Rainhard Fendrich
Rainhard Fendrich | |
|---|---|
 Fendrich in concert in 2015. | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Rainhard Jürgen Fendrich |
| Also known as | Raini |
| Born | 27 February 1955 |
| Origin | Vienna, Austria |
| Genres | Pop,folk rock,new wave,austropop |
| Occupation(s) | Musician,composer,actor,entertainer |
| Instrument(s) | Guitar |
| Years active | 1980–present |
| Website | rainhard-fendrich.at(in German) |
Rainhard Jürgen Fendrich(born 27 February 1955) is an Austrian singer, composer, entertainer, and actor. He is one of the most successfulAustropopmusicians, and his songs are written inViennese German.He is very popular in Austria and in Bavaria, but less so in otherGerman-speaking countriesand regions. In non-German-speaking countries he is little known. His song from 1990, "I Am from Austria" (its lyrics, except for the title, are in Viennese German) is still popular in Austria and considered to be the "secret national anthem".[1]
Early life and education
[edit]Fendrich's mother was aSudeten Germanwhile his father's family originated fromSerbia.His father was amechanical engineer,his mother amodel.[2]He has a brother, Harald Fendrich, who is six years younger than him and also a musician who played thebass guitarin his band and is now part of WIR4 (Ulli Bäer,Gary Lux,Harry Stampfer).[3]At the age of ten, Fendrich was sent to aCatholicboarding school,where he lived until the age of 17. At the boarding school he was analtar boyand sang in thechoir.Hispianolessons were cancelled because he was too bad atmathematics.[2]According to his own statements, he thought he was "chubby" and not very attractive as a child.[4]When he got aguitarat the age of 15, he taught himself thechordsand also began to writelyrics.Frustrating experiences with girls at that time find their expression later, for example in the songs Cyrano (1991) or Frieda (2001). He dropped out oflaw schoolin order to financeactingandsinginglessonsby working various jobs.
Career
[edit]Beginning of career and commercial breakthrough (1980-1986)
[edit]Fendrich appeared at theTheater an der Wienfrom 1980 (inDie Gräfin vom NaschmarktandChicago)[5]and playedJudasin the musicalJesus Christ Superstarthere in 1982.[6]In 1980 he was also engaged by Hans Gratzer for a performance series ofHamletat theSchauspielhaus,made one of his first television appearances as a singer on theORFprogramWir-extrafor the benefit of children in theThird World,and received his firstrecording contract.[7]
Another appearance followed inTritsch Tratschin 1981 with the songZweierbeziehung(Two-way relationship of a man with his car).[7]The debut albumIch wollte nie einer von denen sein(I never wanted to be one of them) was released in May of the same year, but initially failed to achieve high sales figures.[6]
In August 1981 he landed the Austrian summer hit of the year withStrada del sole(in a similar style, about a "vacation relationship" ). The single sold 99,000 copies in Austria, which would correspond to today's status of tripleplatinum.[8]Moreover, in 2020 the song was voted 14th among the "100 most important Austrian pop songs" by the pop culture magazine The Gap as part of the AustroTOP ranking.[9]Equally successful was the second albumUnd alles ist ganz anders word’n(And everything has become completely different). The next number one hits followed in 1982 withSchickeriaandOben Ohne(Topless). At that time Fendrich was already celebrated as ashooting starof Austropop.[8]
In 1983 Fendrich presented his first compilation calledA winzig klaner Tropfen Zeit(A tiny drop of time). In the same year he also performed withWolfgang Ambrosat the School Closing Open Air in Vienna'sGerhard-Hanappi Stadium.This concert was released on a live compilation with the albumOpen Air.[10]
Fendrich achieved his next success in 1983 withAuf und davon(Up and away). Although the album couldn't quite meet the commercial expectations of the previous album and the singles didn't manage that either, Fendrich performed at several sold-out concerts on his tour. This led to the songWeus'd a Herz hast wia a Bergwerk(Cause you have a heart like a mine) being available twice as a single; in a studio version and in a live version.[11]
After a short retreat from the public eye, the albumsWien bei Nacht(Vienna by night) andKein schöner Land(No country more beautiful) were released in 1985 and 1986. He also released another live compilation.[10]
Breakthrough in Germany (1988–1997)
[edit]WithMacho, Macho,sung largely in Viennese, another of his singles reached the top position in 1988. In addition, this was followed by the big breakthrough in Germany with number 2. Fendrich also achieved a top 3 position in Switzerland. He wrote the song in five minutes, it was inspired by an article inBrigittemagazine.[2]
Equally well known in Austria and Germany is his appearance withReinhard Mey,withEin Loch in der Kanne(A hole in the pot) in the television programWas wäre wenn(What if) in 1988.
In 1989 the albumVon Zeit zu Zeit(From time to time) was released, which could not meet Fendrich's commercial expectations. The singlesVon Zeit zu ZeitandI Am from Austriawere also not successful at first.[10]Later, however, the titleI Am from Austriadeveloped into the "secret federal anthem of Austria" and was voted the "greatest Austropop hit of all time" in 2011 as part of the ORF programÖsterreich wählt(Austria votes).[12]
In 1991 the albumNix is fix(Nothing is fixed), produced by Tato Gomez atBMG Ariola,was released, which could repeat the success of earlier times. The album stayed in the Austrianchartsfor 32 weeks and was number 1 for five weeks.[10]
A year later, Fendrich performed with theVienna Symphony Orchestraat the opening of theVienna Festival.Under the project "Vienna Symphonic Orchestra Project" (VSOP), by and with Christian Kolonovits, who conducted the concert and in which theArnold Schoenberg Choiralso participated. This concert was released as an album and after some time made it to the first place in the Austrian music charts.[10]
Fendrich took over as host of theARDprogramHerzblatt(Sweetheart) in 1993 afterRudi Carrell,which he presented on German television until 1997.[13]In the same year, he launched the comedy showNix is fix(ORF/ARD). The cabaret and media-critical format was not continued despite good reviews.[14]
A special postage stamp was issued by the Austrian Post Office in 1993.[15]
Along the way, Fendrich recorded the albumBrüder(Brothers), which also managed to place in Germany after a long time. The singlesMidlife CrisisandBrüder,which were rather unpopular in Austria, made it into the German charts. The album was, despite the great commercial success, rather negatively received by the media in Fendrich's home country. The reason for this was that Fendrich slowly turned away from the Viennese dialect with this album. As a promotion forHerzblatt,the ballads albumLieder mit Gefühl(Songs with feeling) was also presented.[10]
In the mid-1990s, Fendrich did not release any music. He made his comeback with the albumBlond(Blonde). The title song became his last major number one hit to date. The singleBlondsold 10,000 copies in Austria and was awarded gold. In addition, after the programming reform of the Austrian stationÖ3,the song was one of the few Austrian songs played on the radio.
Return to Austria (from 1997)
[edit]In 1997, Fendrich initiated a benefit concert for the homeless, which was intended as a one-off event, at which he performed together with Wolfgang Ambros andGeorg Danzer.The overwhelming success led to this team performing asAustria 3until 2006, creating joint live albums andcompilations.The band announced their split on 10 June 2006. Their last concert took place on 24 July 2006 inAltusried,Swabia.On 16 April 2007 the circle of friends reunited at Georg Danzer's comeback concert in theViennese City Hallto perform three of their old songs; afterwards, several parties planned a possible comeback, but Georg Danzer died oflung canceron 21 June 2007.[16][17]
Further artistic achievements
[edit]Also in 1997, Fendrich had success as a film actor in the lead role ofFröhlich geschieden(Happily divorced) (ZDF) alongsideChristina PlateandHelmut Fischer.In 1998 he playedBilly Flynnin the musicalChicagoat the Theater an der Wien, and in 2002 and 2003 he appeared asJeff Zodiakin the musicalWakeUp,written by him and arranged by Christian Kolonovits andHarold Faltermeyer,with less success at theRaimund Theater.[18]
Fendrich received the AustrianGolden Romyaward for most popular presenter in TV entertainment three times.[19]In 1994, 1995 and 2000, he was nominated for theAmadeus Austrian Music Awardfour times before winning it in 2002. AustrianNEWSmagazine readers voted him "Best Entertainer of the Decade" in same year.[20]
As an entertainer, he was the first host ofDie Millionenshow,the Austrian version ofWho Wants to Be a Millionaire.[21]He also hosted the game show Deal or No Deal in 2005. Both shows aired on ORF. From 2008 he hosted the showSing and Win!(a variation of the US formatDon't forget the lyrics) on the private TV stationATV.[22]
Rest of career
[edit]He has appeared in numerous Austrian and German movies.[23][24][25][26]
The concert onDonauinselfestwhich Fendrich gave "instead and for Georg Danzer" who a few weeks before the event had to refuse because of his rapidly progressing disease, attracted 200.000 fans on 23 June 2007.[27]
Private life
[edit]Fendrich was married to Andrea Sator from 1984 to 2003, with whom he has two sons. Their daughter died of a viral disease in 1989 at the age of 17 months.[28]
When Fendrich was found to have boughtcocainein early April 2006 in the course of police surveillance of a dealer ring, he confessed and claimed to have been using it for 15 years. Immediately afterwards, the artist went through voluntary withdrawal and has since participated in anti-drug campaigns, but was sentenced to an unconditional fine of 37,500 euros in May for possession of cocaine and the (later largely abandoned) "passing on of drugs".[29]
On 4 December 2010 Fendrich married his long-time girlfriend Ina Nadine Wagler in Berlin. Their son was born on 10 March 2011.[30]After the couple separated in 2012,[31]the divorce took place in November 2016.
Discography
[edit]Studio albums
[edit]| Date | Title | Chart positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GER [32] |
AUT [33] |
SWI [34] | ||
| 1980 | Ich wollte nie einer von denen sein | - | 16 | - |
| 1981 | Und alles is ganz anders word'n | - | 1 | - |
| 1982 | Zwischen eins und vier | 64 | 1 | - |
| 1983 | Auf und davon | - | 2 | - |
| 1985 | Wien bei Nacht | 42 | 1 | 16 |
| 1986 | Kein schöner Land | - | 3 | - |
| 1988 | Voller Mond | 56 | 2 | - |
| 1989 | Von Zeit zu Zeit | - | 3 | - |
| 1991 | Nix is fix | 44 | 1 | - |
| 1993 | Brüder | 64 | 1 | - |
| 1997 | Blond | 51 | 1 | 21 |
| 2001 | Männersache | 30 | 1 | 62 |
| 2004 | aufLeben | 43 | 1 | - |
| 2006 | hier+jetzt | 43 | 1 | - |
| 2010 | Meine Zeit | 55 | 1 | - |
| 2013 | Besser wird's nicht | 38 | 1 | 56 |
| 2016 | Schwarzoderweiss | 28 | 1 | 69 |
| 2019 | Starkregen | 17 | 1 | 39 |
Live albums
[edit]| Date | Title | Chart positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GER [32] |
AUT [33] |
SWI [34] | ||
| 1983 | Open Air (withWolfgang Ambros) |
- | 4 | - |
| 1985 | Alle Zeit der Welt | - | 9 | - |
| 1989 | Das Konzert | 27 | 5 | 21 |
| 1992 | Wiener Festwochen (with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra) |
- | 1 | - |
| 1998 | Schwerelos | - | 36 | - |
| 2002 | Ein Saitensprung | - | 6 | - |
| 2009 | Best of Live – 30 Jahre Rainhard Fendrich | - | 9 | - |
| 2018 | Für immer a Wiener - Live und akustisch | 57 | 2 [35] |
- |
Compilation albums
[edit]| Date | Title | Chart positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GER [32] |
AUT [33] |
SWI [34] | ||
| 1983 | A winzig klaner Tropfen Zeit | - | - | - |
| 1986 | Weus'd a Herz hast | - | 8 | - |
| 1987 | Rainhard Fendrich's Hitparade | - | 12 | - |
| 1992 | Das Beste von Rainhard Fendrich | - | 39 | - |
| 1993 | Strada... Austria | - | 10 | - |
| 1994 | Lieder mit Gefühl | 70 | 7 | - |
| 1995 | Recycled | - | 2 | - |
| 1997 | Top - 3 (withWolfgang AmbrosandGeorg Danzer) |
- | 22 | - |
| 2001 | Raritäten (containing rare Duets withReinhard MeyandMarianne Mendt) |
- | 4 | - |
| 2005 | So weit, so gut... Die größten Hits aus 25 Jahren | 83 | 2 | - |
| 2006 | So ein Theater - Die schönsten Balladen und Liebeslieder | - | 51 | - |
| 2009 | Best Of – Wenn das kein Beweis is... | - | 20 | - |
| 2015 | Auf den zweiten Blick | - | 5 | - |
| Zwischen heute & gestern – Die ultimative Liedersammlung | - | 6 | - | |
| Zwischen gestern & heute – Die ultimative Liedersammlung | - | 7 | - | |
Austria 3
[edit]- 1998:Austria3 - Live(with Wolfgang Ambros and Georg Danzer)
- 1998:Austria3 - Live Vol. 2(with Wolfgang Ambros and Georg Danzer)
- 2000:Austria3 - Die Dritte(with Wolfgang Ambros and Georg Danzer)
DVDs
[edit]- 2002:Ein Saitensprung
- 2004:Jetzt
Singles
[edit]| Name | Year | Austria |
|---|---|---|
| "Zweierbeziehung" | 1981 | 16 |
| "Strada del Sole" | 1 | |
| "Schickeria" | 1982 | 1 |
| "Razzia" | 9 | |
| "Oben ohne" | 1 | |
| "Es lebe der Sport" | 7 | |
| "Erobict, sierobict" | 1983 | 9 |
| "Ich bin ein Negerant, Madame" | 1984 | 10 |
| "Weus'd a Herz hast wia a Bergwerk" | 3 | |
| "Wien bei Nacht" | 1985 | 19 |
| "Heimatlied" | 16 | |
| "Vü schöner is des G'fühl" | — | |
| "Tränen trocknen schnell" | 1987 | 15 |
| "Der Wind" | 1988 | 24 |
| "Macho, Macho" | 1 | |
| "Tango Korrupti" | 5 | |
| "Von Zeit zu Zeit" | 1990 | 17 |
| "I Am from Austria" | 6 | |
| "Blond" | 1997 | 1 |
| "Little Drummer Boy, Stille Nacht" | 16 | |
| "Entsetzlich hetero" | 2001 | 47 |
| "Wir sind Europa" | 2007 | 49 |
- "Little Drummer Boy" withEric Minsk,and "Stille Nacht" withAndrew Edge.
References
[edit]- ^"Fendrich besingt" Starkregen ", Machos und das Bergwerk".kurier.at(in German). 2022-03-23.Retrieved2022-05-16.
- ^abc"Audio Interview".RetrievedNovember 23,2020.
- ^""Er hat sich selber in die Scheiße geritten": Harald Fendrich über seinen großen Bruder ".news.at. 20 December 2006.RetrievedNovember 23,2020.
- ^"Fendrichs intime Lebensbeichte"(PDF).Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 2013-10-29.RetrievedAugust 27,2014.
- ^Gernandt, Alex (2020-02-27)."Austropop-Star Rainhard Fendrich:" Volks-Rock'n'Roll ist ein Widerspruch in sich "".Der Spiegel(in German).ISSN2195-1349.Retrieved2022-07-10.
- ^ab"17 Dinge, die du garantiert nicht von Austropop-Ikone Rainhard Fendrich wusstest".miss.at - Beauty | Fashion | Lifestyle | Stars(in German). 2017-12-01.Retrieved2022-07-10.
- ^ab"Fendrich serviert Lammschulter".noe.orf.at(in German). 2013-05-03.Retrieved2022-07-10.
- ^ab"Rainhard Fendrich wird 55".DER STANDARD(in Austrian German).Retrieved2022-07-14.
- ^"AustroTOP – Die 100 wichtigsten österreichischen Popsongs".The Gap(in German). 2020-04-14.Retrieved2022-07-14.
- ^abcdef"Rainhard Fendrich – alle Infos zum Entertainer".www.tz.de(in German). 28 February 2022.Retrieved2022-07-17.
- ^"Die 10 besten Rainhard Fendrich Songs".helden der freizeit(in German). 2021-11-07.Retrieved2022-07-17.
- ^""I am from Austria" ist der ultimative Austro-Pop-Hit ".Kronen Zeitung(in German). 2004-12-17.Retrieved2022-07-25.
- ^""Prosit," Herzblatt "!"".wunschliste.de.RetrievedMay 24,2021.
- ^"SONY BMG - Rainhard Fendrich - Biografie".2008-10-16. Archived fromthe originalon 16 October 2008.Retrieved2022-07-30.
- ^"Austro-Pop".Austria-Forum(in German).Retrieved2022-08-02.
- ^"Anfang und Ende: Die Wahrheit über Austria 3".Heute.at(in German). 5 August 2015.Retrieved2022-03-12.
- ^"Austropop-Legende Georg Danzer ist tot".Kronen Zeitung(in German). 22 June 2007.Retrieved2022-03-12.
- ^"Vereinigte Bühnen Wien - Produktionen - Archiv - DAS MUSICAL-ARCHIV - WAKE UP".2008-03-25. Archived fromthe originalon 25 March 2008.Retrieved2022-08-18.
- ^"Die Besten der Besten: Zahlen aus 26 Jahren KURIER ROMY".kurier.at(in German). 2015-04-24.Retrieved2022-08-22.
- ^"Rainhard Fendrich | SchlagerPlanet.com".www.schlagerplanet.com(in German).Retrieved2022-03-03.
- ^"Rainhard Fendrich: Seit 60 Jahren from Austria".noe.orf.at(in German). 2015-02-26.Retrieved2022-03-03.
- ^"Reinhard Fendrich: Rückkehr als Show-Moderator".Die Presse(in German). 2007-11-20.Retrieved2022-08-25.
- ^"Filmarchiv".Diagonale – Festival des österreichischen Films(in German).Retrieved2022-03-03.
- ^"Fröhlich geschieden".www.filmdienst.de(in German).Retrieved2022-03-03.
- ^Die Ehre der Strizzis(in German),retrieved2022-03-03
- ^"Ottis erster Film-Kuss".www.bz-berlin.de.30 November 2001.Retrieved2022-03-03.
- ^"Fendrich sang zum Danzer-Gedenken".DER STANDARD(in Austrian German).Retrieved2022-03-12.
- ^ots.at:Rainhard Fendrich erklärt in „Frühstück bei mir “bei Claudia Stöckl…,vom 15. Jänner 2006
- ^"Kokain-Prozess: 37.500 Euro Strafe für Rainhard Fendrich".DER STANDARD(in Austrian German).Retrieved2022-03-12.
- ^orf.at:Rainhard Fendrich hat geheiratet,10. December 2010
- ^news networld Internetservice GmbH (2012-09-14),"Rainhard Fendrich: Resignierender 1. Auftritt nach Ehe-Aus • NEWS.AT",News.at(in German),retrieved2017-02-06
- ^abc"Discographie von Rainhard Fendrich".GfK Entertainment.Retrieved27 September2019.
- ^abcAustriancharts.at: Rainhard Fendrich
- ^abcHitparade.ch: Rainhard Fendrich
- ^"Ö3 Austria Top40: Longplay-Charts - Ö3 Charts".8 November 2019.
External links
[edit]
- Rainhard FendrichatIMDb
- Rainhard Fendrichdiscography atMusicBrainz
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