Sneakers (6)

Sneakers were one of the most popular Danish rock bands in the first half of the 1980s. With a background in jazz-rock, band members moved the boundaries for instrumental creativity in Danish pop rock. They were formed in May 1979 by Morten Kærså (keyboards), [a254080] (percussion), Moussa Diallo (bass) Klaus Menzer (drums), and Poul Halberg (guitar), but Halberg left after six months to form [a684846] and was replaced by Mikkel Nordsø (guitar) in early 1980. Around the same time, female vocalist [a232045] joined the band and they established themselves as a solid live attraction, with Salomonsen as an easily recognizable front figure. Debut album 870529 was recorded in July 1980 and became a moderate success upon its release in October. By that time, Diallo had been replaced by Christian Dietl (bass). The second album 808695, released in September 1981, became the definite breakthrough. The band performed at Roskilde Festival in 1981 to '83, Skanderborg Festival in 1981 and '83, and Grøn Koncert in 1983 to '84. The band released two more successful studio albums, 868669 (November 1984) and Katbeat (April 1984), until they decided to take a break in February 1985. Sneakers reformed for Skanderborg Festival and Grøn Koncert in 1998, and for the Ken Gudmand award ceremony in 2012. In parallel, all members have continued in their careers in various constellations, notably Salomonsen as a solo artist and Kærså as leader of Moonjam.