List of Helloween members explained

Helloween are a German power metal band from Hamburg. Formed in 1984, the group was originally a quartet featuring Kai Hansen on lead vocals and guitar, Michael Weikath on guitar and backing vocals, Markus Grosskopf on bass and backing vocals, and Ingo Schwichtenberg on drums. The band's current lineup includes constant members Weikath and Grosskopf, alongside Hansen (who rejoined in 2016 after leaving in 1989), co-lead vocalists Michael Kiske (from 1986 to 1993, and since 2016) and Andreas "Andi" Deris (since 1994), rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist Sascha Gerstner (since 2002), and drummer Daniel "Dani" Löble (since 2005).

History

1984–1994

Helloween were formed in 1984 by Kai Hansen, Michael Weikath, Markus Grosskopf and Ingo Schwichtenberg.[1] The band signed with German heavy metal label Noise Records before the end of the year and released their self-titled debut EP in April 1985.[2] After the group issued their debut full-length album Walls of Jericho later the same year, Hansen decided to step back from the role of lead vocalist to focus on his guitar playing. After a lengthy process of trying to find a replacement, in November the role was filled by Michael Kiske.[3] Keeper of the Seven Keys: Parts I and II followed in 1987 and 1988, respectively, before Hansen left completely on New Year's Day 1989 due to "the ever-increasing stress of touring".[4] He was quickly replaced by Roland Grapow and the band returned to touring.[5]

With new guitarist Roland Grapow, the band released two studio albums – Pink Bubbles Go Ape in 1991 and Chameleon in 1993 – before more lineup changes occurred. During the 1993 tour in promotion of Chameleon, Schwichtenberg was fired due to drug addiction and mental health issues, with Riad "Ritchie" Abdel-Nabi taking his place for the rest of the shows.[6] By the end of the year, Kiske had also been fired after growing tensions between the two members had led Weikath to refuse to work with the vocalist. Schwichtenberg would later commit suicide in 1995.

1994–2003

After firing two members in late 1993, Helloween returned early the following year with new vocalist Andreas "Andi" Deris and drummer Ulrich "Uli" Kusch.[7] This lineup remained stable for several years, issuing a string of commercially successful albums.[8] However, in August 2001 it was announced that both Kusch and guitarist Roland Grapow had parted ways with Helloween.[9] In a statement issued the day after the official announcement, the dismissals were credited to "differences in priority", with a spokesman for the band adding that "It was felt Roland and Uli were paying too much time and attention to their solo projects. After a very successful tour behind The Dark Ride album Michael, Markus and Andi felt quite rightly that the focus of Helloween members must be 100% on Helloween."[10]

In early September, Kusch's replacement was announced as former Metalium drummer Mark Cross.[11] Helloween remained without a second guitarist until August 2002, when it was announced that Sascha Gerstner, who had left Freedom Call a year earlier, had joined the band.[12] Recording subsequently began for the group's next album, however Cross was forced to sit out after contracting mononucleosis, with Mikkey Dee of Motörhead taking his place in the studio.[13] In February 2003, Cross was officially replaced by former U.D.O. and Accept drummer Stefan Schwarzmann.[14]

Since 2003

Within two years of joining, drummer Stefan Schwarzmann had left Helloween, with Daniel "Dani" Löble taking his place in February 2005.[15] The lineup remained stable for more than ten years, before it was announced in November 2016 that founding member Kai Hansen and former vocalist Michael Kiske would be returning to Helloween for the Pumpkins United World Tour starting the following year.[16] At the start of the tour, the newly expanded group released the single "Pumpkins United", featuring Kiske, Hansen and continuing vocalist Andi Deris on vocals.[17] Following the touring cycle, the seven-piece incarnation of Helloween remained in place, for the 2021 studio album Helloween.[18]

Official members

Current

ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributions
Michael Weikath1984–presentall Helloween releases
Markus Grosskopf
Kai Hansen
Michael Kiskelead and backing vocals
Andreas "Andi" Deris1994–presentall Helloween releases from Master of the Rings (1994) onwards
Sascha Gerstner2002–presentall Helloween releases from Rabbit Don't Come Easy (2003) onwards
Daniel "Dani" Löble2005–presentdrumsall Helloween releases from (2005) onwards

Former

ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributions
Ingo Schwichtenberg1984–1993 drumsall Helloween releases from Helloween (1985) to Chameleon (1993)
Roland Grapow1989–2001all Helloween releases from Pink Bubbles Go Ape (1991) to The Dark Ride (2000)
Ulrich "Uli" Kusch1994–2001all Helloween releases from Master of the Rings (1994) to The Dark Ride (2001)
Mark Cross2001–2003drumsRabbit Don't Come Easy (2003)
Stefan Schwarzmann2003–2005

Backup musicians

Session

ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributions
James Hardaway1985synthesisersWalls of Jericho (1985)
Peter Iversen1990keyboardsPink Bubbles Go Ape (1991)
Phil Nicholas
Corinna Wolke1992backing vocalsChameleon (1993)
Lenny Wolf
Jutta Weinhold1997Better Than Raw (1998)
Ralf Maurer
Christina Hahne
Billy King
Rolf Köhler2000 The Dark Ride (2000)
Mikkey Dee2002–2003drumsRabbit Don't Come Easy (2003)
Olaf Senkbeil2004–2015backing vocalsall Helloween releases from Keeper of the Seven Keys: The Legacy (2005) to My God-Given Right (2015)
Friedel Amon2004–2005keyboardsKeeper of the Seven Keys: The Legacy (2005)
Oliver Hartmannbacking vocals
Matthias Ulmer2007–presentkeyboardsall Helloween releases from Gambling with the Devil (2007) to Helloween (2021)

Touring

ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributions
Jørn Ellerbrock1988–2003
Ritchie Abdel-Nabi1993drumsnone

Lineups

PeriodMembersReleases
1984 – November 1986
November 1986 – January 1989
  • Kai Hansen – guitar, backing vocals
  • Michael Weikath – guitar, backing vocals
  • Markus Grosskopf – bass, backing vocals
  • Ingo Schwichtenberg – drums
  • Michael Kiske – lead vocals
January 1989 – fall 1993
  • Michael Weikath – guitar, backing vocals
  • Markus Grosskopf – bass, backing vocals
  • Ingo Schwichtenberg – drums
  • Michael Kiske – lead vocals
  • Roland Grapow – guitar, backing vocals
Fall – late 1993
  • Michael Weikath – guitar, backing vocals
  • Markus Grosskopf – bass, backing vocals
  • Michael Kiske – lead vocals
  • Roland Grapow – guitar, backing vocals
  • Ritchie Abdel-Nabi – drums
none
Early 1994 – August 2001
  • Michael Weikath – guitar, backing vocals
  • Markus Grosskopf – bass, backing vocals
  • Roland Grapow – guitar, backing vocals
  • Andi Deris – lead vocals
  • Uli Kusch – drums, backing vocals
September 2001 – August 2002
  • Michael Weikath – guitar, backing vocals
  • Markus Grosskopf – bass, backing vocals
  • Andi Deris – lead vocals
  • Mark Cross – drums
none
August 2002 – February 2003
  • Michael Weikath – guitar, backing vocals
  • Markus Grosskopf – bass, backing vocals
  • Andi Deris – lead vocals
  • Mark Cross – drums
  • Sascha Gerstner – guitar, backing vocals
February 2003 – February 2005
  • Michael Weikath – guitar, backing vocals
  • Markus Grosskopf – bass, backing vocals
  • Andi Deris – lead vocals
  • Sascha Gerstner – guitar, backing vocals
  • Stefan Schwarzmann – drums
  • Rabbit Don't Come Easy (2003)
February 2005 – November 2016
  • Michael Weikath – guitar, backing vocals
  • Markus Grosskopf – bass, backing vocals
  • Andi Deris – lead vocals
  • Sascha Gerstner – guitar, backing vocals
  • Dani Löble – drums
November 2016 – present
  • Michael Weikath – guitar, backing vocals
  • Markus Grosskopf – bass, backing vocals
  • Andi Deris – lead vocals
  • Sascha Gerstner – guitar, backing vocals
  • Dani Löble – drums
  • Kai Hansen – guitar, backing and lead vocals
  • Michael Kiske – lead vocals

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Helloween: "We're not as big as Maiden, but we're way bigger than Spinal Tap" . Everley . Dave . . 21 June 2017 . 11 May 2020 .
  2. News: Helloween: Former Drummer Ingo Schwichtenberg Dies Aged 29 . . 8 March 1995 . 11 May 2020 .
  3. Web site: The Story of Kai Hansen, Part 1 – Heavy Metal is the Law . Ristić . Jovan . Hardwired . 15 September 2017 . 11 May 2020 .
  4. Garza . Janiss . The Heavy Metals . . 52 . 39 . 8 April 1989 . New York City, New York . Cash Box Publications . 13 . 11 May 2020 .
  5. Cooper . Mike . Music Now! . The Hard Report . 114 . 3 February 1989 . Medford Lakes, New Jersey . Hard Report . 35 . 11 May 2020 .
  6. Web site: Sunday Old School: Helloween . Diamond Oz. . Metal Underground . 20 January 2013 . 11 May 2020 .
  7. Book: Phillips . William . Cogan . Brian . Encyclopedia of Heavy Metal Music . 20 March 2009 . Santa Barbara, California . . 978-0-313-34801-3 . 113 . 11 May 2020 .
  8. Web site: Helloween: Biography & History . Rivadavia . Eduardo . . 11 May 2020 .
  9. News: Archive News Aug 21, 2001 . . 21 August 2001 . 11 May 2020 .
  10. News: Archive News Aug 23, 2001 . . 23 August 2001 . 11 May 2020 .
  11. News: Archive News Sep 10, 2001 – update 1 . . 10 September 2001 . 11 May 2020 .
  12. News: Helloween Announce Addition Of Ex-Freedom Call Guitarist . . 22 August 2002 . 11 May 2020 .
  13. News: Motörhead Drummer To Guest On New Helloween CD . . 2 December 2002 . 11 May 2020 .
  14. News: Helloween Name CD, Confirm New Drummer . . 13 February 2003 . 11 May 2020 .
  15. News: Helloween Part Ways With Drummer, Announce Replacement . . 11 February 2005 . 11 May 2020 .
  16. News: Helloween To Be Rejoined By Michael Kiske, Kai Hansen For 'Pumpkins United' World Tour . . 14 November 2016 . 11 May 2020 .
  17. News: Listen To Audio Sample Of Helloween's First New Song Featuring Michael Kiske, Kai Hansen . . 12 October 2017 . 11 May 2020 .
  18. News: Helloween Feat. Kiske, Hansen: Concert CD, DVD To Arrive In Early 2019; New Studio Album Due For 2020, though due to other matters, it was postponed until summer 2021. . . 21 August 2018 . 11 May 2020 .