Die Flippers

by Jason Ankeny
Die Flippers were a veritable institution of German pop, with a catalog of hits that spans across five decades. Manfred Durban, Claus Backhaus, Franz Halmich, Manfred M?ssner, Manfred Hehl, and Hans Springer formed the earliest incarnation of the group in Knittlingen in 1964, performing as simply "Die Dancing Band." In the years to follow, the sextet emerged as one of the most popular acts on the local live circuit, albeit with several lineup changes: Bernd Hengst replaced Springer, Roland Bausert took over for M?ssner, and Olaf Malolepski stepped in for Hehl. With the 1969 release of the single "Weine Nicht, Kleine Eva," their first release under the Flippers banner, the group rocketed to national fame. Their superstar status cemented with the 1970 release of "Sha La La, I Love You," and for the remainder of the decade they remained chart staples thanks to hits including 1974's "Rosemarie," 1975's "Luana," and 1977's "Kinder des Sommers." Co-founder Backhaus left Die Flippers in 1974, followed in 1979 by Bausert, who assumed lead vocal duties on many of their biggest hits. With Albin Berger installed as his replacement, the act's commercial fortunes plummeted, and only upon Bausert's return in 1985 did they return to the upper rungs of the charts via singles including "Auf Rote Rosen Fallen Tr?nen" and "Die Rote Sonne von Barbados." In 1987 Bausert again exited, ironically enough teaming with Albin Berger. The remaining trio of Durban, Hengst, and Malolepski soldiered on, but instead of stumbling Die Flippers enjoyed new commercial success, reeling off hits like "Sommerwind," "Sieben Tage," and "Ein Herz aus Schokolade" and remaining a chart force into the 21st century.