Howard Carpendale: My songs are not for Roland Kaiser!

Howard Carpendale: My songs are not for Roland Kaiser!

What a legacy! Howard Carpendale, one of the greatest icons of the German musical landscape, looks back on almost 60 years of stage life as he prepares for his upcoming anniversary in 2026. In a personal interview, the 79-year-old talks about his impressive career and why he clearly sets himself apart from other pop greats, especially Roland Kaiser. “I would never sing Kaiser’s songs,” said Carpendale. This is more a question of artistic self-image than a criticism of Kaiser's success. “His theme is the physical aspects, while I value the emotional approach more,” he explains, going on to say that his lyrics are always based on his own feelings.

Howard Carpendale has faced difficult times in recent years, particularly health challenges. In November 2023 he had to undergo an operation on his right leg, which was necessary a second time due to complications. “The second operation was very hard,” admits the singer, who has had ongoing problems ever since. Nevertheless, he remains optimistic and sees his life as overall happy, despite all the setbacks.

Artistic identity and personal grief

An important aspect that explains Carpendale's lack of interest in Kaiser's songs is his personal experiences and losses. During his career, he lost his entire family in South Africa, including his mother, father and two sisters. “Although there were sad moments, I think the happy experiences should outweigh them,” he emphasizes, speaking of a positive approach to life. This attitude is also reflected in his choice of music: “I only sing lyrics that agree with my own values,” he emphasizes.

The singer, who moved to Europe in 1966 and signed his first record deal in 1966, has developed from a talented young star into one of Germany's most popular pop interpreters. His first successes, such as the cover of the Beatles classic “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” and his own composition “The Beautiful Girl from Page One”, are just a few stages on a long, eventful career path. In 1984, his hit “Hello Again” sparked a comeback, and since then many of his albums have been high on the charts.

A look into the future

Planning for the future is also an exciting topic. Carpendale has announced that it will start a farewell tour in January 2026, starting on March 12th in Riesa and ending on April 18th in Hamburg. But don't worry! Although he wants to end the tour with the big performances, he still plans to give concerts. “I will always be connected to music,” he explains. A jukebox musical with his hits is already on the way, with the premiere entitled "Hello! Again?" on November 2, 2024 in Leipzig.

With a life that has included both highs and lows, Howard Carpendale will continue to be an integral part of the German music landscape. Anyone hoping to see him live on stage soon can look forward to 2026 and what he still has to offer at the end of his impressive career.