MUSIC WAS MY FIRST LOVE AND...
Foreword 10.01.2025
I feel an immense, boundless gratitude for the privilege of living my dream. A dream that has not only filled my life but also nourished my soul. I was raised in a family that, from the very beginning, not only supported me but also believed in me unconditionally. This love and encouragement was the first step on a path that would take me to places far beyond what I ever dreamed possible.
Music – it opened doors for me that I didn’t even know existed. It brought me to stages that are among the greatest and most impressive in the world, and I had the honor of working alongside global icons and exceptionally talented musicians. These encounters, these experiences, have enriched my life and continue to inspire me in profound ways. Even now, I meet new people every day who touch me with their passion.
Had I stuck with my trained profession as an electrician, none of this would have happened. Music showed me a world I could have only dreamed of before.
Today, when I look back on my work, I am filled with deep joy and pride. Over 3000 songs, nearly a million albums sold, and over 50 released CDs – a journey I could never have imagined. And yet, it is this very journey that has made me who I am today.
I am grateful. Grateful for the music, grateful for all the people who have accompanied me, and grateful for every single moment that allowed me to have this experience.
I Love Rock'n'Roll.
Let’s begin!
I was born in Duisburg in 1966, and from an early age, as my parents tell it, my journey into the world of music began. At the tender age of eight or nine, I took my first tentative steps down this path, which would later shape me. But it wasn't until I was 12 or 13 that things started to get serious – that’s when it all began. My first guitar, my first band, and the decision that would define my life: music. Since then, I’ve never stopped dedicating myself to this passion.
From the very beginning, it wasn’t just the guitar that fascinated me but also the world of instruments as a whole. I wanted to understand how music, as a total work of art, functioned. I was particularly drawn to songs – I lost count of how many pieces I listened to for hours on the turntable or tape deck, painstakingly trying to recreate them. Even back then, I had the urge to write my own songs. Still, covering songs was a valuable school for me to learn how music works and what makes it what it is.
My first band was called "HIGH VOLTAGE." It took a while before our music actually started to sound like music. But we kept at it, practiced, and evolved. After three years, we finally had our first big success: in 1982, we won a student band competition as the youngest band. It was an incredible moment, standing on TV for the first time! Shortly thereafter, we released a single titled Scheiß Schule with EMI Electrola, and numerous appearances on WDR (one of the biggest radio stations) made us known in the scene.
The school band era ended in 1986, but for me, this was just the beginning. Now an adult, I knew: music wasn’t just a hobby – it was my calling.
At this point, I must express my heartfelt thanks to my parents. Especially my father, who had been a beat musician in the 60´s, supporting me and the band from the very beginning. He was our mentor and guided us with his experience. My parents were always there. Music was a central part of our family life. My father even set up a studio for us and took care of the technical side – both live and in the studio.
As for me, I fell in love with studio work. While others were out and about, I spent most of my time in our studio, experimenting with recording, or writing new songs.
A funny anecdote from that time stands out: I wasn’t the main singer of the band at first. We shared lead vocals, and honestly, my voice wasn’t fully developed yet – I still sounded like a ten-year-old at 16. When our school band eventually broke up, everyone agreed: “Maybe we should look for a singer, you're better at the guitar!” I laugh about it now.
In 1987, I made the decision to dedicate my life to music and go all-in. I still completed an apprenticeship as an electrician – at my father’s request. I am deeply grateful for this apprenticeship, as it often helped me finance my music career when things weren’t going so well. I was never forced to do any odd jobs.
With my next band, TAX, a new era began. Gradually, I made a name for myself as a singer in the national scene. Offers from other bands to join as a singer soon followed. But my heart always belonged to my own music and my own band.
Over the years, I’ve experienced countless milestones. After more than 40 years in the music business, I can say that I’ve seen and experienced almost everything one can in this profession. I’ve had the privilege of performing all over the world and experiencing moments I will never forget – as well as setbacks that have shaped me.
One special memory from this time is my encounter with Jürgen Ritchie Blackmore in 1989. He reached out to me, and I had my first audition at Studio M (Machtsum-Hildesheim). Although I could have gotten the job immediately, I didn’t feel ready – and neither did my mother, haha.
Later, we recorded songs in legendary studios like the Hansa Studios in Berlin and the Rockfield Studios in Wales. My first real tour in 1990 took me through Czechoslovakia for almost three weeks. We played in ice halls in front of around 4000 people – an unforgettable experience where we were treated like superstars.
It was also the time when my band Jaded Heart – my baby – was born. But the early years were tough. Even though we worked tirelessly, no one was interested at first. The focus was always on me as a person. But I stuck to my vision.
A turning point came with a call from Gabi Hauke, manager of Accept, and my meeting with Wolf Hoffmann. There was a chance to sign with them, but I didn’t want to give up my band.
At the end of 1991, I got a call from Frank Bornemann, the owner of the legendary Horus Sound Studios in Hannover. I briefly joined LETTER X, but the music just wasn’t my world. It was a valuable experience, but my heart stayed with my own music.
In 1993, another chapter began: Bonfire was looking for a new singer. Although we recorded many songs and I gained a lot of live experience, Bonfire remained a transitional phase for me. I never wanted to be “just” a singer filling the gap left by a predecessor in an established band.
1994 was a pivotal year for me and my band Jaded Heart. Finally, we got our first record deal with Long Island Records. The company was still young but promising, and the owner, Sondy Sonderbauer, a musician himself, brought not only vision but also the necessary talent. Suddenly, everything started to take off – it seemed like all the hard work was finally paying off.
But happiness didn’t last long. Tragically, Sondy passed away at only 35 years old from cancer. His loss hit us all deeply. With his death, Long Island Records collapsed, and our second CD was inevitably lost in the bankruptcy assets. It was a hard blow, but also a turning point in my career.
1994 also marked the beginning of my work as a producer. My first job in this role also came from Long Island: STEEL DAWN. It was a new experience that deepened my love for studio work and broadened my perspective on music production.
In 1994, alongside my production work, another very special phase of my life began.. Every summer, from 1994 to 2009, I spent the hot months performing on the stage of the Colorado Club on Rhodes in Greece. Performing night after night and captivating the audience had a lasting impact on me – not only as a singer but also as an entertainer. This time was simply unforgettable and significantly shaped my skills and character. Despite the summer months in Rhodes, my own music was always the priority. Whenever something came up, I would fly home, complete my projects, and be back on stage the next day.
During one of these summer adventures, I met Lars Forseth, the guitarist of RAIN, in 1997. He saw me perform at the Colorado and was apparently impressed. He asked if I would record vocals for their new CD. After a few days in Germany, I flew directly to Oslo – and the rest is history. RAIN was the first band after Jaded Heart where I truly felt part of a close-knit community. This bond has lasted to this day, and we are still the best of friends. I was able to identify with RAIN's songs from the very beginning, which made the collaboration especially fulfilling.
1995 was a year that shaped me in a very special way. My reputation as the "German Bon Jovi" was born – a title that has stuck with me ever since. The origin of this was my victory at the very first SOUNDMIX SHOW on RTL, hosted by the wonderful Linda de Mol. This experience was something completely new for me: a combination of showbiz, competition, and a tribute to an artist I highly admire.
Thanks to this show, I became "big in Germany" for about two years. It was a crazy, exciting time! I can't remember exactly how many gigs I played during this phase as "Bon Jovi" – it was countless. But every single concert was a highlight. The reactions of the audience were overwhelming: thousands of fans, especially young girls, screaming and even crying – just like you see in old Beatles documentaries. Until this point, I had been unfamiliar with this kind of hysteria, and I believe I stayed that way even after. Even though the Bon Jovi era eventually came to an end, it remains one of the most exciting chapters of my life.
Another formative experience was my meeting with Alex Beyrodt in 1996 at a Talisman gig in Duisburg. It was immediately clear that we were musically on the same wavelength. By 1997, we recorded a few songs together and decided to produce an album. The album was an immense fun for both of us and was also well-received by the labels. Everything happened incredibly quickly: we were barely finished, and by the end of 1998, we were already on tour with DORO and PINK CREAM 69, including a performance at Wacken Open Air.
For me, this album was an exciting experiment. It also showed me that it didn’t quite align with my style – at least not with what I wanted to present as a live singer. The lyrics were sophisticated but didn’t fit my image. After some time and creative differences over the direction of the next album, we went our separate ways.
In 1999, a dream was finally realized: Until then, I had done all my productions in my studio in Duisburg. But now, I was going to the USA! Mr. Lehmann from MTM was so enthusiastic about our songs for the fourth Jaded Heart album that he had them produced by Bobby Barth in Denver. I spent seven and a half weeks at the legendary NEH Studios – an experience I will never forget. It felt like a musical vacation. I recorded my lead vocals in just three days, and the rest had already been pre-produced. I recorded the choruses with Bob Harris in just one day. The final result was overwhelming and remains one of my personal highlights to this day.
Less than six months later, Bobby invited me to Denver to write songs for AXE and GUILD OF AGES. What an honor! I lost count of how many songs we wrote, but four of them ended up on AXE's album and seven on GUILD OF AGES' album.
Another highlight followed in 2001 when we went on a major European tour with GOTTHARD. For six weeks, we played in packed halls in front of around 3,000 people – a feeling of finally having arrived.
Starting in 2003, my focus increasingly shifted to working as a producer. In my RMB Studios in Duisburg, I had the privilege of working with numerous great bands and artists, including BLACKBURN, TEMPESTA, RAIN, REDRUM, CRYSTAL BALL, MARK SWEENEY, THE TROPHY, THE SYGNET, KAHIRA, and many more.
In addition to working with lead singers, I specialized in enhancing productions with my choral work. It is incredibly satisfying to help other artists bring their musical vision to life.
REDRUM followed in 2005. From the very first encounter, it felt perfect. That was Band No. 3 that truly felt like a band to me. We are still close friends to this day.
2014 was a year when I wanted to take another risk. My goal was to expand my visibility, open new doors, and maybe reach a broader audience. So, I decided to apply for The Voice of Germany. It seemed like a great opportunity to take my career to the next level. But in hindsight, I have to say: I wish I hadn’t done it.
What initially seemed like a promising opportunity quickly turned into one of the biggest setbacks of my career. Participating in the show cost me almost a whole year, which I now consider lost time, as well as a lot of money. And what did it bring me? Nothing.
One of the biggest drawbacks: according to the rules of the show, I had to remove all my music from the internet – all my albums, singles, and releases. For me, with over 50 released albums, that was a massive blow. Only six months after my appearance on the show was I allowed to upload my music again – at my own expense.
For a young artist with no releases, this might not matter much. But for me, it was a different story. With so many productions in my catalog, it quickly hit my wallet and my spirit. What was even more frustrating was that after all the effort and investment, I hardly gained anything sustainable from it. Six months after the show, my name was also forgotten by the viewers.
Goal missed – that’s how I would sum it up. It was an expensive lesson that taught me one thing: not everything that looks like a big opportunity is actually one. When I look back on this time today, I not only see it as wasted time but also as a reminder of how important it is to make the right decisions – and to never lose sight of your own path.
But the journey continues.
Of course, I can’t leave out my current band:
Since 2017, I’ve been with MICHAEL BORMANN’S JADED HARD. Originally, the project was meant to be a "Best of Jaded Heart (1990–2004)," but it quickly evolved. We are now working on our third new album, which will be released in mid-2025.
The journey is far from over, and I look forward to everything that music will still bring me.
Music is not just my job, it is my life.