Munich, Germany

German pop band Munchener Freiheit, often referred to as Freiheit, formed in the city of Munich in the 1981 around the talents of vocalist/keyboard player Stefan Zauner, guitarist/vocalist Aron Strobel, bassist Michael Kunzi, drummer Rennie Hatzke, and keyboardist Alex Grünwald. They released their debut, Umsteiger, in 1982, followed by Licht in 1983 and Herzschlag Einer Stadt in 1984. They hit the big time in 1986 with the album Von Anfang An on the strength of two singles ("Ohne Dich [Schlaf' Ich Heut' Nacht Nicht Ein]" and "Tausendmal Du") and set their sights on the international market. "Keeping the Dream Alive" was a Top 15 hit in the United Kingdom, but failed to chart in the United States -- though it was featured on the soundtrack to director Cameron Crowe's Say Anything. The group's latest record, XVII, was released in 2007. ~ James Christopher Monger