DJ ÖTZI
"A Mann für Amore"
Born to inspire.
When he was born on January 7, 1971, no one could have foreseen that Gerhard Friedle from St. Johann in Tirol would develop into one of the most successful pop stars in the German-speaking world. Gerry grew up with foster parents, his grandmother and in boarding school.
After an apprenticeship as a cook, he lived as a homeless person for a while and got to know the dark side of life in all its harshness. The fact that he is so positive and optimistic today, with the insatiable urge to make other people happy, may have something to do with this phase of his life.
A superstar overnight.
The turning point in his life was a karaoke competition, which he won in 1995. After this first sense of achievement, Gerry worked for several years as an animator, singer and DJ.
He became a superstar practically overnight in 1999! 14 bands had recorded the song "Anton aus Tirol" without success - in the version of "Anton feat. DJ Ötzi” he then surprisingly shot to the top of the top 10 in Austria, Germany and Denmark. The fact that the song stayed in the charts for 42 weeks in Germany and even 75 weeks in Austria underscores the hit that Gerry Friedle from St. Johann had landed here.
This meteoric rise surprised Gerry the most. While other artists slowly learn to deal with success, DJ Ötzi barely had a second to process the quick fame. All the more admirable that he never lost his feet on the ground, always remained the person who was and – until today has been able to stay at the top!
The international breakthrough with Hey Baby.
And then what nobody thought possible happened: the single "Hey Baby" did the impossible and went #1 in England, Ireland, Scotland, South Africa and Australia! DJ Ötzi was the first Austrian ever to be awarded gold and platinum in England. His appearance on the legendary TV show "Top of the Pops", together with Paul McCartney and Jennifer Lopez, is also unforgettable. Incidentally, “Hey Baby” is still played at almost all important sporting events in the USA – including the Super Bowl.
In 2001, Gerry was able to top the success of "Hey Baby" with a very private highlight: on August 8th he married his girlfriend Sonja. In this relationship he not only found happiness in his private life, but also important support for his future career.
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A year full of highlights.
In 2002, the Tyrolean pop star celebrated a huge success that was hardly noticed in the German-speaking world. Together with the "Hermes House Band" he re-recorded the opus hit "Live is Life" and stayed at number 2 in France for 5 weeks. The song sold over 800,000 copies and also became the official anthem of the successful football team "Stade de France". Two other events made this year unforgettable: First, Gerry received an honor that meant at least as much to him as number 1 in the charts: On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Elvis Presley's death, he performed with the original Elvis band in Memphis. A highly touching moment - and the well-deserved international artistic recognition.
Sonja and Gerry became parents on September 17th. The name Lisa Marie, after Elvis' daughter, was a symbolic nod to the King of Rock 'n Roll.
Number 1 from Germany to Japan!
In the summer of 2003, he proved that a real Tyrolean man can't be slowed down by a boycott. The "Burger Song" was not played by any German-language music station - it didn't matter - the song climbed to number 1 in the German charts.
Undoubtedly inspired by his role as a young father, Gerry devoted himself to a completely different project in the following years: in 2006 the children's album "I am the Music Man" by DJ Ötzi Junior was released. Gerry was the godfather and idea generator for this album, which made it to number 24 in the German charts and incredible, but true - number 1 in Japan.
One star breaks all records.
In 2007, DJ Ötzi returned spectacularly and record-breakingly to the German-language charts. The song "Ein Stern (der Werden dein Namen)" recorded together with Nik P. not only became a number 1 hit - it stayed that way in Germany for 13 weeks, and 11 in Austria. In Germany, Austria and Switzerland, the Consequently, the song also number 1 on the annual charts. And the accompanying album "Sternstunden" was one of the most successful of the year, being awarded gold and platinum.
The “Stern” then broke another age-old record. With a total of 41 weeks in the German single top 10, the megahit clearly surpassed Freddy Quinn's "Die instrumente und das Meer" from 1959 (36 weeks in the top 10). By the way, the song is still the single that has been in the German TOP 100 for the longest time. As if that weren't enough of an honor, Gerry was also awarded 2 Echos in 2008, including as the best German-language hit artist.
New sound that comes "from the heart".
After he had sung the official song for the European Handball Championships with "Sweet Caroline" in 2010, the artist's childhood dream came true in 2012. Together with the Bellamy Brothers he recorded the album "Simply the best".
After almost ten years, Gerry decided, in 2016, to record a new song together with Nik P.: "Born to love you" became the hit of the year in 2016. A good start for "Von Herzen", a very special album, the most personal that Gerry has ever made. Here DJ Ötzi doesn't hide behind any clichés, but reveals his innermost being - and surprises with unusual new sounds.
DJ Ötzi Gipfeltour
In February 2017, Gerry took time for another affair of the heart: The "DJ Ötzi Gipfeltour" took him back to his roots. All alone, without a backing band, he performed at selected ski huts, sang and worked as a DJ again. He deliberately chose this small setting in order to have the most direct contact possible with his fans, who mean so much to him.
After 4 stops in 2017, the DJ Ötzi Gipfeltour took place in 8 winter sports resorts due to the groundbreaking success in 2018. And the journey continued: in 2019 there were stops in Germany, Switzerland and South Tyrol for the first time.
DJ Ötzi Gipfeltreffen
In 2018, Gerry fulfilled a dream and, for the first time in DJ Ötzi history, went on a solo concert tour throughout Germany with his band. The DJ Ötzi Gipfeltreffen is a 2-hour firework display of hits - in addition to his biggest German and English party hits, the fans were also able to get to know a musically very emotional and calm side of DJ Ötzi. The success proved him right: 3 weeks - 12 tour stops and full concert halls later: after this more than successful premiere, the fans could look forward to a sequel in 2019!
Charity
Social issues are also important to Gerry. Despite all his successes, he has never forgotten what it's like when things aren't going so well, which is why he supports charity projects such as the "Wärmestube" in Salzburg (www.waermestube.at) and is an ambassador for "Wings for life – Foundation for Spinal Cord Research" (www .wingsforlife.com/de)..)