Till Lindemann

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Till Lindemann

| image = File:Till Lindemann - 2017287140953 2017-10-14 Buchmesse.jpg

| image_size =

| caption = Lindemann in 2017

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1963|01|04}}

| birth_place = Leipzig, East Germany

| origin = Schwerin, Germany

| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter|poet|actor}}

| genre = {{hlist|Neue Deutsche Härte|industrial metal}}

| years_active = 1986–present

| current_member_of = {{hlist|Rammstein|Lindemann}}

| past_member_of = First Arsch

| module = {{Infobox person

| embed = yes

| father = Werner Lindemann

}}

Till Lindemann ({{IPA|de|tɪl ˈlɪndəman}}; born 4 January 1963) is a German singer and songwriter. He is the lead vocalist and lyricist of Neue Deutsche Härte band Rammstein and solo project Lindemann. Rammstein has sold over 25 million records worldwide, with five of their albums receiving platinum status, and Lindemann has been listed among the "50 Greatest Metal Frontmen of All Time" by Roadrunner Records. Lindemann has also appeared in minor roles in films and has published three books of poetry. He has presented some of his original poems and scripts to galleries.

Early life

Lindemann was born on 4 January 1963 in Leipzig (then in East Germany),{{cite news|url= https://www.upi.com/Top_News/2019/01/04/UPI-Almanac-for-Friday-Jan-4-2019/5471546221584/|title=UPI Almanac for Friday, Jan. 4, 2019|work=United Press International|date=4 January 2019|access-date=4 September 2019|archive-date=5 January 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190105012355/http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2019/01/04/UPI-Almanac-for-Friday-Jan-4-2019/5471546221584/|url-status=live|quote= singer Till Lindemann (Rammstein) in 1963 (age 56)}} the son of Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR) journalist Brigitte Hildegard "Gitta" Lindemann and poet Werner Lindemann. His parents first met at a conference in Bitterfeld in 1959.Irgendein Neuerdings Mike Oldfield – ein Vater – Sohn Geschichte (RF radio play) 2011 He grew up in Wendisch-Rambow alongside his younger sister, Saskia.{{cite book|last1=Bettendorf|first1=Michele|title=Ursprung Punkszene, oder: "Rammstein hätte es im Westen nie gegeben"|date=2002|publisher=Book on Demand|isbn=978-3831144938|edition=1st|page=116|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AepFc2TUUyAC&pg=PA116|access-date=29 October 2014|language=de}}{{cite web|last1=Adrienne Didur|first1=Cheryl|title=Till Lindemann's Childhood and School Days|url=http://tilllindemann.com/childhood/|publisher=TillLindemann.com|access-date=28 October 2014|date=2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028151321/http://tilllindemann.com/childhood/|archive-date=28 October 2014|url-status=dead}} 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. His parents lived separately for career reasons after 1975, and divorced when Lindemann was still young.{{cite news|last1=Pilz|first1=Michael|title=Rammstein erfolgreichste Lyriker sind Deutschlands|url=https://www.welt.de/print-welt/article343064/Rammstein-sind-Deutschlands-erfolgreichste-Lyriker.html|access-date=1 November 2014|work=Die Welt|date=28 September 2004}} He lived with his father for a short time, but the relationship was unhealthy; in the book Mike Oldfield im Schaukelstuhl, his father wrote about his own problems with alcoholism and the difficulties of being a father to a teenage Lindemann.{{cite book|last1=Lindemann|first1=Werner|title=Mike Oldfield im Schaukelstuhl: Notizen eines Vaters|date=1988 |publisher=Ingo Koch Verlag|language=de|isbn=978-3938686614|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=a2g3YgEACAAJ|access-date=1 November 2014}}

In 1978, Lindemann participated in the European Junior Swimming Championships in Florence, finishing 11th in the {{nowrap|1500 m}} freestyle and 7th in the {{nowrap|400 m}} freestyle, swimming a time of {{nowrap|4'17"58}}; he was shortlisted to go to the 1980 Olympics in Moscow, but left the sport due to an injury.{{cite news|last1=Haack|first1=Melanie |last2=Dunker|first2=Robert |last3=Schurer|first3=Petra |title=Biedermann und Lindemann über Musik und Sport |url=https://www.welt.de/sport/article5212423/Biedermann-und-Lindemann-ueber-Musik-und-Sport.html |access-date=29 October 2014|work=Die Welt Online|date=21 November 2009|language=de}} According to Lindemann, "I never liked the sport school actually, it was very intense. But as a child you don't object."{{cite web|title=Who the hell are Rammstein?|url=http://rammimages.com/who.html|work=Rammimages.com|access-date=1 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723141042/http://rammimages.com/who.html|archive-date=23 July 2011|year=2006}} He later worked as an apprentice carpenter, a gallery technician, a peat cutter, and a basket weaver. His mother dedicated a letter titled Mein Sohn, der Frontmann von Rammstein ("My son, the frontman of Rammstein") to Lindemann in 2009.{{cite web|title=Deluxe Rostock number 3/2009|url=http://www.deluexmagazin.com/inhalte/e-paper/6.pdf|publisher=Rostock Deluxe Magazine|access-date=1 November 2014|date=2009}}{{Dead link|date=March 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The first album he owned was Deep Purple's Stormbringer.{{cite news |title=Sex, schnapps, and German repression: meet Lindemann, the most politically incorrect men in rock |access-date=3 March 2020 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/interviews/sex-schnapps-german-repression-meet-lindemann-politically-incorrect/ |work=Telegraph}}

Career

=Music=

File:Rammstein Engel London.JPG", wearing angel wings fitted with flamethrowers in 2012]]

Lindemann started to play drums for Schwerin-based experimental rock band First Arsch in 1986,Bettendorf, p. 117. who released an album titled Saddle Up in 1992, and played one song ("Lied von der unruhevollen Jugend") with a punk band called Feeling B, which was the former band of Rammstein members Paul Landers, Christoph Schneider and Christian "Flake" Lorenz in 1989. During his time in Feeling B, he played the drums in the band. In the 1990s, Lindemann began to write lyrics. In 1994, the band entered and won a contest in Berlin that allowed them to record a four track demo professionally. When questioned as to why Rammstein was named after the Ramstein air show disaster,Ronald Galenza, Heinz Havemeister: Feeling B. Mix mir einen Drink. – p. 262. Schwarzkopf & Schwarzkopf, Berlin 2002, {{ISBN|3-89602-418-3}} he said he viewed images of the incident on television, and that he and the bandmates wanted to make a musical memorial.{{cite web |title=OOR Interview – Till – October 1997 |url=http://rammimages.com/articles/OORInterviewTillenglishOct97.html |publisher=Rammimages.com |access-date=1 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110709095715/http://rammimages.com/articles/OORInterviewTillenglishOct97.html |archive-date=9 July 2011 |date=2005}}

Lindemann then moved to Berlin. During Rammstein's early years, because of his use of over-the-top pyrotechnics, Lindemann burned his ears, hair and arms.{{cite news |first= David |last=Peisner |title= Rock Stars Who've Caught Fire Onstage! |date=February 2007 |publisher= Blender Magazine Online |url= http://www.blender.com/guide/articles.aspx?ID=2534&src=blender_ed |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081218214031/http://www.blender.com/guide/articles.aspx?ID=2534&src=blender_ed |url-status = dead |archive-date=18 December 2008 |access-date= 15 November 2014 }} 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 than it had previously.{{cite news |last1=Grundke |first1=Vincent |title=Rammstein-Poet Till Lindemann wird heute 51 |url=http://www.ampya.com/news/Aktuell/Rammstein-Poet-Till-Lindemann-wird-heute-51-SN105026/ |access-date=30 October 2014 |work=Ampya |language=de |date=4 January 2014 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140219201004/http://www.ampya.com/news/Aktuell/Rammstein-Poet-Till-Lindemann-wird-heute-51-SN105026/ |archive-date=19 February 2014}}{{cite web |last1=France |first1=Pauline |title=Top 10 Creepiest Moments on Stage |url=http://www2.fender.com/experience/fender-picks/top-10-creepiest-moments-on-stage/ |publisher=Fender Musical Instruments Corporation |access-date=21 September 2016 |date=27 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808082905/http://www2.fender.com/experience/fender-picks/top-10-creepiest-moments-on-stage/ |archive-date=8 August 2017 |url-status=dead}}

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" ("bend over"), which consisted of Lindemann using a liquid squirting dildo and simulating anal sex on Lorenz. Both Lindemann and Lorenz were released the following day after bail was met.{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1433611/rammsteins-act-lands-two-members-jail.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110315220040/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1433611/rammsteins-act-lands-two-members-jail.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 March 2011 |title=Rammstein's Act Lands Two Members in Jail |publisher=MTV |date=7 June 1999 |access-date=22 June 2014}} 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,{{cite news |last1=Northover |first1=Kylie |title=Rammstein get out their phallic cymbals |url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/rammstein-get-out-their-phallic-cymbals-20110113-19oym.html |access-date=16 November 2014 |work=Sydney Morning Herald |date=14 January 2011}} but the United States performances of this song were changed into a sadomasochistic theme that did not feature dildos, although this was not the case for all remaining US shows on the tour. For example, on 18 June 1999, "Bück dich" was performed in the same manner at the Roseland Theater in Portland, Oregon. In 1999, the band was blamed for the 1999 Columbine massacre, but they denied their music was a factor.{{cite news |last=Powers |first=Ann |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/04/25/weekinreview/the-nation-the-stresses-of-youth-the-strains-of-its-music.html |title=The Nation; The Stresses of Youth, The Strains of Its Music |work=The New York Times |date=25 April 2000 |access-date=15 November 2010}}{{cite news |author1=MTV News Staff |title=KMFDM And Rammstein Speak Out About Columbine |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1427256/kmfdm-and-rammstein-speak-out-about-columbine/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20141115092255/http://www.mtv.com/news/1427256/kmfdm-and-rammstein-speak-out-about-columbine/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 November 2014 |access-date=15 November 2014 |work=MTV |date=23 April 1999}}

File:Till-Lindemann.jpg", wearing dual arm-mounted flamethrowers in 2005]]

Lindemann is not a stranger to injury, as he mentioned in Rammstein's early career that he'd gotten burned several times with unprofessionally rigged pyrotechnics. At a performance in Sweden in 2005, he received a knee injury on stage when keyboardist Flake accidentally ran into him while riding a Segway PT.{{cite web |title=Rammstein Cancels Shows in Asia |url=http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=14758 |publisher=Metal Underground |access-date=16 November 2014 |date=1 August 2005}} This injury caused several tour dates in Asia to be cancelled.

In 2005, five Rammstein albums received platinum awards and the band also received the "World Sales Awards" for over 10 million sold copies worldwide.{{cite web |title=History (December 16, 2005) |url=http://www.rammstein.de/en/rammstein |publisher=Rammstein |access-date=15 November 2014 |archive-date=27 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150327020900/http://www.rammstein.de/en/rammstein |url-status=dead }}

During the filming of the band's music video for "Ich tu dir weh", Lindemann wanted a light put in his mouth to create a visually stunning effect. Bandmate Paul Landers suggested that he use a flesh colored wire and run it along his cheek to shine a light into his mouth from the outside. Lindemann refused, and instead opted to have a surgical incision in his left cheek, so that a light could be fed into his mouth directly, and largely out of sight.{{cite web |author1=Sonisphere |title=RAMMSTEIN – Making of Ich Tu Dir Weh |url=http://www.muzu.tv/sonisphere/rammstein-making-of-ich-tu-dir-weh-video/606149/ |publisher=Muzu.tv |access-date=29 October 2014 |archive-date=29 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029074611/http://www.muzu.tv/sonisphere/rammstein-making-of-ich-tu-dir-weh-video/606149/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |title=Rammstein frontman pierced his cheek for new video |url=http://www.thegauntlet.com/article/307/17547/rammstein-frontman-pierced-his-cheek-for-new-video.html |access-date=1 November 2014 |work=The Gauntlet |date=21 December 2009 |archive-date=1 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141101042843/http://www.thegauntlet.com/article/307/17547/rammstein-frontman-pierced-his-cheek-for-new-video.html |url-status=dead }}

There is a specific performance move of Lindemann's, dubbed "The Till Hammer". This move is where he bends his knees, beats his thigh with a fist in a hammering motion while turning his head from side to side. On occasion, Flake has been seen to parody the move onstage. 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.{{cite web |last1=Schmidt |first1=Rainer |title=Rammstein: Exclusive Interview with Till Lindemann and Flake Lorenz |url=http://www.rollingstone.de/magazin/features/article126618/rammstein-exklusives-interview-mit-till-lindemann-und-flake-lorenz.html |publisher=Rolling Stone |access-date=16 November 2014 |date=12 December 2011}}

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. Lindemann often opts to just look directly at the mixing booth in the center of the crowd, except when directly interacting with an audience member. In 2011, Roadrunner Records listed Lindemann at number 50 of the 50 greatest metal frontmen of all time.{{cite web |last1=Rosen |first1=Jeremy |title=The 50 Greatest Metal Frontmen of all Time |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/news/the-50-greatest-metal-front-men-of-all-time |publisher=Roadrunner Records |access-date=29 October 2014|date=2011}}

On his 52nd birthday (4 January 2015), it was announced that Lindemann would start a new project with Peter Tägtgren named Lindemann.{{cite web |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/rammstein-frontman-till-lindemann-joins-forces-with-painhypocrisy-mainman-peter-tagtgren-in-new-project/ |title=Rammstein Frontman Till Lindemann Joins Forces with Pain/Hypocrisy Mainman Peter Tägtgren in New Project |date=4 January 2015 |work=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=4 January 2015}}{{cite news |last1=Childers |first1=Chad |title=Rammstein's Till Lindemann Forms New Project With Peter Tagtgren |url=http://loudwire.com/rammstein-till-lindemann-new-project-peter-tagtgren/ |access-date=2 March 2015 |work=Loudwire |date=5 January 2015}}{{cite news |title=Rammstein's Till Lindemann and Hypocrisy's Peter Tägtgren form new project |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jan/05/rammstein-till-lindemann-hypocrisys-peter-tagtgren-new-project |access-date=2 March 2015|work=The Guardian |date=5 January 2015}} The band released their debut album Skills in Pills in June 2015.{{cite news |title=Details Released For Rammstein Frontman's New Project Lindemann |url=http://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3336585/details-released-rammstein-frontmans-new-project-lindemann/ |access-date=2 March 2015 |work=The Guardian |date=5 January 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.{{Cite web|last=Berlin Music Video Awards|date=7 May 2021|title=Nominees 2020|url=https://www.berlinmva.com/bmva-nominees-2020/|website=www.berlinmva.com}} In 2021, his music video Alle Tage ist kein Sonntag received a nomination for Most Bizarre.{{Cite web|last=Berlin Music Video Awards|date=7 May 2021|title=2021 Nominees|url=https://www.berlinmva.com/2021-nominees-full/|website=www.berlinmva.com|access-date=7 May 2021|archive-date=7 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507074715/https://www.berlinmva.com/2021-nominees-full/|url-status=dead}}

=Poetry=

In November 2002, Lindemann's poetry book Messer was published. It consists of 54 poems compiled by Gert Hof, author of the book Rammstein, who was also the band's pyrodesigner for the last seven years.{{cite web |url= http://www.perlentaucher.de/buch/till-lindemann/messer.html |title=Till Lindemann: Messer. Gedichte und Fotos |work=perlentaucher.de |year=2014 |access-date=22 June 2014}}

In 2013, Lindemann's second poetry book, In stillen Nächten (On Quiet Nights) was published.{{cite news |last1=Schoepfer |first1=L. |title=The Misunderstood |url=http://www.tagesanzeiger.ch/kultur/buecher/Der-Unverstandene/story/19402934 |access-date=16 November 2014 |work=Tages-Anzeiger |date=3 October 2013 |language=de}} He commented on the poetry, saying "The vast majority of my poems could have been written a few hundred years earlier." In 2014, Lindemann presented two sculptures and his original scripts of poems in In stillen Nächten in a Dresden gallery.{{cite news|last1=Bauermeister|first1=Juliane|title=Die bizarre Kunst des Rammstein-Sängers|url=http://www.bild.de/unterhaltung/leute/till-lindemann/die-kunst-des-rammstein-rockers-33845086.bild.html|access-date=29 October 2014|work=Bild.de|date=19 February 2014|language=de}}

In 2018, Lindemann embarked on a book signing tour across Russia for his poetry book, Messer, originally released in German and then translated into Russian and re-released to the Russian market. Lindemann showed up to his book signing in Moscow with an unknown person in a gimp costume. The female gimp was led through the crowd by Lindemann before he sat down to sign autographs and talk to fans.{{cite web | url = https://www.rawmusictv.com/news/2018/Till-Lindemann-Rammstein-turned-up-to-his-book-signing-in-Moscow-with-a-gimp | title = Till Lindemann turned up to a book signing with a gimp | date = 5 December 2018 | access-date = 5 December 2018 }} It is still unknown who was in the outfit, but suggestions are that of his girlfriend at the time.

=Film and television=

File:Till Lindemann P.R.Brown.JPG

Two songs from the album Herzeleid were used in David Lynch's 1997 film, Lost Highway.{{cite web|last1=Ankeny|first1=Jason|title=Allmusic review|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/lost-highway-mw0000082314|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=20 November 2014}} Lindemann has also played minor roles in some films, appearing with his bandmate Christoph Schneider as musicians in the 1999 film Pola X,{{cite web|title=Pola X|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/movie/83326/pola.x|work=The Guardian|date=21 July 2008|access-date=28 October 2014}} playing a character named Viktor in the children's comedy film Amundsen der Pinguin (2003), and also appearing as an animal rights activist in the 2004 film Vinzent. Lindemann and the rest of Rammstein also appeared in the 2002 movie xXx (Triple-X starring Vin Diesel) while performing "Feuer frei!" In July 2010, Lindemann, along with Flake, was interviewed by heavy metal anthropologist Sam Dunn for the VH1 Classic series Metal Evolution, on the topic of shock rock.{{cite web |url=http://www.vh1.com/video/metal-evolution/full-episodes/shock-rock/1677704/playlist.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120126061115/http://www.vh1.com/video/metal-evolution/full-episodes/shock-rock/1677704/playlist.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 January 2012 |title=Shock Rock (Ep. 1-09) Metal Evolution |publisher=VH1.com |date=23 January 2012 |access-date=22 June 2014}}

In 2021, Lindemann performed a Soviet war song Lubimy Gorod ({{langx|ru|link=no|Любимый город}}, Beloved Town) in Russian – originally sung by Mark Bernes in 1939 – for the Russian movie V2. Escape from Hell (Devyatayev).{{Cite web|url=https://www.eltiempo.com/cultura/gente/vocalista-de-rammstein-interpreta-cancion-de-guerra-en-ruso-583273|title=Vocalista de Rammstein interpreta en ruso canción de guerra soviética|date=23 April 2021|website=eltiempo.com}}

=As guest artist=

Lindemann has featured alongside many other artists throughout his career, such as Feeling B, Apocalyptica, and his bandmate Richard Kruspe's solo project, Emigrate. He also wrote some lyrics in 2014 for German Schlager singer Roland Kaiser for his album Soul Tracks.{{cite news|title=Rammstein-Sänger hat Songtext für Roland Kaiser geschrieben|url=http://www.t-online.de/unterhaltung/musik/id_69037960/rammstein-saenger-till-lindemann-schreibt-text-fuer-roland-kaiser.html|access-date=29 October 2014|work=T-Online|date=17 April 2014|language=de}} In 2023, he appeared on Child of Sin by Kovacs.

Musicianship

File:Till Lindemann live.jpg, 2011]]

Lindemann's vocal range is that of a dramatic baritone.{{cite web |url=http://till-lindemann.skynetblogs.be/archive/2007/11/28/english-long-interview-playboy-january-2006.html |title=English long interview (Playboy January 2006): Till Lindemann |publisher=Till-lindemann.skynetblogs.be |date=28 November 2007 |access-date=22 June 2014 |archive-date=21 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021001857/http://till-lindemann.skynetblogs.be/archive/2007/11/28/english-long-interview-playboy-january-2006.html |url-status=dead }}{{cite news|last1=Constable|first1=Burt|title=Rammstein show like Blue Man with flamethrowers|url=http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20110511/news/705119894/|access-date=15 November 2014|work=The Daily Herald|date=11 May 2011}}{{cite news|last1=Pareles|first1=Jon|title=Offering Sturm Galore, Fire and Drang as Well|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/13/arts/music/13rammstein.html|access-date=15 November 2014|work=The New York Times|date=12 December 2010}} He has a tendency to press his voice with force from below and use the alveolar trill, stating in an interview that he sings it out of instinct.{{cite web|title=Music Express interview with Richard and Till|url=http://www.rammsteinniccage.com/media/interviews/musikexpressjul97ge.html|publisher=Music Express|access-date=15 November 2014|date=July 1997|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225210427/http://www.rammsteinniccage.com/media/interviews/musikexpressjul97ge.html|archive-date=25 December 2014|url-status=dead}}{{Failed verification |date=August 2018}} However, this trait could be connected to his youth years in Mecklenburg.{{cite book|last1=Littlejohn|first1=((edited by John T.))|last2=Putnam|first2=Michael T.|title=Rammstein on fire : new perspectives on the music and performances|date=2013|publisher=McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers|location=Jefferson, North Carolina|isbn=978-0786474639|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fY7qAAAAQBAJ&q=A+Night+With+Till+Lindemann&pg=PA19|page=19|access-date=16 November 2014}} In 2005, the New York Times commented on Lindemann's voice: "He commands a low, powerful bass rarely used in contemporary pop music, untrained but electrifying."{{cite news|last1=Berlinski|first1=Claire|title=Das Jackboot: German Heavy Metal Conquers Europe|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/09/arts/music/09berl.html?pagewanted=print&position=|access-date=15 November 2014|work=The New York Times|date=9 January 2005|location=Berlin}}

Lindemann himself describes his lyrics as "love songs".Bettendorf, p. 99. Some songs written by him have references to 19th century or earlier literature. For example, "Dalai Lama" from the album Reise, Reise is an adaption of Goethe's "Der Erlkönig".Littlejohn, p. 218. He also used more of Goethe's poems, as "Rosenrot" contains elements from the poem "Heidenröslein", while "Feuer und Wasser" has narrative elements from Friedrich Schiller's "Der Taucher".Littlejohn, p. 100. Lindemann also used elements from Der Struwwelpeter by Heinrich Hoffmann on "Hilf mir" from the album Rosenrot.Littlejohn, p. 240. "Mein Herz brennt" has lyrics taken from a narrative line in the East German children's show Das Sandmännchen.{{cite book|last1=Nestingen|first1=Andrew|title=Crime and fantasy in Scandinavia : fiction, film, and social change|date=2008|publisher=University of Washington Press|location=Seattle, Wash.|isbn=978-0295988047|page=101|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=efv5DsjfCgYC&q=sandman&pg=PA101|access-date=20 November 2014}}

Lindemann has used contemporary literature for intertextual references; the song title "Non, je ne regrette rien" was used as a chorus for the song "Frühling in Paris", and the song lyrics of "Links 2-3-4" are based on the song "Einheitsfrontlied" by Bertolt Brecht.Littlejohn, p. 126. According to Lindemann, the lyrics of the song state the band's political category, positioning themselves on the left.{{cite web|url=http://www.laut.de/vorlaut/news/2000/12/14/01319/index.htm |title=Rammstein: Das Herz schlägt links, oder? |publisher=Laut.de |access-date=20 November 2014}} This song is in fact written by Bertolt Brecht and composed by Hanns Eisler in 1934. The full text can be found here: "[http://www.ewo2.de/schlauch-live/texte_07.htm Einheitsfrontlied]" He has also used another song composed by Brecht, titled "Mack the Knife", and the chorus was used for the song "Haifisch".{{Cite web |last=Welle (www.dw.com) |first=Deutsche |title=Rammstein: Just what's in those lyrics? {{!}} DW {{!}} 16 August 2019 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/rammstein-just-whats-in-those-lyrics/a-50055809 |access-date=25 July 2022 |website=DW.COM |language=en-GB}}

The song "Cowboy" is a criticism of the hypermasculine character of Americans. Despite "Hollywood propaganda", Lindemann states that it was actually the cowboys who beat up the Native Americans.{{cite web|title=Till Lindemann Talks Skills In Pills. Rammstein Singer|url=https://maniacsau.tumblr.com/post/122487141125/till-lindemann-talks-skills-in-pills|website=Maniacs|access-date=24 June 2015|date=28 May 2015}}

Personal life

Lindemann has four children. His oldest child, a daughter, Nele, was born in 1985, and he spent the first seven years of her life as a single father. He has one grandson through Nele.{{cite news|title=Rammstein vocalist Till Lindemann admitted that he hates the noise|url=http://ria.ru/culture/20120706/693155177.html|access-date=10 November 2014|work=RIA Novosti|date=6 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130205065442/http://ria.ru/culture/20120706/693155177.html |archive-date=5 February 2013 }}

Lindemann is an atheist.{{cite news|title=SZ: Till Lindemann about desire|url=http://www.rammstein.us/archives/12190 |url-status=dead |access-date=22 June 2016|language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828203138/http://www.rammstein.us/archives/12190|archive-date=28 August 2016}} In a 2011 interview, he said that he still has strong connections to the traditions of East Germany, and that he finds "detraditionalization" disturbing and believes there is "no longer any authenticity". He has said that he "hates noise" and often spends time in a small village somewhere in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the name of which he has not disclosed.

= Misconduct allegation =

In June 2023, a woman alleged that her drink was spiked at a Rammstein concert in Lithuania and that a Russian woman on social media recruited her for sex with Lindemann. After the show, she was brought to a room with Lindemann and refused to have sex with him, as he reacted angrily and left. She emphasised that she was never sexually assaulted, but the story highlighted the band's "Row Zero" practice, where female fans who stood in a restricted area directly in front of the stage would be invited to pre- and after-show parties with Lindemann as potential sex partners.{{Cite news |date=8 June 2023 |title=Rammstein fan Shelby Lynn alleges she was groomed for sex |website=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-65843882 |access-date=8 June 2023}}

Berlin prosecutors opened an investigation into sexual offences and the distribution of narcotics after more women claimed to have been "cast" for sex with Lindemann. Lindemann and the band denied all criminal wrongdoing.{{Cite news |date=15 June 2023 |title=Rammstein: German police open sex offence investigation into Till Lindemann |website=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-65913988 |access-date=15 June 2023}}{{Cite news |last=Oltermann |first=Philip |date=6 June 2023 |title=Singer of German band Rammstein accused of recruiting fans for sex |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/06/german-band-rammstein-accused |access-date=17 December 2023 |issn=0261-3077}} Lindemann's book publisher Kiepenheuer & Witsch dropped him as a client, claiming that a pornographic video he starred in and his 2013 book In Silent Nights celebrated sexual violence.{{Cite web |last=Blum |first=Jordan |date=3 June 2023 |title=Till Lindemann Has Been Dropped by Book Publisher Following Fan Allegations, Rammstein Respond |url=https://loudwire.com/till-lindemann-dropped-by-book-publisher-fan-allegations-rammstein-respond/ |access-date=17 December 2023 |website=Loudwire |language=en}} In August, an anonymous woman spoke to Der Spiegel claiming that she had a sexual relationship with Lindemann beginning in 2011 when she was 15. While she was above the age of consent in Germany, she felt she "was way too young" to understand what happened and it caused her "long-lasting damage".{{cite magazine |last1=von Hof |first1=Elisa |last2=Hoppenstedt |first2=Max |last3=Höfner |first3=Roman |last4=Löffler |first4=Juliane |last5=Müller |first5=Ann-Katrin |last6=Schrader |first6=Hannes |date=4 August 2023 |title=Frau über Verhältnis zu Till Lindemann: "Ich war viel zu jung" |trans-title=Woman about relationship with Till Lindemann: "I was way too young" |url=https://www.spiegel.de/panorama/gesellschaft/till-lindemann-frau-ueber-verhaeltnis-zu-rammstein-frontmann-ich-war-viel-zu-jung-a-801899d9-f9d8-4ff6-965e-3833f2767eee |url-status=live |magazine=Der Spiegel |language=de-DE |archive-url=https://archive.today/4x5Gd |archive-date=4 August 2023 |access-date=4 August 2023 |url-access=subscription}}

On 29 August, the German prosecutors dropped the case, saying that the investigations did not provide any evidence and that they were unable to substantiate allegations as law enforcement agencies had not received direct testimony from the accusers.{{cite news |last1=Beaumont-Thomas |first1=Ben |title=Sexual assault investigation into Rammstein frontman dropped |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/aug/29/sexual-assault-investigation-into-rammstein-frontman-dropped-till-lindemann |access-date=29 August 2023 |work=The Guardian |date=29 August 2023}}

On 15 May 2024, an investigation from the Vilnius police provided new findings that further refuted the accusation. With evidence indicating that the gaps in the woman's memory that she described and injuries she has alleged were due to her own consumption of a wide variety of alcoholic drinks and her use of cannabis.{{Cite web |last=Bergmann |first=Simon |date=15 May 2024 |title=Ermittlungsunterlagen der Polizei in Vilnius (Litauen) liefern neue Erkenntnisse, die den Vorwurf der Nordirin Shelby Lynn, beim Rammstein-Konzert in Vilnius gespiked worden zu sein, weiter entkräften. |url=https://www.presseportal.de/pm/62754/5779803}}

Lindemann filed a criminal complaint against the German publication Der Spiegel. The investigation into the alleged sexual misconduct was dropped in August 2023 - the complaint alleges that the publication's reporting included falsified documents.{{Cite web |title=Rammstein Frontman Sues German Publication Over Alleged Misconduct Reporting|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/till-lindemann-rammstein-responds-sexual-misconduct-allegations-1235748227/|website=billboard.com}}{{Cite web |title=Till Lindemann Sues News Outlet for Potential Forgery + Fraud in Coverage of Sexual Misconduct Allegations|url=https://loudwire.com/till-lindemann-sues-news-outlet-potential-forgery-fraud-coverage-sexual-misconduct-allegations/|website=loudwire.com|date=6 August 2024 }}

Discography

=First Arsch=

Saddle Up (1992){{Cite web|url=https://sonichits.com/video/First_Arsch/O-cult|title = O-cult | First Arsch Lyrics, Song Meanings, Videos, Full Albums & Bios}}{{Cite web|url=https://sonichits.com/video/First_Arsch/Train|title = Train | First Arsch Lyrics, Song Meanings, Videos, Full Albums & Bios}}{{Cite web|url=https://sonichits.com/video/First_Arsch/Saddle_Up|title = Saddle up | First Arsch Lyrics, Song Meanings, Videos, Full Albums & Bios}}

=Rammstein=

File:Till Lindemann Du riechst so gut London.jpg" in 2012]]

Herzeleid (1995)
Sehnsucht (1997)
Mutter (2001)
Reise, Reise (2004)
Rosenrot (2005)
Liebe ist für alle da (2009)
Rammstein (2019)
Zeit (2022)

=Lindemann=

Skills in Pills (2015)
F & M (2019)

=Na Chui=

Till the End (2020)

=Solo=

"Alle Tage ist kein Sonntag" (with David Garrett) (2020)
"Любимый город" (Lubimiy gorod, Beloved Town) (2021), performed in Russian
"Ich hasse Kinder" (2021)
"Entre Dos Tierras" (2023), performed in Spanish, Héroes del Silencio cover
Zunge (2023)
"Entre dos tierras", "Übers Meer (Radio Edit)", "Übers Meer (Remix)", "Meine Welt" (2024)

=As a guest artist=

Lindemann appeared as a guest as drummer on the album Hea Hoa Hoa Hea Hea Hoa by Feeling B for the song "Lied von der unruhevollen Jugend", which is in Russian. The song was played at a Rammstein concert in St. Petersburg on 19 November (2001) during the Mutter tour.
Lindemann provided vocals for the track Helden (a cover version of Bowie's Heroes) on the Apocalyptica album Worlds Collide
Lindemann also sings the song "Wut Will Nicht Sterben" by Puhdys.
Lindemann and Richard Z. Kruspe covered the Aria song Shtil and released it as Schtiel Schtiel (Aria Cover) (2003).
Lindemann has also appeared on Knorkator's music video Du nich.
Lindemann also sings on some songs with Richard Z. Kruspe, the songs Let's Go and Always On My Mind by Emigrate.
In 2019 Lindemann collaborated with German rappers Deichkind, singing on the track 1000 Jahre Bier.
Lindemann also sings a song with Zaz, the song Le Jardin Des Larmes (2021).
Lindemann also appears on the song "Child of Sin" by Kovacs (2023).

Poetry<span class="anchor" id="Poetry 2"></span>

{{cite book |first=Till |last=Lindemann |title=Messer |trans-title=Knife |location=Frankfurt am Main |publisher=Eichborn |year=2002 |isbn=3-8218-0927-2}}
{{cite book |first=Till |last=Lindemann |title=In stillen Nächten |trans-title=In Silent Nights |location=Köln |publisher=Kiepenheuer & Witsch |year=2013 |isbn=978-3462045246 }}
{{cite book |first=Till |last=Lindemann |title=100 Gedichte |trans-title=100 Poems |location=Köln |publisher=Kiepenheuer & Witsch |year=2020 |isbn=978-3462053326 }}

Tours

= Rammstein =

= Lindemann =

Messer Tour (2018){{Cite web |title=Lindemann Tour - RammWiki |url=https://rammwiki.net/wiki/Lindemann_Tour |access-date=2024-08-10 |website=rammwiki.net}}
Lindemann Tour (2020)