Dirk Michaelis

Dirk Michaelis is a grateful person. When he accepted the offer to become the singer of a legendary band with former Renft musicians, he gave them and himself their biggest hit. "Als ich fortging" is the name of the timeless work that has long since found its place in the annals of sophisticated German pop. The ballad-like song has been and continues to be covered like no other. There are punk, jazz, a cappella, techno, harmonica and trumpet versions; the song has been translated into Portuguese, Spanish and Greek; Clueso, Rosenstolz and Tokio Hotel have also sung it.

"Als ich fortging", which celebrates its 35th anniversary since its first release in 2022, is exemplary of Dirk Michaelis' musical work. They are always songs by a very approachable singer. Songs that are highly emotional and far removed from the sluggish mainstream of the New German mood. Songs that are often gentle but never powerless. Songs that you have to listen to, that challenge the audience and yet are permeated with that simple pop appeal that appeals to the majority.

"Stilles Dorf", "Seelenverwandt", "Wo wollen du hin", "Ich möchte mir gehörn", "Feld aus Gold" or more recent songs such as "Heimat" and "Alles wird gut" (a duet with his daughter Anouk) represent a diverse oeuvre with atmospheric density and profound poetry. Already on his solo debut "Rockchansongs" from 1992, which was followed by ten more albums to date, the charismatic musician made it clear with his soulful compositions that he cannot be reduced to just one big hit.

Dirk Michaelis can now look back on four decades of artistic career. It includes joint tours with Dirk Zöllner (Die Zöllner) and André Herzberg (Pankow) as "Die 3HIGHligen"; the program "Seelenverwandt" together with the poet Gisela Steineckert, who wrote many other texts for him in addition to "Heimat" and "Als ich fortging"; two albums on which he translates pieces by Sting, Norah Jones and Paul McCartney into German; duets with Sarah Connor, Matthias Reim and José Carreras; participation in the children's album project "Hier lebst du" or, in 2022, participation in the "Rocklegenden" alongside Maschine, Silly and City. As different as the individual stations are, they have one thing in common: Dirk Michaelis reaches both the heart and the mind with everything he does.

A basis for where Dirk Michaelis and his songs belong - on stage! Whether in a trio, with a large band or on his own. Artful and yet light, he proves himself to be a veritable entertainer, his performances benefit from the fascinating mixture of apparent understatement, a sensitive feel for nuances and exuberant musicality.

Dirk Michaelis is a grateful person. First and foremost towards his audience, who remain loyal to him, also because he never underestimates them.

Dirk Michaelis is the official ambassador of the Josè Carreras Leukaemia Foundation and supports many charitable projects, including Amnesty International. Dirk Michaelis is a grateful person. When he accepted the offer to become the singer of a legendary band with former Renft musicians, he gave them and himself their biggest hit. "Als ich fortging" is the name of the timeless work that has long since found its place in the annals of sophisticated German pop. The ballad-like song has been and continues to be covered like no other. There are punk, jazz, a cappella, techno, harmonica and trumpet versions; the song has been translated into Portuguese, Spanish and Greek; Clueso, Rosenstolz and Tokio Hotel have also sung it.

"Als ich fortging", which celebrates its 35th anniversary since its first release in 2022, is exemplary of Dirk Michaelis' musical work. They are always songs by a very approachable singer. Songs that are highly emotional and far removed from the sluggish mainstream of the New German mood. Songs that are often gentle but never powerless. Songs that you have to listen to, that challenge the audience and yet are permeated with that simple pop appeal that appeals to the majority.

"Stilles Dorf", "Seelenverwandt", "Wo wollen du hin", "Ich möchte mir gehörn", "Feld aus Gold" or more recent songs such as "Heimat" and "Alles wird gut" (a duet with his daughter Anouk) represent a diverse oeuvre with atmospheric density and profound poetry. Already on his solo debut "Rockchansongs" from 1992, which was followed by ten more albums to date, the charismatic musician made it clear with his soulful compositions that he cannot be reduced to just one big hit.

Dirk Michaelis can now look back on four decades of artistic career. It includes joint tours with Dirk Zöllner (Die Zöllner) and André Herzberg (Pankow) as "Die 3HIGHligen"; the program "Seelenverwandt" together with the poet Gisela Steineckert, who wrote many other texts for him in addition to "Heimat" and "Als ich fortging"; two albums on which he translates pieces by Sting, Norah Jones and Paul McCartney into German; duets with Sarah Connor, Matthias Reim and José Carreras; participation in the children's album project "Hier lebst du" or, in 2022, participation in the "Rocklegenden" alongside Maschine, Silly and City. As different as the individual stations are, they have one thing in common: Dirk Michaelis reaches both the heart and the mind with everything he does.

A basis for where Dirk Michaelis and his songs belong - on stage! Whether in a trio, with a large band or on his own. Artful and yet light, he proves himself to be a veritable entertainer, his performances benefit from the fascinating mixture of apparent understatement, a sensitive feel for nuances and exuberant musicality.

Dirk Michaelis is a grateful person. First and foremost towards his audience, who remain loyal to him, also because he never underestimates them.

Dirk Michaelis is the official ambassador of the Josè Carreras Leukaemia Foundation and supports, in addition to many charitable projects, “Amnesty International”.