| Inspired by the American group 'The Revelers',
Harry Frommermann published an ad in a local newspaper, auditioned
and finally founded an ensemble consisting of 3 tenors (Ari
Leschnikoff, Erich A. Collin and Harry Frommermann ), a baritone
(Roman Cycowski), a bass (Robert Biberti) and a pianist (Erwin
Bootz). In some ways Comedian Harmonists might be called the
first German boy group.
After considerable training they met with initial
success and rose to immense popularity. Sold out
shows, records and movie appearances crowned their success.
In the years from 1927 to 1935 the Berlin based group travelled
all over Europe.
However, the advent of Hitler's regime smashed
their plans, as three group members were Jewish. They split
and both parts tried to repeat the success with replacements
- the Jewish members in the United States and the other three
in Germany. Neither of them succeeded in the way the original
ensemble had.
Joseph Vilsmaier, a German director, was inspired by the story
of this exceptional ensemble and directed the highly successful
film "Comedian Harmonists".
Famous songs by the Comedian Harmonists:
- Mein kleiner grüner Kaktus
- Veronika, der Lenz ist da
- Schöne Isabella aus Kastilien
- Wochenend’ und Sonnenschein
- Das ist die Liebe der Matrosen
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