Peter Freudenthaler

File:Schulhof thg- hebel-gymnasium pforzheim.jpg

Peter was born on 19 February 1963, in the small German town of Pforzheim in Baden-Württemberg. Freudenthaler's family was religious, and from an early age he professed Protestantism.{{cite web|url=https://www.fernsehserien.de/so-gesehen-talk-am-sonntag/folgen/98-peter-freudenthaler-1176862|title=So gesehen – Talk am Sonntag|language=de|publisher=Fernsehserien.de|work=Bibel TV|date=17 June 2016|access-date=16 October 2019}} Also, his family was closely connected with music: his great-grandfather was a conductor and choirmaster. At the age of four, Peter became an admirer of Heintje Simons and was eager to become a singer.{{cite web|url=https://www.rnz.de/nachrichten/mosbach_artikel,-mosbach-lemon-tree-in-neckarzimmern-fools-garden-bei-der-tagungsstaette-der-evangelischen-jugend-_arid,295404.html|title=Fools Garden bei der Tagungsstätte der Evangelischen Jugend|publisher=Rhein-Neckar-Zeitung|language=de|access-date=16 November 2019|date=12 August 2017|author=Peter Lahr}} At the age of seven, he began to study the piano, his parents paid for his lessons even in spite of financial problems.{{cite web|url=https://intouch.wunderweib.de/fools-garden-heute-92836.html|title=Fools Garden: Was wurde aus den "Lemon Tree"-Stars?|publisher=InTouch.de|language=de|access-date=2 November 2019|author=Lena-Marie Lübker|date=5 August 2019}} Peter also had an uncle in Dresden, and as a child he periodically traveled with his family to the German Democratic Republic to visit him.{{cite web|url=https://www.bild.de/regional/dresden/dresden-aktuell/14-hope-gala-in-dresden-first-lady-haelt-spontan-laudatio-fuer-geldof-66095788.bild.html|title=First Lady hält Spontan-Laudatio für Bob Geldof|publisher=Bild.de|language=de|date=17 November 2019|author=Karsten Kehr|access-date=29 November 2019}}

In 1974, Freudenthaler was impressed with the FIFA World Cup held in Germany. He also had a desire to play football, but soon realized that he lacked skills. Two years later, Peter attended a Status Quo concert in Sindelfingen. The performance inspired Freudenthaler to create his own group. At the age of fifteen, he founded his first band Election, which performed cover versions of famous songs.{{cite web|url=https://www.munzinger.de/search/portrait/Fool+s+Garden/2/1277.html|title=Fool's Garden, deutsche Rockband|author=Götz Hintze, Christoph Schöneberger|publisher=Munzinger|language=de|date=19 August 2014|access-date=11 November 2019}} At that time, Peter was not yet a vocalist, in Election he only played keyboards. Demian, the second band in which Freudenthaler took part, already performed their own songs. In 1983, Demian took part in a music group competition, finishing at No. 8. In the same year, Peter founded his third band, The Stitch. Due to financial difficulties, he had to work a lot: in a charity center and as a forklift driver. In 1985 he graduated as a carpenter, and from 1986 to 1989 he studied to be a piano tuner.

Already with The Stitch, Freudenthaler began writing his own songs: "Sandy" and "Tell Me Who I Am". Soon, due to disagreements in the band, The Stitch broke up. In 1990, Peter entered the University of Stuttgart to study multimedia technology to create his own video clips. The following year, he met Volker Hinkel, who entered his second year of study. Hinkel, as well as Freudenthaler, was engaged in music creation and had his own project Magazine. After listening to each other's recordings, both musicians decided to continue their creative path together, and after a while Hinkel invited Freudenthaler to Magazine.

{{Quote box

|quote = We discovered that we both have a great passion for music and that we have lived only three kilometers apart geographically since childhood. We started to write songs together and quickly realized that it worked really well. So it really had to be some kind of fateful encounter, because the interaction with no one else worked that well before.

|author = —Peter Freudenthaler on acquaintance with Volker Hinkel.{{cite web|url=http://www.hobbymap.de/hobbys/kunst-kreativitaet/musik-machen/musik-in-einer-band/fools-garden-musik-in-einer-band-singen-pusht-den-adrenalinspiegel|title=Singen pusht den Adrenalinspiegel!|publisher=Hobbymap.de|language=de|access-date=2019-11-23}}

|source =

|width = 95%

|align = center

}}

Peter was impressed by the high quality of Volker's demos, so with his help the two re-recorded "Sandy" and "Tell Me Who I Am". After a while, Hinkel and Freudenthaler came across an advertisement in the newspaper, which offered to record an album for 130 DM. This is how Magazine was recorded.{{cite web|url=http://www.closer2foolsgardenfanclub.com/en/967-2/|title=Fools Garden — From the beginning...|publisher=Fools Garden Fanclub|language=en|access-date=25 September 2016}} This limited edition album was the precursor for the promo album Fool's Garden – Man in a Cage (simply abbreviated as Fool's Garden) released in 1991. In honor of the new album, Magazine was renamed Fool's Garden.

From 1991 to the present, Peter Freudenthaler has participated in the recording and release of 9 Fool's Garden studio albums. Musical activity as part of this band made Peter famous all over the world. This was due to the release of a single with the song "Lemon Tree", written by Freudenthaler, in 1995. According to the author, the plot of the song was based on true events, and he composed the song when he was waiting for girlfriend. The song became a major hit, topped music charts around the world, was broadcast on radio stations and sold out in large numbers.{{cite web|url=http://www.sonymusic.de/Fools-Garden/Biographie|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130217070504/http://www.sonymusic.de/Fools-Garden/Biographie|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-02-17|title=Fool's Garden — Biographie|publisher=Sony Music Entertainment Germany GmbH|author=|language=de|access-date=27 September 2016}} In the magazine Novyi Ochevidets, the song "Lemon Tree" was named the main German hit of the 90s.{{cite journal

| title = Новый очевидец, Выпуски 1–10

| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=NDs8AQAAIAAJ&q=fool%27s+garden

| journal = Novyi Ochevidets

|year = 2004| issue = 1–10

| access-date = 30 October 2020

}}

{{Quote box

|quote = — By the way, Peter, how was "Lemon Tree" written? You must have been sitting on a lemon tree...
— No, you will not believe it, but I was sitting in my little room in my hometown, there was a piano in the bedroom, it was another Sunday afternoon, it was raining, I was waiting for my girlfriend, but she still didn’t come...
— You are now quoting the first verse.
— And it was all true. To pass the time, I started tinkling on the piano and humming "I wonder how I wonder why..." And after 15–20 minutes the song was composed by itself.
— The girl came then?
— Nope...

|author = —dialogue between journalists from Chas newspaper and Peter Freudenthaler (1998).{{cite journal

| author = Певнева Е, Сумароков Д.

| date = 1998

| title = Сидя на лимонном дереве

| url = http://www.chas-daily.com/win/1998/05/19/g_71.html

| journal = Chas

| volume =

| issue = 115

| issn =

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130819020753/http://www.chas-daily.com/win/1998/05/19/g_71.html

| access-date = 2020-10-30

| archive-date = 2013-08-19

}}

|source =

|width = 95%

|align = center

}}

In December 1995, Freudenthaler's first daughter was born. On the day of birth, the band's fans came to the musician's house and sang the song "Lemon Tree" under his window.{{cite news|url=http://www.faz.net/aktuell/gesellschaft/one-hit-wonder-fools-garden-und-lemon-tree-mensch-dieses-lied-12849478.html|title=One-Hit-Wonder Fools Garden und "Lemon Tree": Mensch, dieses Lied!|author=Mona Jaeger|newspaper=Faz.net |date=18 March 2014|publisher=Frankfurter Allgemeine|language=de|access-date=17 October 2016}}

The song "Lemon Tree" became a hit shortly before the start of the final exams at the University of Stuttgart. To fully devote time to music, Freudenthaler had to drop out of the university. Although, according to his words, already from the second semester of education, his studies faded into the background, since even then he began to dedicate most of his time to playing in a group.{{cite web|url=http://www.jesus.de/blickpunkt/detailansicht/ansicht/fools-garden-gruender-peter-freudenthaler-im-interview168851.html|title="Ein religiöser Mensch": 'Fools Garden'-Gründer Peter Freudenthaler im Interview|publisher=jesus.de|language=de|access-date=16 October 2016|date=9 July 2010|author=Henrike Fischer, Christine Winkler}} The income from his musical activity was sufficient so that in 1996 Peter could quit his regular job and become a professional musician.{{cite web|url=https://www.pz-news.de/kultur_artikel,-Fools-Garden-Saenger-Peter-Freudenthaler-kann-gut-von-Tantiemen-leben-_arid,1483105.html|title="Fools Garden"-Sänger Peter Freudenthaler kann gut von Tantiemen leben|language=de|publisher=Pforzheimer Zeitung|date=29 September 2020|author=Anke Baumgärtel|access-date=17 November 2020}} In one of his interviews Peter told that one of the first purchases with the money received from the sales of Dish of the Day and "Lemon Tree" was a Mercedes-Benz W210 for 50,000 DM.{{cite web|url=https://www.bild.de/unterhaltung/musik/musik/fools-garden-saenger-kann-bis-heute-gut-von-lemon-tree-leben-73122020.bild.html|title="LEMON TREE"-SÄNGER Ich kann bis heute gut von Tantiemen leben|publisher=Bild|language=de|author=Dirk Steinbach|date=1 October 2020|access-date=8 November 2020}} The Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen TV channel claims that Freudenthaler receives 50,000 euros annually in royalties.{{cite web|url=https://www.zdf.de/verbraucher/wiso/reden-ueber-geld-mit-peter-freudenthaler-fools-garden-lemon-tree-100.html|title=Reden über Geld: Peter Freudenthaler|publisher=Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen|language=de|author=Claus U. Eckert|date=12 November 2018|access-date=28 November 2019}}

Following the commercial success of "Lemon Tree" and Dish of the Day, Peter Freudenthaler embarked on a worldwide concert tour with Fool's Garden, playing over 100 shows around the world.{{cite web|url=https://www.stuttgarter-nachrichten.de/inhalt.weil-der-stadt-fools-garden-einmal-superstar-und-zurueck.2ae3793e-05f2-451d-a027-b3618df51b0a.html|title=Fools Garden: Einmal Superstar und zurück|publisher=Stuttgarter Nachrichten|language=de|date=6 February 2016|access-date=11 November 2019|author=Rafael Binkowski}} However, the band could not repeat the success of their only hit. In an interview for the Bild newspaper, the musician admitted that he was "almost happy" that Fool's Garden did not achieve repeated success, as he had to spend a very long time on tours away from his family. According to him, this allowed him to concentrate on the really important things, for example, he was able to see how his children grew up.

In 2003, Freudenthaler recorded backing vocals for the song "74 Minutes" by the German synth-pop band Camouflage, which was released on the album Sensor.{{Discogs release|id=7467387|name=Camouflage – Sensor}} Volker Hinkel also contributed guitar parts to the other two songs on the album.

{{quote box

| title = Peter Freudenthaler on cooperation with Edipov Kompleks

| quote = I didn't know the guys were going to play my songs "Lemon Tree" and "Probably". I thought we would only sing two songs of Edipov Kompleks together. It was an amazing surprise. It felt like my guitarist was playing along with me.

| source = —from an interview for Russkoye Radio

| width = 27%

| align = right

}}

In 2006, in Moscow, Peter Freudenthaler became a special guest at the presentation of the album Lost & Found by the Russian rock group Edipov Kompleks ({{langx|ru|link=no|Эдипов Комплекс}}, in English: Oedipus Complex). He also took part in the recording of the songs "All That I Can See" and "Smile" from this album.{{cite web|url=https://rusradio.ru/news/radio/edipov-kompleks-spelsia-s-fools-garden|title="Эдипов Комплекс" спелся с "Fool's Garden"|publisher=Russkoye Radio|language=ru|access-date=28 November 2019}} Also at the presentation, Peter and Edipov Kompleks performed Fool's Garden songs "Lemon Tree" and "Probably". Also in 2006, Freudenthaler recorded vocals for the song "Didgeridoo" from the album The Big Flow of German musician Helmut Hattler.{{Discogs release|id=1386499|name=Hattler – The Big Flow}} Freudenthaler met Hattler in 1995 at a concert, and Hattler had also participated in recording bass guitar parts for songs from the album 25 Miles to Kissimmee.{{cite web|url=http://closer2foolsgardenfanclub.com/en/967-2/peter-freudenthaler/|title=Peter Freudenthaler|publisher=Fools Garden Fanclub|language=en|access-date=25 November 2019}}

In 2015, Peter took part in the charity bike race Lila Logistik Charity Bike Cup, the funds from which were sent to the treatment of disabled children, as well as to support children from socially disadvantaged groups.{{cite web|url=https://www.marbacher-zeitung.de/inhalt.marbach-sporttag-der-in-die-geschichte-eingeht.74c67b22-0d78-4b13-a5d3-32d30a51e394.html|title=Sporttag, der in die Geschichte eingeht|publisher=Marbacher Zeitung|language=de|access-date=14 November 2020|date=19 September 2015|author=Sandra Brock}}

In 2016, Freudenthaler participated in the international expert jury in the Lithuanian national selection for the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest.{{cite web|url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=lithuanian_marathon_starts_tonight|title=First results in Lithuania|publisher=eurovision.tv|language=en|access-date=16 October 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.15min.lt/zmones/naujiena/eurovizija/lietuviai-eurovizijoje/paaiskejo-kas-tapo-eurovizijos-atrankos-komisijos-nariais-tarp-ju-ir-fools-garden-lyderis-124-563451|title=Paaiškėjo, kas tapo "Eurovizijos" atrankos komisijos nariais, tarp jų – ir "Fools Garden" lyderis|publisher=15min.lt|language=lt|date=5 January 2016|access-date=16 October 2016}} The following year, Peter Freudenthaler was invited to take part in the recording of the song "Goldstadtsong" dedicated to his hometown of Pforzheim, as well as in the filming of a video clip for this song.{{cite web|url=https://www.pz-news.de/kultur_artikel,-Endlich-ist-er-fertig-Goldstadtsong-feiert-Premiere-_arid,1169709.html|title=Endlich ist er fertig: Goldstadtsong feiert Premiere|publisher=Pforzheimer Zeitung|language=de|access-date=14 November 2020|date=9 June 2017|author=Sandra Pfäfflin}}{{cite web|url=https://www.pz-news.de/videogalerie_artikel,-Endlich-ist-er-fertig-Goldstadtsong-feiert-Premiere-_video,-Kuenstler-fiebern-Goldstadtsong-entgegen-_arid,1169709_prevlinkid,2638_videoid,11154.html|title=Künstler fiebern Goldstadtsong entgegen|publisher=Pforzheimer Zeitung|language=de|access-date=14 November 2020|date=9 June 2017}}

In 2018, the musician took part in the recording of the sixteenth studio album Zwischen den Welten of the German pop rock band Pur.{{cite web|url=https://www.schlagerplanet.com/news/tv-video/videopremieren/pur-neues-album-2018-neue-single-ab-jetzt-11989.html|title=PUR: Neues Album 2018 – Single "Zu Ende träumen" ab jetzt|publisher=Schlager Planet|language=de|access-date=26 November 2019|date=22 June 2018|author=Richard Strobl}} It had stayed for 34 weeks on the German Albums Chart, reaching No. 2, and also charted in Austria and Switzerland.{{cite web|url=https://austriancharts.at/showitem.asp?interpret=Pur&titel=Zwischen+den+Welten&cat=a|title=Pur — Zwischen den Welten|language=de|publisher=Hung Medien|access-date=29 November 2019}} In October, Peter was invited to the Smash Hits music show dedicated to Germany's most famous music performers in the 1990s, as a member of Fool's Garden.{{cite web|url=https://www.wunschliste.de/tvnews/m/smash-hits-markus-kavkas-musikshow-kehrt-anfang-november-zurueck|title="Smash Hits": Markus Kavkas Musikshow kehrt Anfang November Zurueck|language=de|publisher=Wunschliste|date=2 October 2018|access-date=29 November 2019}} In December of the same year, Freudenthaler was included in the jury of the best Christmas song of 2018 competition organized by SWR1.{{cite web|url=https://www.blick-aktuell.de/Berichte/Joanna-Gypseraus-Waldorf-steht-im-Finale-363741.html|title=Wird die Sängerin den SWR1 Weihnachtssong Contest 2018 gewinnen? Joanna Gypser aus Waldorf steht im Finale|language=de|publisher=Blick Aktuell|date=7 December 2018|access-date=29 November 2019}} Also on 5 December, the International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development, Peter Freudenthaler took over the leadership of a major charity event in Stuttgart.{{cite web|url=https://www.stuttgarter-nachrichten.de/inhalt.ehrenamt-jugend-tut-gutes.bccdd834-a42e-4fd6-ae9b-68b3cab5f975.html|title=Jugend tut Gutes|language=de|publisher=Stuttgarter Nachrichten|date=6 December 2018|access-date=29 November 2019}}

On 23 March 2019, Freudenthaler, together with Harry Klenck, the vocalist and guitarist of the German band You, performed in Knittlingen.{{cite web|url=https://www.pz-news.de/kultur_artikel,-Peter-Freudenthaler-und-Harry-Klenk-sorgen-in-Knittlingen-fuer-Stimmung-_arid,1285714.html|title=Peter Freudenthaler und Harry Klenk sorgen in Knittlingen für Stimmung|publisher=Pforzheimer Zeitung|language=de|access-date=14 November 2020|date=25 March 2019|author=Gerd Lache}} The duo presented both the songs of Fool's Garden and You, as well as other famous songs of various performers over the past 40 years.{{cite web|url=https://www.pz-news.de/startseite_artikel,-Musikstars-im-Duett-Gemeinsamer-Auftritt-von-Peter-Freudenthaler-und-Harry-Klenk-_arid,1282421.html|title=Musikstars im Duett: Gemeinsamer Auftritt von Peter Freudenthaler und Harry Klenk|publisher=Pforzheimer Zeitung|language=de|access-date=29 November 2019|date=7 March 2019|author=Gerd Lache}} In the same year, the musician once again took part in the Lila Logistik Charity Bike Cup.{{cite web|url=https://www.pz-news.de/startseite_artikel,-Promis-der-Region-setzen-sich-beim-13-Lila-Logistik-Charity-Bike-Cup-fuer-kranke-Kinder-ein-_arid,1307578.html|title=Promis der Region setzen sich beim 13. Lila Logistik Charity Bike Cup für kranke Kinder ein|publisher=Pforzheimer Zeitung|language=de|access-date=29 November 2019|date=24 July 2019|author=Laura Cichecki}} In the summer of 2019, Peter participated in writing the lyrics for the new album of the Georgian-German singer Natia Todua,{{cite web|url=https://bnn.de/lokales/bruchsal/was-macht-eigentlich-the-voice-natia-todua|title=Was macht eigentlich "The-Voice" Natia Todua?|publisher=Badische Neueste Nachrichten|language=de|access-date=29 November 2019|date=9 July 2019|author=Armin Herberger}} and also recorded backing vocals for the album Aus Der Zeit Gefallen of the German singer Stefan Waggershausen.{{cite web|url=https://www.rtl.de/cms/stefan-waggershausen-ich-bin-rundum-gluecklich-und-zufrieden-4370205.html|title=Stefan Waggershausen: "Ich bin rundum glücklich und zufrieden"|publisher=RTL Television|language=de|access-date=29 November 2019|date=11 July 2019|work=RTL Group}} In November Freudenthaler took part in the "Udopium Orchester" concert in Lauda-Königshofen with such German performers as Johanna Stevens Schwarzwald, Anke Dinkel and Danny McCoy.{{cite web|url=https://www.fnweb.de/fraenkische-nachrichten_artikel,-lauda-koenigshofen-udopium-fuers-volk-_arid,1544618.html|title=Udopium fürs Volk|publisher=fnweb.de|language=de|access-date=29 November 2019|date=30 October 2019|work=Fränkische Nachrichten}} In the same year, Peter performed at a concert in memory of Edo Zanki, who is called "the godfather of German soul".{{cite web|url=https://bnn.de/karlsruhe/karlsdorf-nimmt-mit-grossem-konzert-abschied-von-edo-zanki|title=Karlsdorf nimmt mit großem Konzert Abschied von Edo Zanki|publisher=Badische Neueste Nachrichten|language=de|access-date=29 November 2019|date=3 October 2019|author=Freier Mitarbeiter}} Two years earlier, the singer took part in the recording of his album Playing For Hope.{{cite web|url=https://www.rnz.de/nachrichten/sinsheim_artikel,-the-voice-of-germany-stefanie-nerpel-auf-dem-vorlaeufigen-karrierehoehepunkt-_arid,316695.html|title="The Voice of Germany" Stefanie Nerpel auf dem vorläufigen Karrierehöhepunkt|publisher=Rhein-Neckar-Zeitung|language=de|access-date=29 November 2019|date=16 November 2017|author=Hans-Joachim Of}}

Also in April 2019, Peter Freudenthaler was invited in the filming of a short documentary about spinal diseases and the thematical discussion at the Congress Centrum Pforzheim in front of 400 listeners.{{cite web|url=https://www.pz-news.de/pforzheim_artikel,-Schmerz-und-Praevention-Begeisterte-Zuhoerer-bei-Sprechstunde-im-CCP-von-AOK-und-PZ-_arid,1287488.html|title=Schmerz und Prävention: Begeisterte Zuhörer bei "Sprechstunde im CCP" von AOK und PZ|publisher=Pforzheimer Zeitung|language=de|access-date=29 November 2019|date=3 April 2019|author=Nicola Arnet}} Eight years earlier, the musician himself had suffered a herniated disc, but thanks to proper physical therapy and prolonged exercise, the problem was brought under control.

On 10 April 2020, the musician was invited to the musical TV program "NTV's Homestead at Margulis" ({{langx|ru|link=no|Квартирник НТВ у Маргулиса}}) together with the Russian rock group Zodchie ({{langx|ru|link=no|Зодчие}}, in English: Architects).{{cite web|url=https://www.ntv.ru/novosti/2320342/|title="Зодчие" и Петер Фройденталер — в пятницу на "Квартирнике НТВ у Маргулиса"|publisher=NTV|date=9 April 2020|language=ru|access-date=14 November 2020}} Freudenthaler sang the song "Lemon Tree", and the frontman of Zodchie Yuri Davydov shared with the audience the story of his acquaintance with Freudenthaler. On 26 April, Peter took part in the "THANKS TO DOCTORS" marathon organized by the Komsomolskaya Pravda radio with the invitation of many Russian and foreign popular performers. The marathon was held as a support and expression of gratitude to doctors fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web|url=https://www.samara.kp.ru/radio/27122.5/4206223/|title=Марафон благодарности врачам: Питер Фройденталер, один из основателей поп-рок-группы "Fool's Garden"|publisher=Комсомольская правда|language=ru|date=26 April 2020|access-date=14 November 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.vedomosti.ru/press_releases/2020/04/27/kompanii-kapital-life-i-kapital-meditsinskoe-strahovanie-podderzhali-vserossiiskii-rok-marafon-spasibo-vracham|title=Компании КАПИТАЛ LIFE и "Капитал Медицинское Страхование" поддержали всероссийский рок-марафон "СПАСИБО ВРАЧАМ"|publisher=Ведомости|language=ru|access-date=14 November 2020|date=27 April 2020}}

Peter Freudenthaler has two daughters and a son.{{cite web|url=https://musicheadquarter.de/2018/04/17/fools-garden-rise-and-fall/|title=Fools Garden: Vom Aufstieg und Fall einer weltbekannten Popband?|publisher=Musicheadquarter.de|date=17 April 2018|language=de|access-date=25 December 2018}} At the same time, as of 2005, he was not officially married: in one of the interviews, the musician said that his first daughter was an unplanned child, and, according to him, the obligation to marry after the birth of the child was stupid. Freudenthaler lived in a cohabitation, which suited his partner and their daughters.{{cite web|url=http://www.gerwintrifft.de/de/interview.php?id=190|title=Fools Garden, die "Beatles" aus Baden-Württemberg|publisher=Gerwin Trifft|language=de|author=Hanno Gerwin|access-date=28 November 2019}} As of 2018, Peter and his wife are officially married. According to the website InTouch.de, Freudenthaler manages to combine a musical career and family. As an example, the video for the song "Save the World Tomorrow" was filmed right at his house in Pforzheim.

Peter Freudenthaler has dedicated songs to each of his children. In particular, Peter dedicated the song "Nothing" from the album Go and Ask Peggy for the Principal Thing to his youngest daughter,{{cite web|url=https://www.wetterauer-zeitung.de/wetterau/bad-vilbel-ort112595/fools-garden-koennen-auch-unplugged-12084572.html|title=Fools Garden können es auch unplugged|publisher=Wetterauer Zeitung|language=de|date=21 April 2011|access-date=30 November 2019}} and the song "All We Are" from the album Rise and Fall was dedicated to his son. The musician has also dedicated the song "Water" from the album Who Is Jo King? to his late father.{{cite web|url=http://www.wildwechsel.de/fools-garden-who-is-jo-king/|title=Fools Garden — Who is Jo King?|publisher=wildwechsel.de|author=Heinz Koeppen.|language=de|date=2 October 2012|access-date=30 November 2019}}

{{quote box

| title =

| quote = I have learned so much in my life, know about chemistry, history, religion, music, but still have the same questions as I had as a child, but often feel further removed from the answers than before. You always have to be flexible, always find other ways and explanatory models. Maybe we don't need any explanatory models at all, but should enjoy life in its beauty and not question everything, but consciously walk through the world. Then you can feel this divine world simply.

| source = —Interview for Hanno Gerwin.

| width = 27%

| align = right

}}

Peter Freudenthaler professes Protestantism, despite the fact that he was brought up in a Catholic town. As a child, the musician was very impressed with the local pastor, attended Catholic events and was even going to convert to Catholicism. According to the singer's words, "there must be something that a person cannot understand rationally". Concerning the church, the musician believes that its existence is of great importance, but the church as an institution often does not reach people and is in many ways difficult for people to feel comfortable in it. Concerning God, Freudenthaler said that for him God is "what surrounds him, which he cannot understand, but which he finds incredibly beautiful". The musician does not support the concept that there is a personified God who lives in Heaven and protects people. He also stated that the conception of God helps children to answer many questions about their origin and life.

In an interview with Jesus.de, Freudenthaler also commented that he always thought it silly when people who do not attend church for an entire year celebrate Christmas and Easter.

Peter Freudenthaler is a supporter of anti-fascism and the "Pforzheim nazifrei" alliance,{{cite web|url=https://muehlacker-tagblatt.de/nachbarregionen/pforzheim/bleibt-standhaft-leute-steht-auf/|title=Bleibt standhaft, Leute, steht auf!|publisher=Mühlacker Tagblatt|language=de|access-date=30 November 2019|date=23 November 2019}} which prevents the spread of the influence of the ultranationalist party "The Right – Party for Referendum, Sovereignty and Defense of the Homeland" ({{langx|de|link=no|Die Rechte – Partei für Volksabstimmung, Souveränität und Heimatschutz}}).{{cite web|url=https://www.pz-news.de/pforzheim_artikel,-Lindenberg-Co-Diese-5-Promis-unterstuetzen-Buendnis-Pforzheim-nazifrei-und-einer-schickt-eine-_arid,1294100.html|title=Lindenberg & Co.: Diese 5 Promis unterstützen Bündnis "Pforzheim nazifrei" – und einer schickt eine Videobotschaft|publisher=Pforzheimer Zeitung|language=de|access-date=30 November 2019|date=10 May 2019}} He took part in a concert against the politics of this party in February 2019 at the Osterfeld House of Culture in Pforzheim.{{cite web|url=https://www.pz-news.de/kultur_artikel,-Deutliche-Worte-beim-Konzert-gegen-Rechts-im-Kulturhaus-Osterfeld-_arid,1278665.html|title=Deutliche Worte beim Konzert gegen Rechts im Kulturhaus Osterfeld|publisher=Pforzheimer Zeitung|language=de|access-date=30 November 2019|date=14 February 2019|author=Robin Daniel Frommer}} Nevertheless, Freudenthaler is in favor of a democratic dialogue with those who support the political course of "The Right". In his opinion, the main task of the concert in Osterfeld was to draw attention to his "great country".{{cite web|url=https://www.pz-news.de/kultur_artikel,-Bunte-Toene-gegen-Rechtsextremismus-Kulturhaus-Osterfeld-plant-Konzert-mit-Musikern-aus-der-Region-_arid,1270296.html|title=Bunte Töne gegen Rechtsextremismus: Kulturhaus Osterfeld plant Konzert mit Musikern aus der Region|publisher=Pforzheimer Zeitung|language=de|access-date=30 November 2019|date=28 December 2018|author=Michael Müller|quote=Er wolle ein Bewusstsein schaffen, für „das tolle Land, in dem wir leben – weil es Tendenzen gibt, das Wesentliche zu vergessen, das wir in Händen halten“}}

{{reflist}}

• {{cite book

|last=Русаков

|first=Александр

|date=2012

|title=Кто есть кто, или МУЗПРОСВЕТ в глобальной современной популярной музыке

|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=e4cVAgAAQBAJ&q=fools+garden&pg=PA282

|location=

|publisher=Fluid FreeFly

|page=

|isbn=9785905720369

|language = ru

}}

• {{Discogs artist|id=477815|name=Peter Freudenthaler}}
• [http://www.foolsgarden.de/fg/ Official website of Fools Garden]

{{Fool's Garden}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Freudenthaler, Peter}}

Category:Living people

Category:1963 births

Category:German rock musicians

Category:German male singer-songwriters

Category:German singer-songwriters

Category:German pop singers

Category:German Christians

Category:German Protestants

Category:English-language singers from Germany

Category:Stuttgart Media University alumni