Howard Carpendale

Born in Durban, South Africa on January 14, 1946, Howard Victor Carpendale rose to prominence as one of the foremost figures in German pop throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Affectionately known as Howie, he was performing as an Elvis impersonator when he first crossed into Europe during 1966 and took up residence in the United Kingdom. A contract with Electrola Records brought him to Germany three years later, where a cover of the Beatles’ “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” placed him on the national pop charts almost immediately. Momentum proved fleeting, however, and his association with the label ended by the start of the 1970s.

Thereafter he concentrated on original songs, frequently partnering with guitarist Joachim Horn. The strategy restored his visibility, yielding repeated chart entries across the following two decades while his concerts steadily enlarged his domestic audience. In 2003 he stepped away from recording and live work to pursue acting, yet the break lasted only until 2007, when a new album and a string of sold-out shows signaled his return. Capitalizing on that revival, the 2009 release Stark climbed to number two on the German charts. Further success followed with Das Alles Bin Ich in 2011 and Viel Zu Lang Gewartet two years later.