Triumvirat -

Triumvirat was a German symphonic-rock band from Köln, Nordrhein-Westfalen, that was active for 11 years, starting in 1969. Amid numerous lineup changes, keyboardist Jürgen Fritz was the one constant member. Between 1972 and 1980, the band released seven albums on Harvest.

Members: Jürgen Fritz (piano, keyboards), Hans Bathelt (drums, percussion, 1969-76), Werner Frangenberg (bass, 1969-70, 1975-76), Hans Pape (bass, vocals, 1970-74), Helmut Koellen (bass, guitar, vocals, 1974-75), Doug Fieger (bass, vocals, 1975), Barry Palmer (vocals, 1975-76, 1978-80), Matthias Holtmann (drums, 1978-79), Werner Kopal (bass, 1978-79), David Hanselmann (vocals, 1978-80), Arno Steffen (vocals, 1979-80)

Triumvirat formed in 1969 when classically trained 16-year-old keyboardist Jürgen Fritz (b. 1953) teamed with bassist Werner Frangenberg and drummer Hans Bathelt. They initially performed as a covers act at clubs in and around Cologne in then West Germany. In 1970, Frangenberg cleared out for bassist/singer Hans Pape. Their name is Latin for “triumvirate,” which stands for three powerful individuals.

Their trio arrangement, which paired organ (no guitar) with a rhythm section, was heavily influenced by The Nice and Emerson, Lake and Palmer. Triumvirat’s live set featured adaptations of “Rondo” and (later) “Hoedown.” Eventually, they developed a set of originals that they demoed and pitched to EMI, which signed Triumvirat to the label’s Harvest division in 1972.

Discography: