Rainhard Fendrich will celebrate his 70th birthday on Thursday in a week (February 27). This year, the artist is marking his 45th stage anniversary with a tour. "Writing songs and singing them on stage, that's wonderful. That's my calling," Fendrich said in an APA interview on the occasion of the release of the new album "Wimpernschlag". When asked about his personal career highlight, he replied with a laugh: "When I was on top of the Großglockner."

"Because I wouldn't have thought I could do it myself," said Fendrich. And seriously: "There were many highlights like the opening of the Festwochen in 1992. Actually, I've been very lucky, which is also important in this profession. You can't do it alone, you have to meet the right people at the right time."

Start with a Diary

Rainhard Jürgen Fendrich was born in Vienna-Alsergrund. Today he lives in Favoriten and feels comfortable there, as he emphasized to the APA. In his childhood and youth, the future star had to endure financial hardships, as the family had little money: "I didn't get a single schilling of pocket money from my father. When I started making music, I wanted to - as silly as it may sound now - become rich and independent. It turned into a great passion. But the first drive was that I didn't want to be poor anymore."

He started writing songs during puberty: "It started with a diary, from the diary came poems. Then I got a guitar and set the texts to music. It was a gradual process." After high school and boarding school, dropping out of law studies, and taking acting and singing lessons, Fendrich made two debuts in 1980: as an actor at the Theater an der Wien and with his first album "Ich wollte nie einer von denen sein" ("I Never Wanted to Be One of Them").

From "Strada del Sole" to "I Am From Austria"

Just a year later, he had his breakthrough with the first big hit "Strada del Sole". "I was vacationing in Greece and didn't even realize that I was number 1," Fendrich recalled. A rapid succession of hits followed: "Schickeria" (1981), "Razzia" (1982), and "Es lebe der Sport" (1982) catapulted Fendrich to the top of Austropop and made him known in Germany as well.

He became a classic at the latest with further numbers from the 1980s like "Weus'd a Herz hast wia a Bergwerk" (1984), "Macho, Macho" (1988), or "I Am From Austria" (1990). The latter song is often referred to as the unofficial anthem of the country, with the critical text often overlooked or not understood: "I know the people, I know the rats, the stupidity that cries to heaven, I stand by you in light and shadow at any time," Fendrich quoted in the interview and emphasized: "It is more relevant than ever." He is, of course, aware that the song has taken on a life of its own and "has become all-weather suitable."

TV and Musicals

Even though his musical production in the 1990s, with six released albums (all of which reached number 1 on the domestic charts), did not wane, Fendrich began to engage more outside the music business during this time. He was a successful TV host of "Herzblatt" (1993-1997) and "Nix is fix" and was also present on screen in the new millennium - among others, on the "Millionenshow", then still under the title "Alles ist möglich - Die 10-Millionen-Show".

On the musical stage, Fendrich was seen in "Chicago" before his own musical debut "Wake Up" (written together with Harold Faltermeyer) premiered in 2002. In 2017, the Vereinigte Bühnen Wien, in collaboration with Fendrich, released another musical titled "I Am From Austria," which infused his greatest hits into a story rich with self-irony - and it became a resounding success. It even landed on Japanese stages.

The project Austria 3 with Wolfgang Ambros and Georg Danzer also ran successfully from 1997. Three albums and celebrated performances were the result of the cooperation of the three Austropop greats. Since Danzer's death, Fendrich has been touring again as a soloist.

Fendrich "Passionate Sailor"

Privately, his former "Strada del Sole" became a rollercoaster of emotions. After the media-exploited divorce from Andrea Fendrich in 2004, three years later came the confession of having used cocaine. In 2011, Fendrich became a father again. The versatile artist now keeps his private life under wraps and stays away from society appearances as much as possible. "I used to always leave parties as one of the first. But of course, I was there, I was young." Today, he finds it boring: "I prefer to have an interesting conversation with someone that takes me further than to look into a society camera."

Fendrich still reveals a little about his private life: "I am a passionate sailor. It's the most beautiful thing I can imagine. The best thing about sailing is the silence. You can let your thoughts run free." And he has acquired a camper, he chuckled.

"I Have to Write Songs"

In his later years, Fendrich has received much recognition even from former critics, not least because of his critical view of society and politics. "I was successful and as a young person, I was certainly cheeky," he said. That may have polarized. He rejects the label "wise with age": "I'm simply interested in our life and what happens around me - and that's what I sing about."

Was there a point when Fendrich thought about quitting? "After every tour," he laughed. "You are very exhausted. But that passes. I can't help it, I have to write songs." If you could only choose one of his 19 albums, which would he recommend? "The last one. Although I must say, I also have great joy with 'Voller Mond' (1988, note), a timeless album."

On February 20, ORF 2 (9:05 PM) will show the new documentary "I Never Wanted to Be One of Them - Rainhard Fendrich on His 70th Birthday." The birthday of the multi-talent will be celebrated on the night of February 27 to 28 with a long film night. It begins with "Gefühl ist alles" (12:10 AM), followed by "Das Mädchen aus der Torte" (1:45 AM) and "Fröhlich geschieden" (3:15 AM). ORF III also honors the celebrant with several broadcasts: from "I am from Austria - The Successful Musical" on February 23 to the new production "Rainhard Fendrich - The Best TV Moments" on March 1, as well as other concert recordings and films with the audience favorite.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.