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Till Lindemann

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Till Lindemann
Lindemann performing in 2019
Lindemann performing in 2019
Background information
Born (1963-01-04) 4 January 1963 (age 61)
Leipzig, East Germany
OriginSchwerin, Germany
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • poet
Years active1986–present
Member of
Formerly ofFirst Arsch
FatherWerner Lindemann

Till Lindemann (German pronunciation: [tɪl ˈlɪndəman]; born 4 January 1963) is a German singer and songwriter. He is best known as the lead vocalist and lyricist of Neue Deutsche Härte band Rammstein and solo project Lindemann. Rammstein has sold over 25 million records worldwide, with five of their albums receiving platinum status, and Lindemann has been listed among the "50 Greatest Metal Frontmen of All Time" by Roadrunner Records. He has appeared in minor roles in films and has also published three books of poetry (see below). He has presented some of his original poems and scripts to galleries.

Early life

Lindemann was born on 4 January 1963 in Leipzig (then in East Germany),[1][2] the son of Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR) journalist Brigitte Hildegard "Gitta" Lindemann and poet Werner Lindemann.[3] His parents first met at a conference in Bitterfeld in 1959.[4] He grew up in Wendisch-Rambow alongside his younger sister, Saskia.[3][5] At age 11, Lindemann went to a sports school at the sports club SC Empor Rostock,[5] and attended a boarding school from 1977 to 1980.[5] His parents lived separately for career reasons after 1975, and divorced when Lindemann was still young.[6] He lived with his father for a short time, but the relationship was unhealthy; in the book Mike Oldfield im Schaukelstuhl, his father wrote about his own problems with alcoholism and the difficulties of being a father to a teenage Lindemann.[7]

In 1978, Lindemann participated in the European Junior Swimming Championships in Florence, finishing 11th in the 1500 m freestyle and 7th in the 400 m freestyle, swimming a time of 4'17"58; he was shortlisted to go to the 1980 Olympics in Moscow,[6] but left the sport due to an injury.[8] According to Lindemann, "I never liked the sport school actually, it was very intense. But as a child you don't object."[1] He later worked as an apprentice carpenter, a gallery technician, a peat cutter, and a basket weaver.[9] His mother dedicated a letter titled Mein Sohn, der Frontmann von Rammstein ("My son, the frontman of Rammstein") to Lindemann in 2009.[10] The first album he owned was Deep Purple's Stormbringer.[11]

Career

Music

Lindemann at a Rammstein concert during a performance of "Engel", wearing angel wings fitted with flamethrowers

Lindemann started to play drums for Schwerin-based experimental rock band First Arsch in 1986,[12] who released an album titled Saddle Up in 1992, and played one song ("Lied von der unruhevollen Jugend") with a punk band called Feeling B, which was the former band of Rammstein members Paul Landers, Christoph Schneider and Christian "Flake" Lorenz in 1989.[12] During his time in Feeling B, he played the drums in the band.[12] In the 1990s, Lindemann began to write lyrics. In 1994, the band entered and won a contest in Berlin that allowed them to record a four track demo professionally. When questioned as to why Rammstein was named after the Ramstein air show disaster,[13] he said he viewed images of the incident on television, and that he and the bandmates wanted to make a musical memorial.[14]

Lindemann then moved to Berlin. During Rammstein's early years, because of his use of over-the-top pyrotechnics, Lindemann has burned his ears, hair and arms.[15] Bandmate Christoph Schneider commented, "Till gets burned all the time, but he likes the pain."[15] An incident in September 1996 caused a section of the band's set to burn, and as a result, Lindemann got his certification in pyrotechnics so the band could perform with pyrotechnics more safely than it had previously.[9][16]

During Rammstein's US tour in June 1999, Lindemann and his bandmate Christian "Flake" Lorenz were arrested in Worcester, Massachusetts for lewd conduct performed during their song "Bück dich" ("bend over"), which consisted of Lindemann using a liquid squirting dildo and simulating anal sex on Lorenz.[17] Both Lindemann and Lorenz were released the following day after bail was met.[17] This incident did not stop Lindemann from performing in the same manner for future shows outside the United States, particularly in Australia when they performed at the 2011 Big Day Out,[18] but the United States performances of this song were changed into a sadomasochistic theme that did not feature dildos, although this was not the case for all remaining US shows on the tour. For example, on 18 June 1999, "Bück dich" was performed in the same manner at the Roseland Theater in Portland, Oregon. In 1999, the band was blamed for the 1999 Columbine massacre, but they denied their music was a factor.[19][20] In November 2002, Lindemann's poetry book Messer was published. It consists of 54 poems compiled by Gert Hof, author of the book Rammstein, who was also the band's pyrodesigner for the last seven years.[21] In July 2010, Lindemann, along with Flake, was interviewed by heavy metal anthropologist Sam Dunn for the VH1 Classic series Metal Evolution, on the topic of shock rock.[22]

Lindemann during a performance of the song "Rammstein", wearing dual arm-mounted flamethrowers

Lindemann is not a stranger to injury, as he mentioned in Rammstein's early career that he'd gotten burned several times with unprofessionally rigged pyrotechnics.[15] At a performance in Sweden in 2005, he received a knee injury on stage when keyboardist Flake accidentally ran into him while riding a Segway PT.[23] This injury caused several tour dates in Asia to be cancelled.[23]

In 2005, five Rammstein albums received platinum awards and the band also received the "World Sales Awards" for over 10 million sold copies worldwide.[24]

During the filming of the band's music video for "Ich tu dir weh", Lindemann wanted a light put in his mouth to create a visually stunning effect.[25] Bandmate Paul Landers suggested that he use a flesh colored wire and run it along his cheek to shine a light into his mouth from the outside.[25] Lindemann refused, and instead opted to have a surgical incision in his left cheek, so that a light could be fed into his mouth directly, and largely out of sight.[25][26]

There is a specific performance move of Lindemann's, dubbed "The Till Hammer". This move is where he bends his knees, beats his thigh with a fist in a hammering motion while turning his head from side to side. On occasion, Flake has been seen to parody the move onstage. Unlike most frontmen, Lindemann stated in an interview that he does not like being looked at while on stage, and would wear sunglasses to block out views of the audience.[27]

The main purpose of the band's signature pyrotechnics has also been stated to actually be a tool in taking the audience's attention away from Lindemann, whilst doubling as a spectacle for the audience. Lindemann often opts to just look directly at the mixing booth in the center of the crowd, except when directly interacting with an audience member. In 2011, Roadrunner Records listed Lindemann at number 50 of the 50 greatest metal frontmen of all time.[28] In 2013, Lindemann's second poetry book, In stillen Nächten was published.[29] He commented on the poetry, saying "The vast majority of my poems could have been written a few hundred years earlier."[29]

On his 52nd birthday (4 January 2015), it was announced that Lindemann would start a new project with Peter Tägtgren named Lindemann.[30][31][32] The band released their debut album Skills in Pills in June 2015.[33] On 22 November 2019, Lindemann released their second album, F&M.

In 2021, Lindemann performed a Soviet war song Lubimy Gorod (Template:Lang-ru, Beloved Town) in Russian – originally sung by Mark Bernes in 1939 – for the Russian movie V2. Escape from Hell (Devyatayev).[34] Till Lindemann was nominated for Best Narrative at the Berlin Music Video Awards 2020 with his music video ''Frau & Mann''.[35] In 2021, his music video ''Alle Tage ist kein Sonntag'' received a nomination for Most Bizarre.[36]

Poetry

In 2018, Lindemann embarked on a book signing tour across Russia for his poetry book, Messer, originally released in German and then translated into Russian and re-released to the Russian market. Lindemann showed up to his book signing in Moscow with an unknown person in a gimp costume. The female gimp was led through the crowd by Lindemann before he sat down to sign autographs and talk to fans.[37] It is still unknown who was in the outfit, but suggestions are that of his girlfriend at the time.

Film and television

Lindemann in 2009

Two songs from the album Herzeleid were used in David Lynch's 1997 film, Lost Highway.[38] Lindemann has also played minor roles in some films, appearing with his bandmate Christoph Schneider as musicians in the 1999 film Pola X,[39] playing a character named Viktor in the children's comedy film Amundsen der Pinguin (2003), and also appearing as an animal rights activist in the 2004 film Vinzent. Lindemann and the rest of Rammstein also appeared in the 2002 movie xXx (Triple-X starring Vin Diesel) while performing "Feuer frei!"

As guest artist

  • Lindemann appeared as guest drummer on Hea Hoa Hoa Hea Hea Hoa by Feeling B, for the song "Lied von der unruhevollen Jugend"; the song, despite its German title, is sung in Russian. Years later, this track was performed live at a Rammstein gig in St. Petersburg, Russia, on 19 November 2001, during the Mutter tour.
  • Lindemann provides vocals for the track "Helden" (a German language cover of Bowie's "Heroes") on the Apocalyptica album Worlds Collide.
  • Lindemann also sings on "Wut will nicht sterben" by Die Puhdys.
  • Lindemann and Richard Kruspe covered the Aria song "Shtil", retitling it "Schtiel".
  • Lindemann also appeared on Knorkator's music video to the song "Du nich".
  • Lindemann once again appeared with Kruspe, this time with Kruspe's band Emigrate, recording guest vocals on the song "Let's Go", on their third album, A Million Degrees.
  • Lindemann featured on Zaz's fifth album, Isa, providing guest vocals on the song "Le jardin des larmes".
  • Lindemann appeared again with Kruspe's band Emigrate, recording guest vocals on the song "Always On My Mind" on the band's fourth album THE PERSISTENCE OF MEMORY
  • Lindemann also appears on the song "Child of Sin" by Kovacs (2023).

Musicianship

Lindemann during the Made in Germany tour, 2011

Lindemann's vocal range is that of a dramatic baritone.[40][41][42] He has a tendency to press his voice with force from below[40] and use the alveolar trill, stating in an interview that he sings it out of instinct.[40][43][failed verification] However, this trait could be connected to his youth years in Mecklenburg.[44] In 2005, the New York Times commented on Lindemann's voice: "He commands a low, powerful bass rarely used in contemporary pop music, untrained but electrifying."[45]

Lindemann himself describes his lyrics as "love songs".[46] Some songs written by him have references to 19th century or earlier literature. For example, "Dalai Lama" from the album Reise, Reise is an adaption of Goethe's "Der Erlkönig".[47] He also used more of Goethe's poems, as "Rosenrot" contains elements from the poem "Heidenröslein",[47] while "Feuer und Wasser" has narrative elements from Friedrich Schiller's "Der Taucher".[48] Lindemann also used elements from Der Struwwelpeter by Heinrich Hoffmann on "Hilf mir" from the album Rosenrot.[49] "Mein Herz brennt" has lyrics taken from a narrative line in the East German children's show Das Sandmännchen.[50]

Lindemann has used contemporary literature for intertextual references; the song title "Non, je ne regrette rien" was used as a chorus for the song "Frühling in Paris", and the song lyrics of "Links 2-3-4" are based on the song "Einheitsfrontlied" by Bertolt Brecht.[51] According to Lindemann, the lyrics of the song state the band's political category, positioning themselves on the left.[52] He had also used another song composed by Brecht, titled "Mack the Knife", and the chorus was used for the song "Haifisch".[53]

The song "Cowboy" is a criticism of the hypermasculine character of Americans. Despite "Hollywood propaganda", Lindemann states that it was actually the cowboys who beat up the Native Americans.[54]

Personal life

Lindemann's daughter Nele was born in 1985, and he spent the first seven years of her life as a single father.[12] He has one grandson through Nele.[55] On 28 February 1991, his ex-wife and his Rammstein bandmate Richard Kruspe had a daughter together named Khira, who uses the Lindemann surname rather than Kruspe. Her mother had retained the name when she and Lindemann divorced, and she never married Kruspe. Lindemann's second daughter, Marie Louise, was born in 1993 to ex-wife Anja Köseling.[56] He dated actress and model Sophia Thomalla from April 2011 to November 2015.

Lindemann is an atheist.[57][58] In a 2011 interview, he said that he still has strong connections to the traditions of East Germany,[27] and that he finds "de-traditionalisation" disturbing and believes there is "no longer any authenticity".[27] He has said that he "hates noise" and often spends time in a small village somewhere in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the name of which he has not disclosed.[55]

In 2014, Lindemann presented two sculptures and his original scripts of poems in his book In stillen Nächten (In Silent Nights) in a Dresden gallery.[59] He also wrote some lyrics in 2014 for German Schlager singer Roland Kaiser for his album Soul Tracks.[60]

Sexual Assault Allegations

In June 2023, a woman came forward with allegations of sexual assault against Lindemann, claiming that he had forced her to engage in sexual activity backstage at a Rammstein concert in Lithuania. Subsequently, several other women also made similar accusations against him. These allegations have prompted a widespread response from both fans and the general public.

Discography

Rammstein

Lindemann performing "Du riechst so gut" in 2012

Lindemann

First Arsch

Na Chui

  • Till the End (2020)

As a solo artist

  • Alle Tage ist kein Sonntag (with David Garrett) (2020)
  • Любимый город (Lubimiy gorod, Beloved Town) (2021), performed in Russian
  • Ich hasse Kinder (2021)

As a guest artist

  • Lindemann appeared as a guest – drummer on the album Hea Hoa Hoa Hea Hea Hoa by Feeling B for the song "Lied von der unruhevollen Jugend", which is in Russian. The song was played at a Rammstein concert in St. Petersburg on 19 November (2001) during the Mutter tour.
  • Lindemann provided vocals for the track Helden (a cover version of Bowies Heroes) on the Apocalyptica album Worlds Collide
  • Lindemann also sings the song "Wut Will Nicht Sterben" by Puhdys.
  • Lindemann and Richard Z. Kruspe covered the Aria song Shtil and released it as Schtiel Schtiel (Aria Cover) (2003).
  • Lindemann has also appeared on Knorkator's music video Du nich.
  • Lindemann also sings on some songs with Richard Z. Kruspe, the songs Let's Go and Always On My Mind by Emigrate.
  • Lindemann also sings a song with Zaz, the song Le Jardin Des Larmes (2021).
  • Lindemann also appears on the song "Child of Sin" by Kovacs (2023).

Poetry

  • Lindemann, Till (2002). Messer [Knife]. Frankfurt am Main: Eichborn. ISBN 3-8218-0927-2.
  • Lindemann, Till (2013). In stillen Nächten [In Silent Nights]. Köln: Kiepenheuer & Witsch. ISBN 978-3462045246.
  • Lindemann, Till (2020). 100 Gedichte [100 Poems]. Köln: Kiepenheuer & Witsch. ISBN 978-3462053326.

References

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  2. ^ "UPI Almanac for Friday, Jan. 4, 2019". United Press International. 4 January 2019. Archived from the original on 5 January 2019. Retrieved 4 September 2019. singer Till Lindemann (Rammstein) in 1963 (age 56)
  3. ^ a b Bettendorf, Michele (2002). Ursprung Punkszene, oder: "Rammstein hätte es im Westen nie gegeben" (in German) (1st ed.). Book on Demand. p. 116. ISBN 978-3831144938. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  4. ^ Irgendein Neuerdings Mike Oldfield – ein Vater – Sohn Geschichte (RF radio play) 2011
  5. ^ a b c Adrienne Didur, Cheryl (2013). "Till Lindemann's Childhood and School Days". TillLindemann.com. Archived from the original on 28 October 2014. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  6. ^ a b Pilz, Michael (28 September 2004). "Rammstein erfolgreichste Lyriker sind Deutschlands". Die Welt. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  7. ^ Lindemann, Werner (1988). Mike Oldfield im Schaukelstuhl: Notizen eines Vaters (in German). Ingo Koch Verlag. ISBN 978-3938686614. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  8. ^ Haack, Melanie; Dunker, Robert; Schurer, Petra (21 November 2009). "Biedermann und Lindemann über Musik und Sport". Die Welt Online (in German). Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  9. ^ a b Grundke, Vincent (4 January 2014). "Rammstein-Poet Till Lindemann wird heute 51". Ampya (in German). Archived from the original on 19 February 2014. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
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  12. ^ a b c d Bettendorf, p. 117.
  13. ^ Ronald Galenza, Heinz Havemeister: Feeling B. Mix mir einen Drink. – p. 262. Schwarzkopf & Schwarzkopf, Berlin 2002, ISBN 3-89602-418-3
  14. ^ "OOR Interview – Till – October 1997". Rammimages.com. 2005. Archived from the original on 9 July 2011. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
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  28. ^ Rosen, Jeremy (2011). "The 50 Greatest Metal Frontmen of all Time". Roadrunner Records. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  29. ^ a b Schoepfer, L. (3 October 2013). "The Misunderstood". Tages-Anzeiger (in German). Retrieved 16 November 2014.
  30. ^ "Rammstein Frontman Till Lindemann Joins Forces with Pain/Hypocrisy Mainman Peter Tägtgren in New Project". Blabbermouth.net. 4 January 2015. Retrieved 4 January 2015.
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  32. ^ "Rammstein's Till Lindemann and Hypocrisy's Peter Tägtgren form new project". The Guardian. 5 January 2015. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
  33. ^ "Details Released For Rammstein Frontman's New Project Lindemann". The Guardian. 5 January 2015. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
  34. ^ "Vocalista de Rammstein interpreta en ruso canción de guerra soviética". eltiempo.com. 23 April 2021.
  35. ^ Berlin Music Video Awards (7 May 2021). "Nominees 2020". www.berlinmva.com.
  36. ^ Berlin Music Video Awards (7 May 2021). "2021 Nominees". www.berlinmva.com.
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  44. ^ Littlejohn, edited by John T.; Putnam, Michael T. (2013). Rammstein on fire : new perspectives on the music and performances. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. p. 19. ISBN 978-0786474639. Retrieved 16 November 2014.
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  46. ^ Bettendorf, p. 99.
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  48. ^ Littlejohn, p. 100.
  49. ^ Littlejohn, p. 240.
  50. ^ Nestingen, Andrew (2008). Crime and fantasy in Scandinavia : fiction, film, and social change. Seattle, Wash.: University of Washington Press. p. 101. ISBN 978-0295988047. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  51. ^ Littlejohn, p. 126.
  52. ^ "Rammstein: Das Herz schlägt links, oder?". Laut.de. Retrieved 20 November 2014. This song is in fact written by Bertolt Brecht and composed by Hanns Eisler in 1934. The full text can be found here: "Einheitsfrontlied"
  53. ^ Welle (www.dw.com), Deutsche. "Rammstein: Just what's in those lyrics? | DW | 16 August 2019". DW.COM. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  54. ^ "Till Lindemann Talks Skills In Pills. Rammstein Singer". Maniacs. 28 May 2015. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
  55. ^ a b "Rammstein vocalist Till Lindemann admitted that he hates the noise". RIA Novosti. 6 July 2012. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
  56. ^ "Till Lindemann – Biography". IMDb. 2014. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
  57. ^ "SZ: Till Lindemann about desire". Archived from the original on 28 August 2016. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  58. ^ "NNDB". Retrieved 22 June 2006.
  59. ^ Bauermeister, Juliane (19 February 2014). "Die bizarre Kunst des Rammstein-Sängers". Bild.de (in German). Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  60. ^ "Rammstein-Sänger hat Songtext für Roland Kaiser geschrieben". T-Online (in German). 17 April 2014. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  61. ^ Henne, Bruce (1 March 2015). "Lindemann tease album debut". MetalHammer. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
  62. ^ Kanetzky, Aurelia (5 February 2015). ""Lindemann": Debütalbum für Mai angekündigt". Rollingstone (in German). Retrieved 2 March 2015.
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