Propaganda are a German synthpop group, formed in Düsseldorf, West Germany, in 1982 by Ralf Dörper (a member of the German industrial band Die Krupps). The original trio also consisted of Andreas Thein and vocalist Susanne Freytag. With the inclusion of classically trained musician and composer Michael Mertens and singer Claudia Brücken (who had worked with Freytag in her previous band, The Topolinos) music journalist Paul Morley signed the band to Trevor Horn's newly formed ZTT Records label, between 1984 and 1986, during which they released the critically acclaimed album "A Secret Wish." They were active from 1982 to 1990 (during this time many splits, reunions and new lineups occurred), and are now active from 2005 to present. Current members are Susanne Freytag, Michael Mertens, and Ralf Dörper. Past members are Andreas Thein, Brian McGee, Claudia Brücken, Derek Forbes, and Betsi Miller. Andreas Thein (born 1954) died on 30 May 2013 from cancer.
