How a Swiss train ride and a culinary dropout birthed a hard rock legend
In short: In 1975, a former culinary student named Chris von Rohr spotted a field of crocus flowers from a train window. He saw the word rock hidden in the name, and a Swiss hard rock institution was born. Nearly fifty years later, the band is still defying its own retirement announcements.
Founded in Solothurn in 1975, Krokus began as a progressive rock act before pivoting to a high-voltage, AC/DC-influenced sound in the late 1970s. This shift was solidified by the arrival of Maltese-born vocalist Marc Storace in 1979. The band’s international breakthrough arrived with the 1980 album Metal Rendez-vous, followed by the 1983 release Headhunter, which became their first gold-certified record in the United States and reached number 25 on the Billboard 200.
The band's history is defined by a revolving door of members, intense internal friction, and a relentless touring schedule. Chris von Rohr, a multi-instrumentalist and key songwriter, was famously fired in 1983 after exposing the band's rock 'n' roll lifestyle in a Swiss newspaper. Throughout the 1980s, the group navigated commercial highs and lows, including the glam-rock pivot of The Blitz and the polished failure of Change of Address. By 1988, exhaustion led to a hiatus, though the band name persisted through various iterations led by guitarist Fernando von Arb.
Despite announcing a farewell tour in 2018, the band has repeatedly returned to the stage. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the postponement of their 'Adios Amigos' tour, but rather than fading away, the members have described a sense of renewal. As of 2024, the group is active again, preparing for their 50th anniversary in 2025. Their longevity is a testament to the enduring appeal of their hard-hitting sound, which remains a staple of the Swiss rock scene and beyond.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Krokus (band)
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