Found this website that lets you type in a band and see their chart singles and albums in Germany

I composed a very detailed message which was swallowed by the bot finder, so I will be brief

Prog bands that had bigger success in the German charts than in UK or NA:  SAGA, BARCLAY JAMES HARVEST (many high charting albums), MIKE OLDFIELD (same, but also many high charting singles), RUNRIG (Scottish folk rock group with some prog influences).

Prog bands with less success in Germany than UK or NA:  MOODY BLUES, KING CRIMSON, YES (other than 90125).   GENESIS didn't get any high charting album or single till ATTWT, and then they became huge.   TANGERINE DREAM Dream only had 2 chart albums, the biggest by far being "White Eagle" which only reached #35.  RENAISSANCE did not chart at all in Germany.  STRAWBS only had a lower echelon single ("Part of the Union").  Gentle Giant had only 1 brief appearance in the album charts.  Camel had 3 chart albums but all told spent only 5 weeks in the charts.  HAWKWIND had a #6 hit with "Silver Machine" and that was it.  KANSAS nada.

TULL, FLOYD, ELP and MARILLION seemed to have been more or less as huge in Germany as elsewhere

ELOY had a half dozen or so chart albums, the biggest being "Silent Cries" followed by "Colours" and "Time to Turn".  The current German prog folk group FAUN has had 3 top 10 albums

Anyway, interesting stuff

BJH were a very significant cult band in Britain in the 70s, but few albums actually charted. However, Gone to Earth was in the German charts for years (literally) and led to significant back sales of earlier albums in Germany, leading to a huge fan base. Several albums subsequently charted highly. They also played the free 1980 Concert for the People on the steps of the Reichstag, attracting around 200000 people, not counting the East Germans on the other side of the Berlin Wall. They were far bigger in Germany than in their home country.

The stats on Eloy make sense as those albums were their best (imo).

 

I was already aware that BJH were massive in Germany compared to anywhere else but didn't know that about SAGA.

Thanks for the info!  I knew both were bigger in Germany but did not realize the extent of it.  What I find curious is that none of the contemporaries of Runrig even made the charts there, like OYSTERBAND and MEN THEY COULDN'T HANG.  Of course, both of those sang in English, so the Gaelic may have been a factor.  

Of course, charts don't tell the sales figures.  For instance, Tangerine Dream may have sold well but more slowly over time rather than everyone rushing out to buy their albums within a few weeks of release.  And, as Hercules said, German fans discovering BJH in the late 70s and 80s went back and bought the earlier albums, but this would have been spread out, and not enough to reach the charts.  But still, charts are a good general barometer.

Re Eloy, Ocean was the first to chart but the subsequent releases charted higher.  Again, people probably went back and bought Ocean more over the years to solidify its status as one of their biggest.  I really like Colours, but it isn't very highly regarded here.  Obviously a lot of the general public liked it

I was a bit surprised Jane did not make the charts at all, and also thought maybe Novalis would have as well, obviously not high up but at least there

Thanks for the info!  I knew both were bigger in Germany but did not realize the extent of it.  What I find curious is that none of the contemporaries of Runrig even made the charts there, like OYSTERBAND and MEN THEY COULDN'T HANG.  Of course, both of those sang in English, so the Gaelic may have been a factor.  

Wolfestone and New Celeste are another 2 Celtic rock bands who were much more successful on the continent than in the UK. On The Line by New Celeste is a monster album which is almost unknown in the UK: it tool me 35 years to find a copy!

Wow, really? "Mojave Plan" is exquisite! One of the finest offerings (but there are so many) from that line-up. I think Hyperborea is the weakest of '80-85 (superb title track, the rest is fair).

 

richardh wrote: I was already aware that BJH were massive in Germany compared to anywhere else but didn't know that about SAGA.

 

Germany's one of the places that's helped Saga maintain a career! They're also (still) big in Puerto Rico, of all places.

In chart terms, Clannad didn't do much in Germany, and Stivell didn't make them at all.  But your observation lends support to the idea that lots of sales happen off the charts.  A band not appearing on the chart means they didn't sell enough to reach the top 50 or 100 as the case may be, in any given week or month, but doesn't really tell us how well they did over time.   So interesting about the Celtic connection though.  Just checked and The Chieftains had 4 chart albums in Germany, 

hi Hugues

Definitely goes back before 1978.  Try Donovan  

Like the UK charts, it probably was not a top 100 back then but maybe a top 50, hence songs and albums may not have been on the charts as long or at all.  I'm sure AD II would have made the top 100  

Thanks Drew!   I've enjoyed your reviews of Faun and hope to add a few more of my own, and when researching them had discovered and been a bit surprised by but pleased with their chart success.

I remember that Anyone's Daughter included a well known Celtic trad piece in some of their live performances, and a few of their tunes on In Blau in particular reminded me of Alan Stivell sans flute.

 

Do not know why Faun are even considered here, they are just a Pop band with some Folk leanings.

 

There are lots of similar bands having some chart success in Germany like Oonagh or Santiano (Sailor, Pirates stuff Pop Rock (feat a member of 70s U.K. Prog band Wally)).

 

There some joint tracks by these guys.

 

I can't say I remember how or when they were added to prog folk though Hugues might.  They don't seem very poppy to me, if anything a folk band with some prog and pop leanings.  But quite an impressive blend.

I guess it's not surprising that other bands playing a similar style would also have chart success.

Hi Doug!

hmm, possibly a hit in certain markets but not nationally?

otherwise, no idea