In the little town Munstermeinfild
(little
more than 170 inhabitants), in Aifel near Koblenz, in the family of the
financial employee Peter Weidung the son was born. He was called
Ahim. The child was growing as troublesome terrible fidget, and the head
was splitting into pieces from that noise, which he made every day. His
mother, Helga Weidung, dreamed about the girl…
6 years later parents decided
to repeat experiment. And opening the spring season, on Thursday, March
1, 1963, a little bit later than 6 o’clock Bernd was
born – the second son in the Weidung’s family. The event was glad, and
the father had to treat all in the little hotel with the restaurant.
It was tender little boy
with black hair and hazel eyes. As a contrast to his brother, the boy didn’t
make noise at all – he just ate and slept – without any fuss. But kiddy
had one whim: he waked up punctually at two a.m. and required a bottle
of sweet milk, so mother had to get up every night.
He did not change, getting
little older. As a long-expected and longed-for girl, he was affectionate
and quiet, he liked endearments regarding to his parents, which adored
their prodigy-child. Bernd suddenly began to distinguish Barbie dolls with
long hair from all the toys. He could bother with them for hours: to lull,
to comb and to change their clothes. The adults always said that he would
make a careful father of the family. In addition, since than, the appearance
of Barbie – blonde with blue eyes – will bury itself in his head for a
long time.
Bernd has overcome parents
by showing his beautiful voice at the young age. That time, near the native
Munstermeinfild, Weidung’s family had rented rather small with little shop,
where mother Helga was the mistress. There and at home’s holidays,
little Bernie had appeared singing children’s songs and lullabies. Then
little one began to rehash popular hits also. The guitar was given to him
on Christmas. Thus this little kiddy opened his mouth under the
phonogram of popular singer and, besides that, he pretended that he is
jingling the guitar. All Munstermeinfild adored its little artiste.
When Bernd became seven,
father Peter, mayor of Munstermeinfild at those times, allowed his son
to sing at local celebration of Christmas. It was the first official
performance of Bernd. He stood on a chair, that all could see him,
and sang song «Heidschi Bumbeidschi». His earnings were the
packet of chips and bar of chocolate.
At the same time, the accession happened in the Weidung’s family: Tania-Catherine,
the sister of Bernd and Ahim was born.
Once the photograph of local
press had come on inauguration of one many-special hall, and Bernd sang
four hours in front of him. Then this photograph went to the large
dance hall in Koblenz and had told to the owner about the little singer.
Thus, the first public performance of Bernd took place at New Year's Gala-concert
in Koblenz. And certainly Bernd declared about himself at each friend case:
«I shall become a singer someday!»
Bernd visited lessons of
a piano and singing. When he was learning music, parents and neighbors
endured this all with astonishing patience despite of deafening volume
level.
Bernd was growing a real
gentleman: he opened the door to the adults, served coffee, helped mother
about the household. In 10 years the boy had prepared one more surprise
to his mother: he had baked his first pie while nobody was home!
Parents brought his son
up not strictly, but a little bit conservatively. And some questions, which
young boy was interested in, Bernd was enlightened by himself with teen-age
magazine “BRAVO”.
To the parents’ gladness,
Bernd registered on the dancing lessons at 14-y.o. age. Although,
he made it because of that, that his classmates had done it already. But
some time later he understood, that fox trot, tango and old-fashioned bows
weren’t destined for him. He got rid of everything: of fat lady, which
smelled with garlic, and which he always tried to avoid when the substitution
of partner in dance was. The most ridiculous for him were the bows with
rose in the hand in the front of partner’s parents, and the ceremonious
passing by the hand with girl into the hall.
Bernd was in no way conspicuous
for great progress in school, he simply was too lazy. Especially Bernd
took dislike to physical training lessons – the football and running. He
was interested in music more.
(1979-1982)
Gradually
the Bernd’s ambition began to talk, and he started to take part in many
competitions for the young talents. He had won a lot of prizes, but to
achieve the real success he need to work more and more.
In 1979, on the competition of new names of Luxembourg Radio, Thomas
get acquainted with his manager Peter Crab and he concluded his first
long-expected contract with sound recording studio CBS. The bosses
of the studio decided that such name as Bernd Weidung nobody cold remember,
and they proposed Bernd to call himself differently (anders – ger., pun).
The pseudonym was born in such way: Bernd Weidung became Thomas
Anders.
Parents
could be proud of their son, though they didn’t intend to make a star from
their dearly loved, but they also didn’t put a spoke in his wheel. Father
signed contracts by himself until Bernd didn’t become 18-y.o.
Peter
Crab introduced Bernd to Daniel David, the producer from Frankfurt. Together
with him Bernd, or Thomas Anders already, recorded his first single
“Judy” in 1980 and later two other.
Thomas
sang about love in his songs, though nothing of the kind was in his life
yet. Bernd was timid with girls. He “kindled” too late, he never went to
parties and discotheques. He had no time for it also.
Thomas appeared together with other groups on
music show “Thommy’s Teen Rock Show”, where he, 17-y.o. guy, was met better
than everyone else. They traveled through a half of Germany. Thomas had
appeared with second single “Du weinst um ihn” on his first big TV show
“Haetten Sie heute Zeit fuer uns” (“Have you time for us today”) with Mihael
Scheinz, famous German master of the show.
In
the end of 1980 the first article about Thomas Anders was issued
in the most fashionable teen-age magazine “Bravo”, where nevertheless
mistake was admitted: there was written that the real name of him is Thomas
WeiGunD.
Meanwhile he studied at Eichendorf gimnasium
in the center of Koblenz. Bernd was quite famous person that time. And
once the reporters from the school newspaper “Schnurps” visited him to
take an interview. The photographer and the master of music column in this
newspaper was Guido Karp those times. They quickly learned to understand
one another: Guido was of the same age as Thomas, also from Aifel, and
his second hobby (after photographing) was music. It could be possible
to combine pleasant things with useful ones – to take snapshots of Music.
Since than Guido was and is staying the closest friend of Thomas.
The
last months of studying in gymnasium Bernd concentrated at studying, because
it was the basis of his life. Father always reminded to his son that good
education – it is foundation for any profession, even for singer. In
1982, Bernd got the certificate about the secondary education. In summer
after final-year exams, Thomas entered the Meinz University in the journalistic
faculty, where he started to learn publicistic writing and German philology
and music science.
That
time he had parted with Daniel David and had changed sound recording firm,
label “Hansa” was on his singles now. He had recorded single together
with Bernd Dietrich and German singer G G Anderson.
Several
times a month Thomas appeared in clubs and discotheques of southgerman
regions. On one of the same festivity in native Koblenz, Thomas get acquainted
with Stephanie – his first adolescent love – harmonious, long-haired blonde
with blue eyes. Steffi was 3 years older than Thomas, and, moreover, she
was taller – 178 sm, and Thomas’ growth was only 172. Little Bernd fascinated
Stephanie, she liked, how he sang and played the piano. They met again
a few weeks later, and all had begun in such way.
They
went for a drive by car at Bonn’s neighborhood and walked in the city park.
Bernd certainly wanted to hold Steffi for the hand at that, but she felt
herself like a “monster” near him because of growth. But Bernd always so
strongly took her hand that she had to submit. And the first kiss also
took place…in the car, it was very ardent and passionate from Thomas’ side.
Thomas imperceptibly palmed off on Stephanie a little glass duck, when
once they were all together with friend Guido. But, despite of all these
marks of esteem, Bernd was very shy. He had never said “I love you!” to
Stephanie – he wrote about it in letters, sing to her about it in the car
or signed on the plates.
It
lasted until Stephanie get acquainted with older, more mature, experienced
man, and she had parted with Bernd.
(1983-1984)
In
the beginning of 1983 Thomas, Bernd Dietrich and G G Anderson only had
planned the recording of the next single, and the call was received at
his sound recording firm from big musical publishing “Intersong”. They
offered Thomas to record German variant of F. R. David’s hit “Pick up the
phone”, which was very popular those times. The German version of this
song “Was macht das schon?” Dieter Bohlen – 29-y.o. composer from
Oldenburg – had written. And Thomas flew to Hamburg to get acquainted with
Dieter. Bohlen was very glad of the singer, and he had composed three next
singles for him, but they hadn’t very big success.
Meanwhile Thomas continued to study in Meinz
and also to work, to appear at discotheques and to meet friends. Once his
friend of the school times Stephan asked him to go with him on a date.
Stephan wanted to overcome the girl, he liked, by his knowledge of rising
star – Thomas Anders. … … It was instantaneously. Bernd met his real love.
Since then, Nora-Isabel became the integral part in Thomas’ life.
About private life of Thomas and Nora from acquaintance to separation You can read on our site in section “Nora”.
In
the same 1983, Dieter wrote for Thomas the song “Wowon traeumst
Du denn?”, which had appeared in charts and was sold in 30 000 copies.
In 1984 “Endstation Sehnsucht” and then, in summer, “Heisskalter
Engel” followed, which was scanned the first clip on. This single was the
German version of the song “Send Me An Angel” of Australian group “REAL
LIFE”. They had one more song on disc – “Catch me, I’m falling”. Dieter
with Thomas had sung it for fun and understood, that Thomas’ voice sounds
better in English than in German. That’s why in September, 1984, the next
single “Es geht mir gut heut’ Nacht”, which was scanned the second clip
on, and it was sung in English.
At
the end of 1984, Dieter flew on long-expected holiday on Majorca. While
Thomas with Nora were on the Grand Canary, Dieter composed song “You’re
My Heart, You’re My Soul” on the Spanish island. This single Dieter and
Thomas issued together as duet “Modern Talking”.
And in the private life of Thomas Anders the
important event is happened: on December 28, 1984, he officially
registered his marriage with Nora Balling. And his real name became longer
with one more word: Bernd Weidung-Balling.
The
single “You’re My Heart, You’re My Soul” didn’t make a big break-through
at once, until…
(1985-1987)
the videopremiere of it took place in musical
telecast “Formel 1” ( “Formula 1”) on January 17, 1985.From
this moment, the “boom” of “Modern Talking” began. Their hit blew up all
charts and, eventually, it became # 1 Der media Control Hitliste
(the absolutely leader by sale according to facts from all mass media):
Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Israel, Germany, Austria … - it was
#1 everywhere!
In
March, the second single of “Modern Talking” – “You Can Win If You Want”
was issued and it was successful also!
The usual way of life of Thomas Anders turned
upside-down. The success together with the hard burden of star came: eternal
photo shootings, autographs, interviews, tours; the private life became
a public property…
Despite
of such concentrated life, on Jule 27, 1985, Thomas was married
to Nora in the church. The place and the date of ceremony were published
in the all publishings. All persons wishing to watch this event were invited,
the population of Koblenz increase almost double in this day.
In
September the third single “ Cherie, Cherie Lady” is issuing, it was sold
in near 200 thousand copies in two weeks. It was already the third videoclip,
and Thomas appeared with famous golden chain “Nora” for the first time
in it. Thomas stopped to cut his hair by Nora’s advice. His scenic
clothes of pink, blue and white tints was invented together with Nora.
Thomas was unique and inimitable on the music pop-stage with such eccentric
exterior.
In
1985 “Modern Talking” issued two albums at once.
The 1985 was the “year of trophies” for Thomas Anders and Dieter Bohlen,
they won almost all possible awards such as “Goldene Stimmgabel” (“Golden
Tuning Fork”), “Goldene Europe” (“Golden Europe”). Teen-age magazines elected
“Modern Talking” as The Group of the Year’85, and awarded also “Golden
BRAVO OTTO”, “Pop Rocky Hammerschlumpf”. They got the important award from
Luxembourg Radio in Dortmund – “Goldene RTL Loewe” (“Golden Lion”).
TO BE CONTINUED...