Howard Carpendale:

Howard Carpendale, one of the most successful German language singers around, was born on January 14, 1946 in Durban, South Africa. His father was a businessman but was also an active politician and it had been hoped that Howard would follow in these footsteps.

In 1960, while attending Durban High School, Howard Carpendale made it to the final round of a young singers competition but, due to all the excitement, forgot the lyrics to the song he was to perform. For some time after he didn't trust himself on the stage though he was a member of a school band. Music, however, was not his only interest. He was very active in sports: Cricket, rugby, boxing and track and field were his specialties.

In 1963, he joined the beat group, "The Kinsmen" and with them won the "Battle of the Beat" sponsored by Radio Springbok. For 3 months the group was the best loved of the popular radio station. This same year he made his first recording - the song "Endless Sleep" was a moderate success and on July 26 he won an Elvis Presley talent contest. It was, however, in sports that he had his first real success when he threw a 12-lb shotput for 15.33 meters. It was a South African record.

In 1965, following the wishes of his father, Carpendale began studying economics at the Natal University. After 3 months, though, he tossed his books out, realizing that his life had to follow a different path. He didn't think, however, that his life path would be a musical one. Instead he traveled to London to begin training as a professional cricket player.

In 1966, to tide him over, he took a job as singer for a beat band and traveled with them to Germany for a guest appearance. This guest performance in Wuppertal had such an effect on Carpendale that he traveled to Köln and auditioned for the record company, Electrola. The incredible occurred - he received a contract for an album. The record, "Lebenslänglich" went on the market on Nov. 21 and sold 60,000 copies. His contract was extended and he decided to stay in Germany.

More albums appeared along with growing success and TV shows. His first real hit, though, was a cover of the Beatles song, "Obladi-Oblada" and in 1970 he won the "German Schlager Festival" with the song, "Das schöne Mädchen von Seite 1". The record company gave him a spectacular 10 year contract but after this his success began a sharp decline. In record shops his albums didn't move. It was only in the night club shops of discotheques that sales still flourished, assuring him a certain bit of prosperity. Everyone was convinced this was the sign of a typical short term Schlager career that was at it's end and in 1973 his record company terminated his contract.

Thus Carpendale decided to take matters into his own hands. He composed some songs, produced them himself in the studio and in the beginning of January, 1974, this self made production went on the market. "...da nahm er seine Gitarre" became one of his biggest hits and it was followed by one hit after another, most of which were his own compositions. With a bang Howard Carpendale was back on top!

This was followed by concert appearances and then his first big tour in 1978. In 1979/1980 he received the "Goldene Löwe", the "Goldene Europa" as well as other honours. Then his first and second gold albums, "Mein Weg zu dir" and "Eine Stunde für dich", were followed by a renewed contract with Electrola and a 1980 tour of 40 cities.

In 1981, at the high point of his career, Howard Carpendale made a surprising announcement: "I am withdrawing for at least a year. No radio. No TV. No records and no concerts. I need a creative pause.". The experts were united in that such a decision in this fast moving business was certain death and would most certainly mark the end of his career.

The experts were, however, proven wrong. The 1984 comeback of Howard Carpendale with the song, "Hello Again" and a corresponding concert tour was a triumphant success. This same year Carpendale made a movie in his homeland, South Africa, called "Niemand weint für immer". It was a moderate artistic success but, all the same, 200,000 Germans came to the theaters to see it and, more importantly, it established Carpendale as an actor as well as singer.

His gold records increased to 10 and with his popsong, "Laura Jane", he set new standards in his musical style. Psychologists tried to penetrate the phenomenon that was Howard Carpendale and agents scrambled to get him. He was at the pinnacle of his career and in 1989 wrote, with Dieter Weidenfeld, the biographical book, "Von oben sieht alles anders aus" which became a fast bestseller.

In 1990, he went on his biggest tour yet - 90 concerts - and made the decision to change his record company to Polydor. The first album with this new firm was "Ganz nah" and it went gold a short time later.

In 1993, Carpendale began work as an actor for the RTL TV-series "Matchball". He played tennis pro, "Johnny Storm". The show enjoyed a respectable following of 4 million viewers but these numbers were a disappointment to Carpendale who apparently thought his hard work would have this series at a higher placement.

Another successful album, "Lust auf mehr", came out in 1999 and in 2001, Carpendale produced the album, "Alles OK", which was released in the spring of this same year and included the hit, "Ruf mich an". He also agreed to make a TV program for ARD entitled "Howard Carpendale: Mein Südafrika". It presented 8 songs from his new album as well as his home, South Africa. Before this, in 2000, he proved himself once again to be an actor of some capability by auditioning as lead man for an American mystery series and getting the role even without anyone knowing he was an established public figure already.

In 2003, the new album was ready and, was, he thought, the best he'd done in years. The single, "Du bist doch noch hier" came out in March, the album in April. Then in the fall of 2003, Howard Carpendale was, for the last time on tour - a farewell tour. On December 13, the final curtain fell and a musical leader, who for over 30 years had helped to shape and mold the German musical landscape, called it quits. The double album, "Danke - Ti Amo" closed with a brand new song which brings to heart Howard Carpendale's life & all that he has created: "Ich würd' es immer wieder tun". It went gold in March, 2004. He also received the Echo 2004 award in this same month for all his work and a DVD "Das Finale - Live" was released in 2004 and went to #1! -Mikki 6/04

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