Till Lindemann

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Lindemann started playing drums for the Schwerin-based experimental rock band First Arsch in 1986, who released an album titled Saddle Up in 1992. He also played one song with the punk band Feeling B in 1989, which was the former band of Rammstein members Paul Landers, Christoph Schneider and Christian 'Flake' Lorenz. During his time in Feeling B, he played the drums. In 1994, the band entered and won a contest in Berlin that allowed them to record a four track demo professionally. When questioned about the band's name, he said he viewed images of the Ramstein air show disaster on television, and that he and the bandmates wanted to make a musical memorial. During Rammstein's early years, because of his use of over-the-top pyrotechnics, Lindemann burned his ears, hair and arms. Bandmate Christoph Schneider commented, 'Till gets burned all the time, but he likes the pain.' An incident in September 1996 caused a section of the band's set to burn, and as a result, Lindemann got his certification in pyrotechnics so the band could perform with pyrotechnics more safely. During the filming of the music video for 'Ich tu dir weh', Lindemann wanted a light put in his mouth; he opted to have a surgical incision in his left cheek so that a light could be fed into his mouth directly. Unlike most frontmen, Lindemann stated in an interview that he does not like being looked at while on stage, and would wear sunglasses to block out views of the audience. The main purpose of the band's signature pyrotechnics has also been stated to actually be a tool in taking the audience's attention away from Lindemann, whilst doubling as a spectacle for the audience.

In Their Own Story

At a performance in Sweden in 2005, Lindemann received a knee injury on stage when keyboardist Flake accidentally ran into him while riding a Segway PT. This injury caused several tour dates in Asia to be cancelled. During Rammstein's US tour in June 1999, Lindemann and his bandmate Christian 'Flake' Lorenz were arrested in Worcester, Massachusetts, for lewd conduct performed during their song 'Bück dich', which consisted of Lindemann using a liquid squirting dildo and simulating anal sex on Lorenz. Both were released the following day after bail was met. This incident did not stop Lindemann from performing in the same manner for future shows outside the United States, particularly in Australia when they performed at the 2011 Big Day Out. On his 52nd birthday (4 January 2015), it was announced that Lindemann would start a new project with Peter Tägtgren named Lindemann. The band released their debut album Skills in Pills in June 2015. On 22 November 2019, Lindemann released their second album, F&M. Lindemann was nominated for Best Narrative at the Berlin Music Video Awards 2020 with his music video 'Frau & Mann'. In 2021, his music video 'Alle Tage ist kein Sonntag' received a nomination for Most Bizarre.

Reader's Guide

Lindemann was born on 4 January 1963 in Leipzig (then in East Germany), the son of NDR journalist Brigitte Hildegard 'Gitta' Lindemann and poet Werner Lindemann. He grew up in Wendisch-Rambow alongside his younger sister, Saskia. At age 11, Lindemann went to a sports school at the sports club SC Empor Rostock, and attended a boarding school from 1977 to 1980. In 1978, he participated in the European Junior Swimming Championships in Florence, finishing 11th in the 1500 m freestyle and 7th in the 400 m freestyle, swimming a time of 4'17"58; he was shortlisted to go to the 1980 Olympics in Moscow, but left the sport due to an injury. He later worked as an apprentice carpenter, a gallery technician, a peat cutter, and a basket weaver. Lindemann has published three books of poetry: Messer (2002), In stillen Nächten (2013), and 100 Gedichte (2020). In 2005, five Rammstein albums received platinum awards and the band also received the 'World Sales Awards' for over 10 million sold copies worldwide. In 2011, Roadrunner Records listed Lindemann at number 50 of the 50 greatest metal frontmen of all time. Rammstein has sold over 25 million records worldwide, with five of their albums receiving platinum status.

Did You Know?

• Lindemann got his certification in pyrotechnics after a September 1996 incident caused a section of the band's set to burn.
• For the 'Ich tu dir weh' music video, Lindemann had a surgical incision made in his left cheek so a light could be fed directly into his mouth.
• In 1978, Lindemann competed in the European Junior Swimming Championships in Florence, finishing 11th in the 1500 m freestyle and 7th in the 400 m freestyle.
• Lindemann does not like being looked at while on stage and wears sunglasses to block out views of the audience.
• The first album Lindemann owned was Deep Purple's Stormbringer.