Hannes Arkona was born in Bockenem in the Harz
mountains in 1955 and began playing the guitar relatively late at
16 years old. But soon he was playing with
Hannes Folberth
in a band called »Tut Ench Amun« - later »Skarabäus«.
After that, they both played with »Deadlock«. For Hannes Arkona,
the next stop was a band named »Bronx«, which also featured
Jim McGillivray
on drums. Then, in 1979 Hannes joined ELOY to support
Frank Bornemann
on stage. When the line-up broke up shortly afterwards, Hannes remained in
the band and recommended his namesake as keyboarder. With the new line-up
they recorded the album
»Colours«,
in 1980, to which Hannes' guitar playing contributed greatly. From 1981 he
also played keyboards. He often switched instruments during the shows. The
duel at the keyboard during the intro of
»End of An Odyssee«.
has become legendary. After the break-up in1984, he launched »Shade« with
Hannes Folberth,
Klaus-Peter Matziol,
Jim McGillivray
and Kalle Bösel. They composed and performed the music for the rock
ballet »Faust«. Today, his guitar playing enriches the music of
»The Public«.
Hannes Arkona was involved in the following ELOY productions:
Colours (Album, 1980)
Wings Of Vision (Single, 1980)
Planets (Album, 1981)
Time To Turn (Album, 1982)
Performance (Album, 1983)
Metromania (Album, 1984)