TIMELINE
1951
November 1st: Company foundation. One of the first congratulants to the new publishing house is the singer Lale Andersen.
1952 - 1953
First hit at Melodie der Welt: “Es wird ja alles wieder gut” (Lyrics: Helmut Andrae / Horst Heinz Henning)
Johann Michel’s discoveries: The successful authors Karl Götz, Hans Lang and Hans Werner.
f.l.: Johann Michel and Karl Götz
Moving in 1953: Johann Michel moves from Vienna to Frankfurt/Main. Melodie der Welt becomes a full member of GEMA.
Bestsellers: The two authors Hans Lang and Erich Meder write box office hits like "Tango der Nacht" from the movie "Straßenserenade" and "Uno momento Maria".
1954
A musical classic in the field of light music is composed: "Der Mann am Klavier", composed by Horst Heinz Henning, interpreted by Paul Kuhn. Edith Piaf releases the title as "L'homme piano" in France.
Successful film scores:
"La Signora Musica" and "Cuculino" from the music film "Gitarren der Liebe", written by Willy Mattes and Walter Brandin, sung by Vico Torriani.
"Geht eine Frau alleine aus", texted by Bruno Balz and sung by Sonja Ziemann from the movie "Die 7 Kleider der Katrin".
Hans Martin Majewski writes the music for "Das fliegende Klassenzimmer" by Erich Kästner.
1955
The year of Vico Torriani: The Swiss entertainer brings great success to Melodie der Welt, i.a. with "Die Bar von Johnny Miller" from the movie "Ein Herz voll Musik", "Zwei Spuren im Schnee", „Du bist schön wie Musik“ und „Schau nur zu den Sternen“ (written by the authors Heino Gaze and Bruno Balz).
Film music boom:
"Pia Maria" (Hans Lang / Peter Herz) from the movie „Die Wirtin zur Goldenen Krone“.
„Drei Männer im Schnee“ with Margarethe Haagen, Nicole Heesters and Paul Dahlke. The music is composed by Alexander von Slatina.
Start of the successful "Immenhof" trilogy with the movie "Die Mädels vom Immenhof". The music is provided by Norbert Schultze. 1956 follows„Hochzeit auf Immenhof”, a year later the third part called „Ferien auf Immenhof“ is shown in the cinemas. The music for both films is composed by Hans Martin Majewski.
1956 - 1957
Top Ten of the Charts in 1956: Melodie der Welt places „Seemann, wo ist Deine Heimat“ (Karl Götz / Heinz Schumacher), sung by the siblings Hofmann.
New trend in the hit industry: Germanized versions of international titles, such as "Gambler’s Guitar" by Jim Lowe, with the title “Der lachende Vagabund” (German lyrics: Peter Moesser), sung - and laughed - by Fred Bertelmann.
1958
Karl Götz composes successful title: „Ich bin ja nur ein Troubadour“ (together with Walter Brandin), sung by Fred Bertelmann, reaches number six in the hit parade, as well as “Endlos sind die Straßen“ (together with Heinz Heinzelmann), sung by the Teddies. All songs are only released on vinyl records, the fragile shellac records are no longer produced.
Purchase of the Viennese Edition Scala: With this acquisition, Johann Michel can secure the rights of „In einer kleinen Konditorei" (Fred Raymond / Ernst Neubach).
In 1957 Frankfurt has a huge scandal. The well-known high-class prostitute Rosemarie Nitribitt is murdered. The case has not yet been resolved. A year later, this story serves as the inspiration for one of the most controversial but also most successful movies of the time, "The Girl Rosemarie", with Nadja Tiller in the lead role. The film music is composed by Norbert Schultze, the often satirical lyrics are written by Bruno Balz, Jo Herbst and Rolf Ullrich.
1959
International cooperation: Johann Michel acquires "Yes Sir, That's My Baby" (Walter Donaldson/Gus Kahn) from New York based publisher Bourne Co. This lays the foundations for one of the longest and most successful collaborations of Melodie der Welt, with sub - publishing rights among others on "Gone With The Wind", "Me And My Shadow", "When You Wish Upon A Star" (from the Walt Disney movie "Pinocchio"), "AII Of Me", "Bye Bye Blues" and Charlie Chaplin Melodies as "Smile" (from the movie "Modern Times"), "Limelight" from the eponymous film and "Some Day My Prince Will Come", "Whistle While You Work" and "Heigh-Ho, Heigh-Ho" (from the Walt Disney film "Snow White").
Beginning of a friendship and collaboration: Johann Michel makes the acquaintance of Ernst Neger, the "singing roofing master" of the carnival of Mainz, and Toni Hämmerle, composer and lyricist of carnival-songs.
f.l.: Toni Hämmerle and Ernst Neger
1960 - 1961
Evergreen: Kurt Adolf Thelen interprets „lch hab' den Vater Rhein in seinem Bett geseh'n“ (Toni Steingass / Heinz Korn).
Legendary comeback: After rather quiet years Gerhard Wendland gains the biggest success of the year with the title „Tanze mit mir in den Morgen (Mitternachtstango)“. At the German Schlager Festival in Baden-Baden in 1961, Karl Götz and Kurt Hertha are honored with the highest author award, the "Golden Sparrow". For over one million singles sold in Germany, the authors and Melodie der Welt receive a Golden Record from the record company. Not only in Germany, but also in many European countries and even in the US, local versions of “Dance With Me In The Morning” are published.
f.l.: Kurt Hertha, Johann Michel, Gerhard Wendland, Ernst Verch, Karl Götz, Heinz Alisch
Constant success: Vico Torriani is represented twice in the top 50 charts, with „Bon Soir, Herr Kommissar“ (Fritz Schulz-Reichel / Hans Bradtke) and „Lebe wohl kleine Frau“ (Walter Jäger / Ernst Nebhut).
1962 - 1963
Hit of the year 1962: „Schläfst Du schon“ (Karl Götz / Kurt Hertha), sung by Gerhard Wendland, reaches the third place in May and at the end of the year ranks 15th of the annual charts.
Hits of the year 1963: "I Prefer to Buy a Tyrolean Hat" (Charly Niessen / Franz Rüger), Billy Mos' success of the year 1962, flowers only one year later: Third place in the annual charts.
f.l.: Charly Niessen and Johann Michel
Ernst Neger creates a good mood during carnival festival with the carnival hit „Humbta Tätära“ (Toni Hämmerle), whose Dutch cover version reaches gold status in the same year.
With the piece „Eins und eins das macht zwei“ (Charly Niessen) from the feature film "Das große Liebesspiel", the actress and lyricist Hildegard Knef (outside of Germany known as Hildegarde Neff) establishes herself also as a chanson singer. In the leading roles are Hildegard Knef, Lili Palmer and Peter van Eyck.
The publishing house of Michael Jary, founded in 1948, is administered by Melodie der Welt from 1963 onwards: This includes his successful film scores and hits, such as "The Legs of Dolores" and „Heut’ liegt was in der Luft“. These songs and many others are among the standard works of popular music. Performers such as Zarah Leander, Evelyn Künneke, Lale Andersen, Gerhard Wendland, Heinz Rühmann and Hans Albers sang his songs. In 1960 Jary composed the song „Wir wollen niemals auseinandergehn“ (Michael Jary / Bruno Balz / Gloria de Voss) for Heidi Brühl for the German preliminary of the Grand Prix d’Eurovision de la chanson (Eurovision Song Contest). Heidi Brühl lands a number one hit and gains seventh place in the annual bestseller charts.
1964
Dream couple of the year: The figure skating couple Marika Kilius and Hans-Jürgen Bäumler get on the microphone, sometimes alone, sometimes in a duet, but definitely successful. A stroke of luck for Melodie der Welt, because the Kilius numbers „lch bin kein Eskimo“, "Kavalier, Kavalier" and „Wenn die Cowboys träumen“, the duet "Honeymoon in St. Tropez", all written by Karl Götz and Günter Loose , can secure top spots in the hit parade in 1964, as well as Hans-Jürgen Bäumler's recording „Wunderschönes fremdes Mädchen“ (Ralph Dokin / Günter Loose).
You can't catch a fish without it's bones: Marika's dreaming cowboys are cause for a lawsuit. Photojournalist Hansi Hoffmann claims that the figure skater had not even sung the title „Wenn die Cowboys träumen“ by herself, whereas the record company CBS complains successfully - Hoffmann must not repeat his assertion.
Old Master Vico Torriani: With "Auf der Hütt'n" (Henry Mayer / Kurt Hertha) and "Ski-Twist" the artist is dedicated to winter sports.
Start of an extraordinary career: The Carnival singer Margit Sponheimer, a discovery of Toni Hämmerle, starts a very successful collaboration with the composer with the song „Gib dem Bub‘ die Geige nicht“.
f.l.: Toni Hämmerle, Margit Sponheimer and Ernst Neger
1965
German beat music: "Poor Boy" (Peter Lietz) and "Shakin 'AII Over" are the two numbers with which the Lords from Berlin are successful in 1965. Also in the running: Paul Anka ("Elisabeth", written by Heinz Buchholz and Günter Loose) and Jean Claude Pascal ("Gefangen" by Henry Mayer and Georg Buschor).
Carnival hit of the season: Margit Sponheimer makes a smash hit with “Gell, du hast mich gelle gern”. The music is written by Toni Hämmerle and Dieter Adam, the boss of the legendary Hessian band "Adam + the Mickey's", who works successfully with Melodie der Welt for many years.
1966 - 1967
Successful old acquaintances in 1966: The Lords with "Greensleeves", Hans-Jürgen Bäumler with the German version of “Where Is The Love For Me” by Linda Rogers, entitled „Du bist mein Talisman“ (German lyrics by Günter Loose) and Hildegard Knef with the song „Berlin, dein Gesicht hat Sommersprossen“, which she wrote together with Charly Niessen.
German titles fall into the background in 1967: Peggy March and her "Memories of Heidelberg" (Henry Mayer / Georg Buschor) and Andy Fisher's „Der Babyspeck ist weg“ (Henry Mayer / Kurt Hertha / Forester) are the only domestic productions that can be placed in the charts in 1967.
Anglo-American music sets the tone: With the signing of the catalog deal with Gopam Enterprises, New York, which represents such well-known authors as Joe Zawinul, Nat & Julian Adderley, James Moody, Wes Montgomery, Caiphus Semenya, Freddie Hubbard and Gerry Mulligan, Johann Michel completes his entry into the American jazz scene.
Another highlight in 1967 is the signing of a long-term sub-publishing agreement (1967-1994) with America's Country Publisher No. 1, Tree Publishing Co. of Nashville.
f.l.: Johann Michel with Jack Stapp and Buddy Killen from Tree Publishing
1968
Voice of desire: Alexandra gains the deserved breakthrough with "Zigeunerjunge" (Hans Blum) and her striking alto voice. The song, which can also prevail in France with the title "Tzigane", is published by Melodie der Welt, as well as the successor piece „Auf dem Wege nach Odessa“ (Hans Blum / Fred Weyrich). On the way to her holiday destination, Alexandra is killed in a car accident near the Holstein city of Heide in July 1969.
Composer and Lyricist Hans Blum
German-speaking music is making a comeback: Bata Illic is one of the industry's new names. His hit „Mit verbundenen Augen“, written by the authors Karl Götz and Kurt Hertha, is even awarded Gold in the Dutch cover version "Met schloten Ogen" by Theo Diepenbrock. But even veterans such as Peggy March ("Canale Grande Number One", "Mississippi Shuffleboat", "Telegramm aus Tennessee") or Dorthe ("Sind Sie der Graf von Luxemburg", "Jeder Schotte") come back with melodies composed by Henry Mayer. The lyrics for the Peggy March title are written by Georg Buschor and for Dorthe by Fred Weyrich.
Stable Beatband: Berlin band The Lords are still present in the Top 40 with two songs written by Klaus-Peter Lietz: "Good Time Music" and "And At Night".
1969
With German hits in the lists of the best: Bata Illic sings about love in the evening with „Die Liebe kommt am Abend“ (Karl Götz / Kurt Hertha), Peter Orloff wants to have a farm for beautiful girls in the song „Eine Farm für schöne Mädchen“ (Henry Mayer / Kurt Hertha), while „Ein Student aus Uppsala“ (Henry Mayer / Georg Buschor) is preferred by Kirsti.
f.l.: Bata Illic and Karl Götz
Completely different, but equally successful singers: Jacqueline Boyer with "Mucho Amore" (Karl Götz / Herbert Falk), Peggy March with "Yesterday Waltz" (Henry Mayer / George Buschor), Margit Sponheimer with „Am Rosenmontag bin ich geboren“ (Charly Niessen / Franz Rüger) - her biggest hit, still today a long-running favorite among the mood songs.
1970 - 1971
German music weakens: In 1970, only Bata Illic can assert himself with "Schuhe so schwer wie Stein“, a cover version of the country hit "Jesus Is A Soulman" with Johnny Rivers (German lyrics: Michael Holm).
Foreign activities: On 1 March 1971, Johann Michel and Mickie Most arrange a long-term publishing cooperation with the aim of optimal exploitation of the RAK Publishing Ltd., London, repertoire in the German-speaking countries. The beginning of a unique success story: The cooperation with Mickie Most, one of the most successful and distinguished record producers of the sixties and seventies, sets new standards. Most produced artists such as Jeff Beck, Donovan, Herman's Hermits, Lulu, as well as the early successes of the Animals, and is alone responsible for 27 hits by Hot Chocolate, which are published on the RAK label. Most also brings along author and producer Mike Chapman, who hits the pulse of young audiences with teen attractions such as Sweet, New World, Mud, Suzi Quatro or Smokie.
f.l.: Johann Michel, Suzi Quatro and Mickie Most
1972
Electronic Popcorn: Although synthesizers have been on the market for several years now, the expensive and unwieldy instruments are not yet widely used in 1972. That a synthesizer piece even leads the German lists of the best is an absolute novelty. "Popcorn" is the title of the song with the characteristic sound, originally it comes from the band Hot Butter and is sub-published by Melodie der Welt. In summer of 1972, number 1 hit on the charts and omnipresent on radio, the composition by Gershon Kingsley will be covered by the Popcorn Makers - and still reaches number seven in the German charts. However, that is not all: there are nine different recordings in total on the German market. In summer of 1972, Johann Michel hands a Gold Record to the German-American Gershon Kingsley and Bonnie Bourne, owner of the American publishing house Bourne Co. New York, in the Palm Garden in Frankfurt. “Popcorn” was sold more than a million times until then.
f.l.: Bonnie Bourne, Johann Michel and Gershon Kingsley ("Popcorn" Gold ceremony)
On the top: Bata Illic makes his first number 1 hit in Germany with "Michaela" (R. Puschmann, J. Frankfurter, W. Krisch). In addition, two more hits by Jean Frankfurter can be established - „Mädchen, wenn Du einsam bist“ (Peter Orloff) and Adam & Eve's „Das macht die Liebe allein".
1973 - 1974
Paul & Linda McCartney: "My Love" and "The Mess" are the first songs by Paul & Linda McCartney, which Lee Eastman from New York sub-licenses to Inter Musik – Johann Michel KG, belonging to the Melodie der Welt group. In 1983 all songs are transferred to McCartney’s new publishing company MPL Music Verlags-GmbH administered by Melodie der Welt.
Hits in the charts of 1974: Henry Valentino rides on the nostalgic wave with „Ich hab dein Knie geseh’n“ (Hans Blum), Bata Illic sings „Ein Souvenir von Marie Antoinette“ (Henry Mayer / Günther Behrle), while the Flippers sing "Rosemarie" (Jean Frankfurter / Stephan Lego).
1975 - 1976
German-language titles fall behind: But Bata Illic („Ich hab noch Sand in den Schuhen aus Hawaii”, written by Henry Mayer and Fred Jay) and the Flippers ("Luana", composed by Jean Frankfurter) keep German songs in the line.
Bata Illic can score in the charts of 1976: With „lch möcht' der Knopf an Deiner Bluse sein“ (Christian Bruhn / Günther Behrle) and „Mädchen mit den traurigen Augen“ (Henry Mayer / Günther Behrle), the singer continues to be successful.
1977
Buenos Dias Udo: Since the mid-sixties, Udo Jürgens has been one of the absolute superstars of the German-speaking music scene. In September 1977, Udo Jürgens, his manager Freddy Burger and Johann Michel arrange a publishing collaboration. As a sub-publisher of Aran Productions AG, Melodie der Welt - together with the subsidiary company Johann Michel -represents the future repertoire by Udo Jürgens in numerous countries around the world.
f.l.: Freddy Burger, Udo Jürgens and Johann Michel
Another big coup: This is made by the writing team Henry Mayer and Hans Bradtke with “Das bisschen Haushalt”. Describing everyday life of German housewives and the husband’s comment on it “Housework is a breeze”, Johanna von Koczian strikes the chord. The song becomes the hymn of all unpaid housewives.
1978 - 1979
Big In Japan: In summer of 1977, Erich Ließmann and John Möring write the title "Hello Mr. Monkey", which was recorded in the same year with the girl trio Arabesque and released on the German market by EMI Electrola. At Midem 1978, the sub-publishing rights are transferred to Shinko Music, Tokyo, for exploitation in Japan. Katsumi Kita of Shinko succeeds in placing the master rights with Victor Music Industries, Tokyo, which marks an unprecedented triumph of a German girl group in the Far East. Already in 1979 "Hello Mr. Monkey" achieves gold status. Further hits of the author team Ließmann / Möring storm the Japanese sales charts, supported by successful tours of the trio Arabesque.
Arabesque and Wolfgang Mewes (Managing Director MdW)
Supra at MdW: Edition Supra - founded in 1956 by Will Glahé - is now part of the MdW publishing group. Will Glahé, who wrote music history as an accordionist, arranger and orchestra conductor in the 1930s, was also a successful composer. He composed titles such as "Quecksilber-Polka" (1936), "Huckepack" (1939) or "Im Gänsemarsch" (1940). In 1960 he was able to secure the publishing rights of the successful Rhine’s song “Ich hab‘ den Vater Rhein in seinem Bett geseh’n” (Toni Steingass / Heinz Korn). The song was among others interpreted by artists such as Kurt Adolf Thelen, Willy Schneider and Peter Alexander.
f.l.: Johann Michel and Peter Alexander
1980
Woitschach and SWP at MdW: Johann Michel takes over Paul Woitschach Radio-Musikverlag and its affiliated companies Imperator and music publishing company R. G. Gnauck. Paul Woitschach, whose company was founded in 1955 in Berlin, was very active in the fields of concert music, light music, dance and wind music. Also as an orchestra conductor, arranger and composer Paul Woitschach was in great demand. In November of the year, Melodie der Welt acquires the copyrights of all titles by Günter B. Merkel's SWP Südwest Promotion Musikverlag. The SWP catalog, in which are works by prominent German rock musicians such as Eloy, Kin Ping Meh, Jane or Fargo, operates further under the name Edition Rock Melody within the MdW organization as a separate edition.
Advertisement of January 15, 1981 in the specialist magazine "Der Musikmarkt" on the occasion of MIDEM in Cannes
Tribute from USA: The ASCAP Nashville honors Melodie der Welt with the Publisher Of The Outstanding Country Song Award for "Buenos Dias Argentina" by Udo Jürgens and lyricist Wolfgang Hofer.
1981 - 1982
Impressive anniversary: 1981 the head of Melodie der Welt, Johann Michel, celebrates his 50th anniversary in the music industry in his hometown Vienna. Among the two hundred guests are also great personalities, nationally and internationally. Fred Weyrich helds the laudatio with English simultaneous translation.
Neue Deutsche Welle: German songs in customary style are rather unpopular with the young audience. That German lyrics still can appeal to the target group is proved by the hits of “Neue Deutsche Welle”. Under these are “Rosemarie” (Hubert Kemmler / Markus Löhr), sung by Hubert Kah and published within the Melodie der Welt group. Hubert Kah's follow-up hit "Sternenhimmel" (Hubert Kemmler / Ulrich Herter / Claus Zundel) is placed 2nd in the charts in September and reaches in the annual ranking after all place 76. 1983 Kah receives a Golden Record for this.
From the Rhine to the Main: Following to the acquisition of company shares, the publishing group Rheinische Musikverlage moves from Cologne on the Rhine to Frankfurt on Main.
As early as 1925, Otto Kuhl Musikverlag, named after its founder, became a member of GEMA. The publishing emphasis was orchestral light music at this time. Later, such well-known mood songs as „Wenn das Wasser im Rhein goldner Wein wär“ (Werner Stamm / Heinz Böninghausen) and „En D'r Kaygass Nummer Null“ (Hermann Klaeser / Wilhelm Herkenrath) were acquired.
West Ton Group, which was headed by Jacques Maxime Joseph after death of Otto Kuhl in 1973, includes West Ton Verlags GmbH with titles such "Tchiou, Tchiou", "Tango Bolero" and „lm Leben geht alles vorüber“ (Peter Kreuder / Peter Schaeffers) and Nord-Süd-Verlag GmbH with the piece "Komm zurück (J'attendrai)" (German lyrics by Ralph Maria Siegel).
Also on board is Rheinischer Musikverlag Kuhl & Co. with the titles „Kleine Winzerin vom Rhein“ (Heinz Sommer) and "Bums Valdera" (Willibald Quanz / Brigitte Weber), the Edition Constantin Kuhl & Co. with the main publishing segment International Dance Music, as well as Karl Berbuer Musikverlag & Co.
The latter has made a name by cultivating Rhenish mood music and Cologne Carnival songs. As a down-to-earth Cologne, Karl Berbuer knew the Rhenish folk soul and the Rhenish mind like no other. Already in the 1920s successful with "We Are the Natives of Trizonesia", this song became the Cologne persiflage of political conditions after World War II in 1947, namely the division of West Germany and West Berlin in three occupation zones each.
1983 - 1984
Endangered species - German lyrics: Neue Deutsche Welle has reached its zenith, Hubert Kah, however, can still build on his success of last year with “Einmal nur mit Erika” (Hubert Kemmler / Claus Zundel) in 1983. Except from Hubert Kah, only old master Udo Jürgens can make an impact.
Ghostbusters: In 1979, Melodie der Welt concluded a contract on sub-publishing rights with Raydiola Music, the publisher of composer Ray Parker Jr. A blast is the title song "Ghostbusters" from the eponymous film and the animated film series, which now appears.
1985 - 1986
Transatlantic partnership: With the publishing administration and copyright management company Wixen Music, founded in 1978, Melodie der Welt concludes a long-term general sub-publishing agreement. The contact to company founder Randall D. Wixen is the result of the attending of a seminar at the University of California in Los Angeles.
Successful with sub-publishers: With the signing of a sub-publishing contract with Cannon International B.V., through the agency of Jack Fishman (film music coordinator for Cannon Film), Johann Michel has opened the door to music business in the USA. Ten years later, through mergers, start-ups and acquisitions, a group has formed, which operates as MGM / UA Music a Division of Metro Goldwyn - Mayer Inc., as well as being a contract partner of Melodie der Welt. More than 100 scores of great films and numerous soundtracks are administered by Melodie der Welt through this partnership in Germany, Austria and Switzerland in the following years.
1987 - 1989
New phenomenon - the Remix: DJs revise songs, add new sequences, accentuate the beat and sometimes create completely new pieces. Of course, the technique is also great for bringing new life to older tracks, of which the highly-deserved radio veterans Hot Chocolate make use of in 1987: Their remix of "You Sexy Thing" (sub-published by MdW) ranks place 5 in the single charts and place 33 of the year's bestsellers, the new version of "Everyone's A Winner" lands on place 14 of the single charts.
A good song doesn’t age: Rocco Granata makes a comeback with a remake of his biggest hit "Marina" (sub-published by West Ton at MdW), for which he got a Golden Record in 1960.
1990 - 1994
Awards: 1990, Johann Michel receives the Gold Order of Merit of the Land of Vienna. 1991, lyricist Kurt Hertha is awarded with the “Golden Pen”.
Company founder Johann Michel
Impressive digital and sound technique: In 1991, Nathalie Cole sings together with her deceased father the song “Unforgettable”. Some find this macabre. Nevertheless, "Unforgettable" becomes one of the world's most successful titles of the year. In Germany, sub-published by Melodie der Welt obo Bourne Co., the song by I. Gordon reaches only place 78, but in the leading US, song and video is being showered with prizes like NAACP Image Awards, American Music Awards and Grammies in various categories.
Catalogs from the commercials segment: In 1994, MdW acquires significant catalogs obo Ivy Tombak, a lawyer and former director of law and economics department at Paramount Pictures. She founded her music publishing company Litchfield Entertainment two years earlier.
1995 - 1996
Change of management: Pamela Michel joins the management of Melodie der Welt in 1996, replacing Wolfgang Mewes, who retires after more than 40 years of dedicated work at the end of 1997. The company policy is undergoing a decisive turnaround with Pamela Michel, with the emphasis on binding national author teams to the house. In addition to maintaining the long-standing contacts and partnerships of the time of Johann Michel and Wolfgang Mewes, she soon succeeds in contracting some talented newcomers as well as established German authors and producer teams.
A phenomenon is spreading: German songs experience a renaissance in 1996. Urban scene clubs are at the forefront of the movement, they organize those slightly ironic "Schlager parties". Demigod of the revival is Guildo Horn from Trier, who edits Joan Jett's "I Love Rock'n'Roll", sub-published by Melodie der Welt, to "Ich find Schlager toll", whereby the German lyrics come from Michael Holm.
1997 - 1999
Local Signing: Andy Knote, Armand Presser and lawyer Tim Schott have agreed to cooperate with MdW under the name of Edition Arts Of Toyco. Armand Presser, equipped with the best contacts in the media sector, acts as A & R as well as promoter. In September, the title "Funky Groove" (Andy Knote / Toni Miglietta) with Gio Bacio appears at BMG Munich, which turns out to be a real radio hit. The Munich-based band Megaherz, a guitar-oriented rock band dedicated to the “New Wave of New German Hardness”, release their new album "Kopfschuss" in autumn, with German-language songs mainly written by frontman Alex Wesselsky, Christian Bystron and Jochen Seibert aka Noel Pix.
Johann Michel becomes 85 years old: On May 17, 1999, as usual, Fred Weyrich holds the laudatio on the publisher.
In 1999, ex-Beatle Paul McCartney travels to a secret meeting with Melodie der Welt. The German branch of McCartney's publishing company MPL is led by Melodie der Welt.
Paul McCartney (center), management and employees of MdW
2000 - 2002
Cologne-Frankfurt axis: Siggi Brandt's Edition Diabolo is being co-published with MdW since 2000. The song “Sieh mich an" (Christoph Schneppenheim / Kami Manns) is a successful debut, the title "20 Zentimeter" (Michael Rötgens / Hartmut Wessling), released by EMI in time for the carnival season 2000/2001 and interpreted by Möhre, is developing into an absolute party and mood hit. Since spring of 2000, Jason Homan, singer / songwriter and chief of the edition Greytone, acts as exclusive author for Edition Diabolo and MdW. His single "Crazy ln Love" (Jason Homan / David Worthington) immediately enjoys a remarkable amount of radio broadcastings.
On the highway: In 2002, Reinhard Piel hands over his music publishing company A 45 to the administration of Melodie der Welt and founds the Edition A 45. The name comes from the company headquarters on the A45 motorway between Gießen and Siegen. With his label Reinhard Piel produces numerous hits, which are published in the edition. In 2002, alone 51 new works are released, of which 28 will be co-published with Melodie der Welt.
2003 - 2006
Revival: In 2003, Hansi Hinterseer revives the Ski-Twist by Henry Mayer and Kurt Hertha. Like Vico Torriani, he is even on the charts.
A productive year: In 2004, Melodie der Welt publishes 284 own works and 88 co-publications.
Edition LaCosaMia comes to MdW: As a DJ and producer, Daniel Sluga has been one of the leading names of German rap in the 1990s. He founded the music publishing company and label LaCosaMia. The song "Liebe ist" by rapper Nesti, published by LaCosaMia, is staying five weeks in the German single charts.
Exclusive contract: Eisbrecher was founded in 2003 by Alexander "Alexx" Wesselsky and Jochen "Noel Pix" Seibert. Noel Pix signs an exclusive contract with MdW. The debut album "Eisbrecher" (co-published with Arts of Toyco, among others) causes a sensation because two CD blanks are enclosed to protest against a criminalization of end users by the music industry.
Pop-Academy Baden-Württemberg founds Bandpool: It is a project in which newcomer bands from all over Germany are coached and supported for 18 months. John Ruhrmann, A & R Manager of Melodie der Welt, is one of the business consultants on this funding program.
2007
On 2nd February the company founder Johann Michel dies.
Sensational chart entry: MdW celebrates the entry of the debut album "Hahnenkampf" of Berlin hip-hop crew "K.I.Z." at place 9 on the Media Control Charts. In addition, the single of the Berlin rappers, co-published between Edition Royalbunker and MdW, is ranked 60th place in the German single charts. Thus, the publisher has a total of seven German-language sound recordings in the charts, which were created mainly by newcomers.
Nosie Katzmann works with MdW: Songwriter Nosie Katzmann, author of numerous hits like "Mr. Vain "by Culture Beat or" Right in the Night ", entrusts his music publishing company "Get Into Magic" to MdW.
f.l.: Pamela Georgi, Nosie Katzmann and John Ruhrmann
2008 - 2009
Melodie der Welt conjures together with Lillifee: Offenbach-based music company PRO-TONE, which is currently producing the sixth successful "Princess Lillifee" musical CD, hands its administration over to MdW. "Princess Lillifee" began as a very successful children's book series by the author Monika Finsterbusch, published by Coppenrath and has become a long-running hit. Coppenrath also has its own music publishing company, now managed by MdW. Thus, Lillifee receives reinforcement by Rabbit Felix, Captain Sharky and the Moonbear.
Melodie der Welt founds Beat The Rich: In 2009, MdW founds the joint edition with Berlin music manager impresario Beat Gottwald. Beat Gottwald brings works by the newcomer desperado ladies “Tote Crackhuren im Kofferraum” ("Dead crack whores in the trunk") as well as the artist groups "Rockstah" and "Ahzumjot". Gottwald later also becomes manager of the Berlin rap artists "K.I.Z".
f.l.: John Ruhrmann and Beat Gottwald
MdW administers publishing rights of Peacelounge: Melodie der Welt represents the publishing rights of the Frankfurt label Peacelounge in the eponymous edition. Owner of the label is Christian Arndt, who brings an exquisite catalog of chillout, pop and lounge music. He is also active in the field of corporate music.
2010
Newcomer successes: Author Klaus Hanselbauer (Edition ZIS / MdW) writes very funny and catchy numbers together with and for the well-known comedy artist "Cindy aus Marzahn", which is under contract with Brainpool. The authors of the Frankfurt production team "Bounce Brothers" place a variety of hip-hop works on the Olli Banjo album "Kopfdisco", which enters over Groove Attack place 15 of the Media Control Charts. The authors are contracted by Edition Yosoy at MdW. In the edition Beat The Rich, which is run jointly with Beat Gottwald, the sensational live combo discovery "Kraftklub" from Chemnitz is signed. The first EP "Adonis Maximus" receives the New Music Award.
MdW hands over its distribution of sheet music and moves: Except for brass music editions the music sheets are distributed by music publisher Josef Weinberger in Frankfurt now. Brass music is distributed by Hebu music publisher. After more than 44 years in "Helbergerhaus", MdW moves to the nearby, well-known "Bienenkorbhaus" on the Zeil shopping mile.
Author’s exclusive agreement with Grünschnabel: Melodie der Welt signs a long-term author exclusive agreement with the North German children's songwriter Burghardt Wegner a.k.a. Grünschnabel. The stage artist, producer and author makes music for children, composes and writes commissioned works and is traveling nationwide live or on air on children’s station KI.KA. A few years later, they found the Edition Lapislazuli together.
f.l.: John Ruhrmann and Grünschnabel (Burghardt Wegner)
2011
Author’s exclusive contract with Valicon: Ingo Politz and Bernd Wendlandt, who produce bands like Silbermond, Silly and Eisblume and also compose many songs for their artists, find in MdW the ideal publishing partner to be accompanied in all matters of copyright.
MdW represents "Franky Boy" by Uschi Ließmann: Jean Frankfurter (Erich Ließmann) had already published many of his compositions with Melodie der Welt and he has been associated with the publisher family for a long time, because here he had signed his first publishing contract. With songs for Helene Fischer he celebrates huge successes, which are published by Franky Boy.
f.l.: Uschi Ließmann, Pamela Georgi and Jean Frankfurter (Erich Ließmann)
2012 - 2014
Siegel music publishing company at MdW: Composer, lyricist, musician, producer and publisher Ralph Siegel gives his publishing company in the administration of Melodie der Welt from January 2012 on.
Most successful Austrian interpreter: "Volks-Rock'nRoller" Andreas Gabalier from the Edition Stall at MdW becomes a superstar of folk music in record time. Countless awards and Platinum Records follow.
Hugely successful: The new album "Farbenspiel" by German star Helene Fischer, produced by Erich Ließmann, goes straight to number one in the Media Control Charts in 2013. Now she is in the charts with three albums. The hit "Breathless through the Night", composed and with lyrics by Kristina Bach, with its dancefloor beats, receives a Diamond Record for over one million units sold.
Our song for Denmark: MdW's contract partner Valicon Music discovers "Elaiza” and her band in 2012 and signs them together with MdW. With the song "Is It Right" by Elzbieta Steinmetz (front woman of the trio), Frank Kretschmer and Adam Kesselhaut, "Elaiza" is applying for the preliminary vote of the Eurovision Song Contest, wins and travels to Denmark in 2014. The song lands at place 4 of the German single charts and achieves gold status. The studio album "Gallery" lasts eight weeks in the German album charts.
MdW and The Musicbrokers: The Hamburg-based music agency The Musicbrokers concludes a long-term co-publishing agreement in 2014 and both companies are planning joint songwriting events. In the same year, they organize the first camp for 15 selected authors, both experienced and newcomers, to write for different genres and targeted for various German, Danish, Norwegian, Australian and Japanese artists. In the result, they create 14 new titles in three days.
2015 - 2016
Melodie der Welt administers Detlev Jöcker's "Menschenkinder Verlag": Whether „Im Kribbel Krabbel Mäusehaus“, „Das Kille-Kitzel-Monster“ or „1, 2, 3 im Sauseschritt“ - there is hardly a German nursery without a CD with songs by Detlev Jöcker. From January 2016 on, MdW takes over the administration.
Ralph Siegel in Luck - After 12 years in the ESC preliminary round again: Ralph Siegel won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1982. In the following 34 years, Siegel was 14 times represented in the authors' competition for Germany and for San Marino in recent years. In 2016, he sends his title "Under the Sun we Are One" in the running, which will be interpreted by 19-year-old Laura Pinski. The song is administered by Melodie der Welt for Ralph Siegel.
Felix Moese aka FXMO signs as author of Melodie der Welt: With his daily radio broadcasts at the Hessian market leader Radio FFH, Felix Moese is more present than ever before and reaches millions of people. He creates a unique sound and spirit with his tracks and melodic remixes.
f.l.: John Ruhrmann, Felix Moese and Pamela Georgi
2017 – 2019
A decision hits like a bombshell: Music publishers may participate in statutory royalty claims only if the music authors expressly and separately from the contract agree to this, according to the Court of Appeal in Berlin. In 2017, employees of all German music publishing companies must complete an electronic confirmation procedure with GEMA, which will be completed one year later. MdW alone must contact more than 2,500 authors and Deutsche Post achieves an unexpected increase in sales. Due to the good relationship with the vast majority of authors or their heirs, less than 1% are no longer in agreement with the participation.
Melodie der Welt and The Musicbrokers bring songwriters together once again: For the ninth time of the joint songwriting camp with the Hamburg-based music agency The Musicbrokers in 2019, fifteen composers and lyricists come together in order to develop songs for the newcomer band "Adayna", the singer Philipp Leon and others.
f.l.: Hauke von der Brelje (The Musicbrokers), Julian Laping, Christoph v. Freydorf, Marius Tilly, Philipp Leon, Florian Luig, Joschka Bender, Hannes Kelch, Daniel Eisenlohr, Buket Kocatas, Eike Freese (The Musicbrokers), Tom Nevermann (The Musicbrokers), Lukas Ernst
The next joint songwriting camp takes place in November 2019 already. This time, the artists Troglauer and The Dark Tenor are in focus. Over the course of three days, song material is developed together with the interpreters at Chameleon Studios in Hamburg. Fourteen composers and lyricists assist the artists and write the new songs under the creative aegis of The Musicbrokers.
f.l.: Eike Freese (The Musicbrokers), Nicki (Troglauer), Mike (Troglauer), Luis Baltes (vorne links), Maxi Beuster, Danny (Troglauer), Christoph Sakwerda, Marius Tilly, Denny Meißner, Anna Zimt, Daniel Eisenlohr (vorne rechts), Tom Nevermann (The Musicbrokers), Felix Gerlach, Hauke von der Brelje (The Musicbrokers).
Not on the photo: The Dark Tenor, David Stoltzenberg, Michael Knauer, Björn Patrik Pfeiffer, Justin Balk, Buket Kocatas
2020
The album "Ostgold", released on January 3, 2020 by the East German band Goitzsche Front, enters number 2 on the album charts. Powerful, energetic, rocking, hard, martial, aggressive, loud, critical, brutal - all of this is said to be the successful German-speaking rock band from Bitterfeld. Goitzsche Front are part of the new Edition Lebenslinien, which co-publishes with MELODIE DER WELT.
Another provocative and politically incorrect band is co-published between Edition All Black Everything and MELODIE DER WELT. BRDigung from Kempen on the Lower Rhine play German punk rock with metal coloring. At the end of January, the album “Zeig dich” enters number 3 in the album charts. Actually, the band wants to go on tour immediately, but it turns out differently.
Since the outbreak of the new coronavirus disease in late 2019, more than 184,000 people have been infected with the disease by mid-March, resulting in more than 7,500 deaths in 150 countries, according to the World Health Organization. As the disease continues to spread, event organizers have cancel or postpone live events and concerts. BRDigung also bow to reason, but can preliminary save all shows and postpone their tour to September. "Be nice to each other and also think of all the organizers, clubs etc. who are going through an extremely hard time," they write on their website.
All of them are in an exceptional situation due to the spread of the corona virus. Many are concerned about their health, but also about their economic future. This also applies to the authors, editors and publishers. MELODIE DER WELT also takes measures to ensure the basic capability of action. In order to protect employees and against the background of social responsibility, most work in the home office.
After 10 years in the “Bienenkorbhaus” (“Beehive House”) and more than half a century in the city center of Frankfurt, MELODIE DER WELT moves into new rooms in the “Gutenberg-Palais” in Frankfurt's City-West in May 2020.
Officially only starting from January 01, 2021 the HeBu music publishing house from Kraichtal will take over the shipment of printed editions from the MELODIE DER WELT publishing group, but already from the end of November the printed editions can be ordered at HeBu. The HeBu Musikverlag has already taken over the distribution of our Brass music editions in 2013 and later also the delivery for the editions of the publishing house Clou-Music Wolf (the works of Hubert Wolf), which is administrated by us.
In November, producer and songwriter Benjamin Factor signs a worldwide exclusive author’s agreement with Edition Ever Ever / Melodie der Welt. In addition, Ever Ever Music and Benjamin Factor are founding Factoree and the Edition of the same name (also administered by MdW), a joint venture label to develop and utilize new, exciting artists in the new genre of Goa rap - created by Factor. The details are digitally discussed and signed in a corona-safe way.
Above: John Ruhrmann (A&R Melodie der Welt), Carmelo Lo Porto (Managing Director, Ever Ever Music), below: Benjamin Factor
2021
It's the second year of the pandemic, but there's still a lot going on musically. It seems the year of the new editions LEBENSLINIEN and SÜDLAND, co-published with MELODIE DER WELT.
LEBENSLINIEN/MDW
Eisbrecher's studio album "Liebe Macht Monster" enters the charts at place 1 with fourteen new strong songs, eleven of which are published by MdW and partly co-published with Edition Lebenslinien. Eisbrecher are undoubtedly an attraction on the German music scene. Noel Pix and Alex Wesselsky have created a significant sound and show their versatility again and again. At the same time remaining Eisbrecher is the special skill. And so the music changes from Gothic/Wave to Hardrock/Metal and yet remains true to both.
A year after their debut album, the Franconian band VIVA is already releasing their next LP with a mixture of rock, pop and punk. Their first album already made waves, the second goes one better with its "Neue Hymnen, Neue Lieder". The songs are essentially traditional German rock, you hear exactly what singer and guitarist Florian Rittweger and his guys produced together - honestly and clearly.
ESKIMO CALLBOY are nominated as a finalist at the Heavy Music Awards 2021 in the BEST VIDEO category for their video of the song "HYPA HYPA" from the album MMXX. In December, the band not only announces on YouTube that they want to represent Germany at the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Turin (they submitted their current single "Pump it" for the preliminary round), but also explain on Instagram that they are going to remove old songs due to offensive lyrics from all platforms and also reconsidering the band's name.
SÜDLAND/MDW
Ben Zucker has released his third album „Jetzt erst recht!“ and delights the Schlager world, including the two songs „Schon wieder für immer“ and „Danach fragt die Liebe nicht“. Ben Zucker, who lives in Berlin and stands out from other Schlager singers with his rough and scratchy voice, has experienced a rapid rise in recent years and has firmly established himself in the industry. This is due to the more Schlager-rock music, as well as appearances with Schlager greats like Florian Silbereisen.
The German rock band WILLKUER has existed since 2007 and started out as a cover band for various German rock greats. They were very successful with it in the Swabian region. Now they have also gone under the songwriters. In their songs, the five band members Moritz Hermle (vocals), Julian Kuder (guitar), Florian Söll (drums), Andreas Weible (bass) and Tobias Röschl (guitar) tell their unvarnished truth, criticize society, but also encourage in hard times. „Wir treffen euch hart mit purer Willkuer“ (A wordplay: We hit you hard with pure arbitrariness) is the pithy message to the fans.
LEBENSLINIEN/SÜDLAND/MDW
The Hessian punk hard rock band LOCAL BASTARDS enter the charts at position 32 with their album "Feindbild". The "Local Bastards" were the opening act for "Goitzsche Front", who were at the top of the charts with their album a year ago. Both bands are close friends. The new album "Feindbild" with its catchy, hard and solid sound is the fifth album by "Local Bastards".
As if there are no others this year.
Yes, of course there are. In July, the joint venture label Factoree, together with Side By Side Management, is organizing a songwriting camp at Tonstudio 99 in Saarbrücken. There are ten authors from MELODIE DER WELT and Side By Side Future. Factoree has its own publishing edition at MdW. The label, founded by Ever Ever Music and successful producer Benjamin Factor (“Endorphine” and „Saufen aufm Spielplatz“), has built up exciting young artists in recent months who are breaking musical norms with the new genre of Goa rap. For three days, songs for the artists BroyS, Audiohenta! and Scutta written. In addition to Benjamin Factor, Deon and Lucy of the Saarbrücken cross-over duo Tiavo, as well as the producer team Tim Schoon and Matteo Schwanengel, are also the authors. They write a lot of songs that attract attention with their rich lyrics and driving electro beats.
f.l. back row: Hanna Derber (Ever Ever Music), Lena Leick (Ever Ever Music), Nicole Giesa (Ever Ever Music), BroyS (Factoree), Scutta (Factoree), Lucy (Tiavo), Deon (Tiavo), Tim Schoon (Side By Side Future), Matteo Schwanengel (Side By Side Future); f.l. front row: Benjamin Factor (Factoree), Carmelo Lo Porto (Ever Ever Music), Audiohenta! (Factoree), Lukas Adamidis (Side By Side Management); sittting f.l.: Johnny Carrera (Factoree), Trip-Tamine (Factoree)
2022
The pandemic is not over yet, but people have learned to live with it, however, the Ukraine war and the associated energy crisis are dampening the mood noticeably. The vibrant and significant MIDEM is about to end, the Frankfurt Music Fair is also being canceled and it is uncertain whether it will ever take place again.
Südland Music-Edition continue to dominate publishing activities at Melodie der Welt in 2022. Heavy metal band Kissin' Dynamite's album has received glowing reviews and the fans are excited. A&R John Ruhrmann congratulates the co-publisher on the "refreshing chart storm": Versengold at #1, Kissin' Dynamite at #2. It's definitely 'Not The End Of The Road'," he says, referring to their album title. Versengold set the tone with "Was kost die Welt" at number 1 in the German top 100 longplay charts.
But Edition Lebenslinien is certainly no less exciting. The band Electric Callboy, which has been renamed meanwhile, lands a number 1 hit in the German album charts for the first time with "TEKKNO" and once again makes itself a name. Edition Lebenslinien and Melodie der Welt are involved in all songs. 2022 is definitely the year of the band from Castrop-Rauxel, because they have fans all over the world now. Apart from the songs, which basically belong to “Metal/Transcore”, but actually every song does what it wants, the guys in the band are super funny. Not only the music, especially the music videos are fun and lift the spirits. In hard times, the band provides best entertainment and a carefree time.
2023
MELODIE DER WELT takes over the administration of the publishing company HIGH FASHION International B.V. for Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The independent music publisher is based in Hilversum, Netherlands and has been administering MELODIE DER WELT in the Benelux countries since 2014. The company became known, among others, with the so-called Italo Disco, including the song “The Night” (Nicolosi/Addoms), sung by Valerie Dore of 1984.
MELODIE DER WELT has two out of nine songs in the German ESC preliminary round in March. Act number 1 is the band Lonely Spring, founded in Passau in 2019, with the song “Misfit”, published by Edition ALL BLACK EVERYTHING and MELODIE DER WELT. The 2nd act is Patty Gurdy, who wants to win with her radiant singing and her hurdy-gurdy in “Our Song for Liverpool”. The Celtic Folk Pop song is called “Melodies Of Hope” and was composed and written by her and Hannes Braun. The share of Hannes Braun, who also produced the song, is 50/50 for Edition SÜDLAND and MELODIE DER WELT. Unfortunately, both songs do not make it into the European competition. However, Germany ultimately takes last place with the winner of the preliminary round.
In general: Hannes Braun. He is one of the most successful songwriters of the year. Disciplined and goal-oriented, the 31-year-old musician has become one of the most sought-after authors. More than four million records on which Hannes Braun worked as a songwriter and producer have already been sold, including Santiano, Joachim Witt and Versengold in 2023 and of course his own band “Kissin’ Dynamite”.
“Quellkartoffel un Dupp Dupp” has always been a catchy song, but in 2023 it is be in the ears of more than fifty million people because the song is spreading on TikTok. From that point on, remixes and covers are booming, be it by NoooN, Killermichel, Markus Becker, Dragan and Andy Luxx or an own version called “Party, Palmen und Suff Suff” by Marc Eggers. All come onto the market within a few months. Ikke Hüftgold had already recognized the potential of the song in 2015 and covered the title. “Quellkartoffel un Dupp Dupp” was written by Dieter Adam and “Adam and the Micky’s” released the song in 1979. But what does the Hessian expression “Dupp Dupp” mean? This is basically a “dip” (something to dip in, for “duppe”), with jacket potatoes (spring potatoes) it is usually herb curd, in Frankfurt it is the “green sauce”, but it can be also simply butter and salt.
