Knocking on Heaven's Door. Omnibus Press. p. 258. ISBN 978-1-8460-9091-2.
  2. ^ Waterman, Michael (26 June 2010). "The Captain of Her Heart – Double". Toponehitwonders.com. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
  3. ^ "Double". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2 May 2011.
  4. ^ "Double Blue review". AllMusic. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
  5. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  6. ^ Roberts 2006, p. 166.
  7. ^ "Back to the 80s: Interview with Kurt Maloo of Double – Kickin' it Old School | Kickin' it Old School – 80s Pop Culture". Archived from the original on 12 May 2015. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  8. ^ "Double - Biography". Doublecity.com. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
  9. ^ "[i:Vibes] i:Vibes Interviews Kurt Maloo". Ivibes.nu. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
  10. ^ a b Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 93. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  11. ^ "Das österreichische Hitparaden- und Musik-Portal". austriancharts.at. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  12. ^ Canada, Library and Archives (17 July 2013). "Image : RPM Weekly". www.bac-lac.gc.ca. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  13. ^ a b "Suche - Offizielle Deutsche Charts". www.offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  14. ^ "Die Offizielle Schweizer Hitparade - hitparade.ch". swisscharts.com. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  15. ^ a b "DOUBLE | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  16. ^ "Double". Billboard. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  17. ^ "Das österreichische Hitparaden- und Musik-Portal". austriancharts.at. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  18. ^ Canada, Library and Archives (17 July 2013). "Image : RPM Weekly". www.bac-lac.gc.ca. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  19. ^ "ultratop.be - ULTRATOP BELGIAN CHARTS". ultratop.be. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  20. ^ "lescharts.com - Les charts français". lescharts.com. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  21. ^ "Top 3 in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 3, no. 15. 19 April 1986. p. 14. OCLC 29800226. Retrieved 4 March 2020 – via American Radio History.
  22. ^ "norwegiancharts.com - Norwegian charts portal". norwegiancharts.com. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  23. ^ "South African Rock Lists Website - SA Charts 1969 - 1989 Acts (D)". rock.co.za. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  24. ^ "Die Offizielle Schweizer Hitparade - hitparade.ch". swisscharts.com. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  25. ^ "Double". Billboard. Retrieved 13 January 2021.