Taco

Taco is especially known for his cover version of the Irving Berlin hit “Puttin 'on the Ritz”. He studied interior architecture and graduated from the drama school in Hamburg. From 1975, Taco became an ensemble member of the Thalia Theater (Hamburg). In 1979 he played the Chino under John Neumeier in Leonard Bernstein's West Side Story. In late 1979 he founded his own band under the name Taco's Bizz and went on tour. In 1981 he appeared on the German preliminary decision for the Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Träume brauchen Zeit". 1982-1984: In September 1982, Taco, together with producer David Parker, recorded the single “Puttin 'on the Ritz” at the Peer Studios in Hamburg. A first tour with the new styling (Fred Astaire inspired step-dance routines, performance in the evening dress) through Sweden followed. For the single, he received the first Golden Record. The album “After Eight” was completed and released. In the following year, the European Tour and Promotion Campaigns began to show success: platinum record awards from Canada, winning the Goldene Europa trophy, followed by a tour through the USA. In the spring of 1984, “Puttin 'on the Ritz” reached No. 4 of the US billboard charts. Follow up singles were “Singin 'in the Rain” and “Cheek to Cheek”. In 1984, Taco recorded the sequel album “Let's Face the Music” with Parker in Hamburg. TV appearances, tours through Japan and the German-speaking countries followed. He won the Best Singer Award at the Tokyo Music Festival.