Reinhard Mey
Encyclopedia
Reinhard Friedrich Michael Mey (born December 21, 1942, Berlin
) is a German
singer-songwriter
, known to fans as "Liedermacher". In France he is known as Frédérik Mey.
Mey has released 27 German albums so far by 2009, and consistently releases a new album approximately every two years; his first album was Ich wollte wie Orpheus singen (1967); the most recent studio album is Mairegen (2010). His biggest success to date was Mein Achtel Lorbeerblatt (1972). His most famous song by far is "Über den Wolken" (1974), which has been covered by numerous German artists. Mey is known to embark upon an extensive concert tour every two or three years, with a live album released from each tour.
, Germany
, where he spent his childhood. At the age of twelve, he had his first piano lesson, and at the age of fourteen, he got his first guitar. He taught himself how to play the trumpet. During his school years he gained performance experience by playing Skiffle
music with friends. In 1965, Mey was offered the chance to perform at a Liedermacher festival at Waldeck Castle
, a converted castle ruin. This led to his first recording contract. In 1961, he became part of the group Les Trois Affamés, with Schobert Scholz.
In 1963, Mey graduated from the French Gymnasium in Berlin
, receiving the German Abitur
as well as the French Baccalauréat
, and thereafter began vocational training as an industrial trader at Schering
AG Berlin
. He broke off his university studies in economics in order to dedicate himself fully to songwriting and singing, and has been a successful performer in Germany, in France, and in the Netherlands ever since. He has written songs in German, French, Dutch, and Greek. He records his French material under the name of Frédérik Mey. In 1967, he married a French woman named Christine. Their marriage was dissolved in 1976.
Today, Mey lives in Berlin-Frohnau
in his second marriage (since 1977) to Hella Hennies (born in Hannover), and had three children in the marriage: Frederik (born November 20, 1976), Maximilian (born January 28, 1982), and Victoria-Luise (born November 19, 1985).
On September 7, 2009 Reinhard Mey revealed in an interview on a German TV talk show that his son Maximilian had been in a persistent vegetative state
since March 13, 2009. Undiagnosed severe pneumonia led to a cardio-pulmonary arrest, from which Max was resuscitated after eight minutes of hypoxia. Reinhard Mey and his family remain hopeful about a possible recovery and are focusing their energy on trying to coax Max out of his unresponsive state.
Mey's politics tend to be moderate to left-leaning. He speaks out in particular for freedom and non-violence, and not only in his songs (for example, he participated in a demonstration at the beginning of 2003 against the coming war in Iraq). Strongly influenced by the French chanson
, Mey's political songs were relatively scarce among his works at the beginning, but they have increased in quantity over time, such that there is usually at least one song on each new album that concerns itself with politics. His 2004 album, Nanga Parbat
, for example, includes "Alles OK in Guantanamo Bay", a song critical of the U.S. detention facility on the island of Cuba.
For years, Mey has been an avid vegetarian, and also has been active in the German chapter of the organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA
). Several of his songs deal with the theme of prevention of cruelty to animals, the most famous one being "Die Würde des Schweins ist unantastbar" (roughly, "a pig's dignity is inviolable.", echoing the first sentence of the first article of the German constitution
)
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
) is a German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
, known to fans as "Liedermacher". In France he is known as Frédérik Mey.
Mey has released 27 German albums so far by 2009, and consistently releases a new album approximately every two years; his first album was Ich wollte wie Orpheus singen (1967); the most recent studio album is Mairegen (2010). His biggest success to date was Mein Achtel Lorbeerblatt (1972). His most famous song by far is "Über den Wolken" (1974), which has been covered by numerous German artists. Mey is known to embark upon an extensive concert tour every two or three years, with a live album released from each tour.
Biography
Reinhard Mey was born on December 21, 1942, in BerlinBerlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, where he spent his childhood. At the age of twelve, he had his first piano lesson, and at the age of fourteen, he got his first guitar. He taught himself how to play the trumpet. During his school years he gained performance experience by playing Skiffle
Skiffle
Skiffle is a type of popular music with jazz, blues, folk, roots and country influences, usually using homemade or improvised instruments. Originating as a term in the United States in the first half of the twentieth century, it became popular again in the UK in the 1950s, where it was mainly...
music with friends. In 1965, Mey was offered the chance to perform at a Liedermacher festival at Waldeck Castle
Waldeck Castle
Castle Waldeck within the limits of the village of Dorweiler in Dommershausen in the Rhein-Hunsrück-Kreis in Rhineland-Palatinate was the main seat of the Hunsrück Family Boos.The ruin lies high above the Baybach valley...
, a converted castle ruin. This led to his first recording contract. In 1961, he became part of the group Les Trois Affamés, with Schobert Scholz.
In 1963, Mey graduated from the French Gymnasium in Berlin
Französisches Gymnasium Berlin
The Französisches Gymnasium — Collège Français Berlin is a long-existing francophone gymnasium in Berlin, Germany.-History:It was founded in 1689 by Elector Frederick III of Brandenburg for the children of the Huguenot families who had settled in Brandenburg-Prussia by his invitation, being...
, receiving the German Abitur
Abitur
Abitur is a designation used in Germany, Finland and Estonia for final exams that pupils take at the end of their secondary education, usually after 12 or 13 years of schooling, see also for Germany Abitur after twelve years.The Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife, often referred to as...
as well as the French Baccalauréat
Baccalauréat
The baccalauréat , often known in France colloquially as le bac, is an academic qualification which French and international students take at the end of the lycée . It was introduced by Napoleon I in 1808. It is the main diploma required to pursue university studies...
, and thereafter began vocational training as an industrial trader at Schering
Schering
Schering AG was a research-centered German pharmaceutical company. It was founded in 1851 by Ernst Christian Friedrich Schering and merged with Bayer's pharma sector in December 2006. The company's headquarters was in Berlin-Wedding, Germany...
AG Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
. He broke off his university studies in economics in order to dedicate himself fully to songwriting and singing, and has been a successful performer in Germany, in France, and in the Netherlands ever since. He has written songs in German, French, Dutch, and Greek. He records his French material under the name of Frédérik Mey. In 1967, he married a French woman named Christine. Their marriage was dissolved in 1976.
Today, Mey lives in Berlin-Frohnau
Frohnau
Frohnau is a locality in the Reinickendorf borough of Berlin, Germany. It lies in the extreme northern part of the city.- History :Founded in 1910, Frohnau was created whole as a planned community, corresponding to the early twentieth century idea of a Garden City...
in his second marriage (since 1977) to Hella Hennies (born in Hannover), and had three children in the marriage: Frederik (born November 20, 1976), Maximilian (born January 28, 1982), and Victoria-Luise (born November 19, 1985).
On September 7, 2009 Reinhard Mey revealed in an interview on a German TV talk show that his son Maximilian had been in a persistent vegetative state
Persistent vegetative state
A persistent vegetative state is a disorder of consciousness in which patients with severe brain damage are in a state of partial arousal rather than true awareness. It is a diagnosis of some uncertainty in that it deals with a syndrome. After four weeks in a vegetative state , the patient is...
since March 13, 2009. Undiagnosed severe pneumonia led to a cardio-pulmonary arrest, from which Max was resuscitated after eight minutes of hypoxia. Reinhard Mey and his family remain hopeful about a possible recovery and are focusing their energy on trying to coax Max out of his unresponsive state.
Lyrics and political views
Mey writes both sensitive and humorous songs, with subject matter taken mostly from his everyday life and surroundings. His themes include life on the road, his hobbies (e.g., flying), childhood memories, his family life and surroundings, and occasionally politics. Many of his songs are humorous and demonstrate Mey's extraordinary linguistic versatility. Mey's songs are characterized most by their expressiveness of language and their penetrating melodies.Mey's politics tend to be moderate to left-leaning. He speaks out in particular for freedom and non-violence, and not only in his songs (for example, he participated in a demonstration at the beginning of 2003 against the coming war in Iraq). Strongly influenced by the French chanson
Chanson
A chanson is in general any lyric-driven French song, usually polyphonic and secular. A singer specialising in chansons is known as a "chanteur" or "chanteuse" ; a collection of chansons, especially from the late Middle Ages and Renaissance, is also known as a chansonnier.-Chanson de geste:The...
, Mey's political songs were relatively scarce among his works at the beginning, but they have increased in quantity over time, such that there is usually at least one song on each new album that concerns itself with politics. His 2004 album, Nanga Parbat
Nanga Parbat
Nanga Parbat is the ninth highest mountain on Earth, the second highest mountain in Pakistan and among the eight-thousanders with a summit elevation of 8,126 meters...
, for example, includes "Alles OK in Guantanamo Bay", a song critical of the U.S. detention facility on the island of Cuba.
For years, Mey has been an avid vegetarian, and also has been active in the German chapter of the organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA
Peta
Peta can refer to:* peta-, an SI prefix denoting a factor of 1015* Peta, Greece, a town in Greece* Peta, the Pāli word for a Preta, or hungry ghost in Buddhism* Peta Wilson, an Australian actress and model* Peta Todd, English glamour model...
). Several of his songs deal with the theme of prevention of cruelty to animals, the most famous one being "Die Würde des Schweins ist unantastbar" (roughly, "a pig's dignity is inviolable.", echoing the first sentence of the first article of the German constitution
Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany
The Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany is the constitution of Germany. It was formally approved on 8 May 1949, and, with the signature of the Allies of World War II on 12 May, came into effect on 23 May, as the constitution of those states of West Germany that were initially included...
)
Awards
- 1968 Prix International de la Chanson française (the first non-French singer to receive this award)
- 1983 Verdienstkreuz am BandeBundesverdienstkreuzThe Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany is the only general state decoration of the Federal Republic of Germany. It has existed since 7 September 1951, and between 3,000 and 5,200 awards are given every year across all classes...
(Cross of Merit on ribbon) - 2001 Verdienstkreuz 1. KlasseBundesverdienstkreuzThe Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany is the only general state decoration of the Federal Republic of Germany. It has existed since 7 September 1951, and between 3,000 and 5,200 awards are given every year across all classes...
(Cross of Merit, First class)
Studio albums
- 1967 - Ich wollte wie Orpheus singen
- 1968 - Ankomme Freitag, den 13.
- 1970 - Aus meinem Tagebuch
- 1971 - Ich bin aus jenem Holze
- 1972 - Mein achtel Lorbeerblatt
- 1974 - Wie vor Jahr und TagWie vor Jahr und TagWie vor Jahr und Tag is the sixth album by the German singer-songwriter Reinhard Mey. It was also published in Dutch in 1975. All songs Wie vor Jahr und Tag is the sixth album by the German singer-songwriter Reinhard Mey. It was also published in Dutch in 1975. All songs Wie vor Jahr und Tag is the...
- 1975 - Ikarus
- 1977 - Menschenjunges
- 1979 - Keine ruhige MinuteKeine ruhige MinuteKeine ruhige Minute is the ninth album by the singer-songwriter Reinhard Mey. All songs were written by Mey.-Track listing:# Happy birthday to me 5: 12# Dieter Malinek, Ulla und ich 3: 51# Dr. Nahtlos, Dr. Sägeberg und Dr...
- 1980 - Jahreszeiten
- 1981 - Freundliche Gesichter
- 1983 - Die Zwölfte
- 1985 - Hergestellt in Berlin
- 1986 - Alleingang
- 1988 - Balladen
- 1990 - Farben
- 1992 - Alles geht
- 1994 - Immer weiter
- 1996 - Leuchtfeuer
- 1998 - Flaschenpost
- 2000 - Einhandsegler
- 2002 - Rüm Hart
- 2004 - Nanga Parbat
- 2007 - Bunter Hund
- 2010 - Mairegen
Live albums
- 1971 - Reinhard Mey live
- 1974 - 20.00 Uhr
- 1978 - Unterwegs
- 1981 - Tournee
- 1984 - Live '84
- 1987 - Die grosse Tournee '86
- 1991 - Mit Lust und Liebe
- 1995 - Zwischen Zürich und zu Haus
- 1997 - Lebenszeichen
- 1999 - Lampenfieber
- 2002 - Solo - Die Einhandsegler Tournee
- 2003 - Klaar Kiming
- 2006 - !ich kann
- 2009 - Danke Liebe Gute Fee
Compilation albums
- 1973 - Mädchen in den Schänken (Compilation of 7" 45rpm singles)
- 1973 - Alles was ich habe
- 1977 - Starportrait
- 1982 - Starportrait 2, Welch ein Geschenk ist ein Lied
- 1987 - Die großen Erfolge
- 1989 - Mein Apfelbäumchen
- 1990 - Die Story (6-CD-Release Bertelsmann Buchclub)
- 1993 - Ich liebe dich
- 1997 - Du bist ein Riese ...
- 2000 - Peter und der Wolf / Tierballaden
- 2003 - Über den Wolken - Lieder aus 4 Jahrzehnten
Singles
- 1965 - Geh und fang den Wind / Drei Lilien (Debut single; German cover version of DonovanDonovanDonovan Donovan Donovan (born Donovan Philips Leitch (born 10 May 1946) is a Scottish singer-songwriter and guitarist. Emerging from the British folk scene, he developed an eclectic and distinctive style that blended folk, jazz, pop, psychedelia, and world music...
s "Catch The WindCatch the Wind (song)"Catch the Wind" is a song written and recorded by Scottish singer-songwriter Donovan. It was released as a single in the United Kingdom on March 12, 1965 through Pye Records and a few months later in the United States through Hickory Records...
" under the pseudonym Rainer May) - 1966 - 25 00 30 Fred Kasulzke protestazki / Frau Pohl / Vertreterbesuch / Ballade / Bauer ich bitt euch (EP)
- 1966 - Die drei Musketiere / Schuttabladeplatz der Zeit / Abgesang / Mein Kanapee (EP)
- 1968 - Diplomatenjagd / Komm, giess mein Glas noch einmal ein
- 1969 - Ich hab' nur Dich gekannt / Der Weg zurück
- 1970 - Die Ballade vom Pfeifer / Ankomme, Freitag, den 13.
- 1970 - In meinem Zimmer fällt leis' der Regen / Ein Krug aus Stein
- 1971 - Die heisse Schlacht am kalten Buffet / Neun... und vorbei
- 1971 - Der Mörder ist immer der Gärtner / Längst geschlossen sind die Läden
- 1972 - Annabelle, ach Annabelle / Bevor ich mit den Wölfen heule
- 1973 - Trilogie auf Frau Pohl / Das Geheimnis im Hefeteig oder der Schuss im Backofen
- 1973 - Aber Deine Ruhe findest Du nicht mehr / Zwei Hühner auf dem Weg nach Vorgestern
- 1974 - Mann aus Alemannia / Über den Wolken
- 1974 - Gute Nacht Freunde / Musikanten sind in der Stadt
- 1974 - Über den Wolken / Der alte Bär ist tot und sein Käfig leer
- 1975 - Es gibt Tage, da wünscht' ich, ich wär' mein Hund / Es bleibt eine Narbe zurück
- 1975 - Hab Erdöl im Garten / Ich bin Klempner von Beruf
- 1977 - Ist mir das peinlich / Mein erstes graues Haar
- 1977 - Einen Antrag auf Erteilung eines Antragsformulars / Menschenjunges
- 1978 - Daddy Blue / Alles ist gut
- 1979 - Keine ruhige Minute / Dieter Malinek, Ulla und ich
- 1979 - Dr. Nahtlos, Dr. Sägeberg und Dr. Hein / Was weiss ich schon von Dir?
- 1980 - Wir sind lauter arme, kleine Würstchen / Freunde, lasst uns trinken
- 1980 - Sommermorgen / Bei Ilse und Willi auf'm Land
- 1981 - Müllmänner-Blues / Das Lebe ist ...
- 1983 - Was in der Zeitung steht / Ich würde gern einmal in Dresden singen
- 1983 - Hilf mir / Ich habe nie mehr Langeweile
- 1984 - Rundfunkwerbung-Blues
- 1984 - Frohe Weihnacht / Alles ist so schön verpackt
- 1985 - Lasst sie reisen / Ich grüsse ...
- 1990 - Alle Soldaten woll'n nach Haus
' - 1986 - Nein, meine Söhne geb' ich nicht
- 1992 - Das Etikett (Promo-Single)
- 1994 - 51er Kapitän
- 1996 - Lilienthals Traum
- 1998 - Die 12 Weihnachtstage (Adaptation of the British Christmas song "The Twelve Days of Christmas") / Willst Du Dein Herz mir schenken
- 2000 - Einhandsegler
- 2000 - Ich bring' Dich durch die Nacht (Promo-Single)
With other artists
- 1986 - Ein Loch in der Kanne (Live with Rainhard FendrichRainhard FendrichRainhard Jürgen Fendrich is an Austrian singer, composer, entertainer, and actor. He is one of the most successful Austropop musicians. His lyrics are written in Viennese German, and he is very popular in Austria, but less in other German-speaking countries, and by far less known in non-German...
) - 1996 - Liebe, Schnaps & Tod (with Hannes WaderHannes WaderHannes Wader is a German singer-songwriter . He was an important figure in German leftist circles from the 1970s on, with his songs covering such themes as socialist and communist resistance to oppression in Europe and other places like Latin America...
and Klaus HoffmannKlaus HoffmannKlaus Hoffmann is a German singer, songwriter and actor.- Career :Klaus Hoffmann started his career as a singer-songwriter during the late 1960s in the alternative Berlin club culture...
) - 1999 - Einfach abhau'n, einfach geh'n (Maxi-CD, with Ina Deter)
- 2003 - Mey, Wader, Wecker - Das Konzert (live with Hannes WaderHannes WaderHannes Wader is a German singer-songwriter . He was an important figure in German leftist circles from the 1970s on, with his songs covering such themes as socialist and communist resistance to oppression in Europe and other places like Latin America...
and Konstantin WeckerKonstantin WeckerKonstantin Alexander Wecker is one of the best-known German singer-songwriters ; he also works as a composer, author, and actor.- Life and work :...
)
Studio
- 1970 - Frédérik Mey, Vol. 1
- 1972 - Frédérik Mey, Vol. 2
- 1974 - Frédérik Mey, Vol. 3
- 1976 - Frédérik Mey, Vol. 4
- 1979 - Frédérik Mey, Vol. 5
- 1982 - Frédérik Mey, Vol. 6
- 2005 - Frédérik Mey, Vol. 7 - douce France