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 Berlin was created under the direction of bassist, synthesizer player and song writer John Crawford in 1979. Crawford spent the next two years working at song writing and experimenting with song configurations. In 1981, he began recruiting other musicians from the Los Angeles area. Terri Nunn, a television actress and singer, joined up with the band, giving them the much-needed female vocalist. Another key member of the band was David Diamond, on the synthesizer.
This original trio put out a double-sided single of "Tell Me Why" and "The Metro". This single sold out at the initial release, and both songs were given airplay on the radio and in dance clubs. It is little surprise; these two songs were probably their greatest successes.
The band then went on to record Pleasure Victim, a seven song album, in 1982. They also gained three band members: guitarist Ric Olsen, drummer Rod Learned, and keyboardist Matt Reid. Although originally the album was cut on an independent label, it was recontracted with Geffen Records, and the band itself signed on with a long-term contract with the company.
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"Sex (I'm a...)", a song from their first album, proved to be too sexually explicit and became a highly controversial song. This was a vivid representation of Berlin as a whole; the majority of their songs are based around either love and/or sex. However, they have a sophistication to their songs that is unparelleled (as well as a really catchy use of synthesizers). This is what granted them their popularity and allowed them to springboard ahead.
They cut two more albums in the years after. Love Life was released in 1984, followed up by Count Three and Pray in 1986. "Take My Breath Away", a song from Count Three and Pray, made its way into the movie, Top Gun, giving Berlin a wider reputation. However, that marked the band's last success. It broke up in 1989, after releasing the Best of Berlin.
Terri Nunn went on to record on her own, with an album aptly entitled Moment of Truth. Released in 1991, it was her only album that she made alone.
Just recently, the band has reformed again. However, the only original band member left is Terri Nunn, who recruited three other band members. They have just released a new album entitled Fall Into Heaven, but because of recording problems, it was split into two halves, and unfortunately, there is little new music. However, they are touring again, and their live performances are not something to be missed.
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