Reinhard Friedrich Michael Mey, a renowned German "Liedermacher" or singer-songwriter, was born on December 21, 1942, in Berlin, Germany. He is also known as Frédérik Mey in France.
Mey has released an impressive 27 German albums by 2009, with a new album typically released every two years. His first album, "Ich wollte wie Orpheus singen," was released in 1967, and his most recent studio album, "Das Haus an der Ampel," was released in 2020. His biggest success to date was "Mein Achtel Lorbeerblatt" in 1972, and his most famous song is "Über den Wolken" from 1974, which has been covered by numerous German artists.
Mey is known for his extensive concert tours, which take place every two or three years, with a live album released from each tour.
Born in Berlin, Mey spent his childhood there. At the age of 12, he had his first piano lesson, and at 14, he got his first guitar. He taught himself how to play the trumpet. During his school years, he gained performance experience by playing Skiffle music with friends.
In 1961, Mey became part of the group Les Trois Affamés with Schobert Schulz. In 1963, he graduated from the French Gymnasium in Berlin, receiving both the German Abitur and the French Baccalauréat. He then began vocational training as an industrial trader at Schering AG Berlin.
Mey broke off his university studies in economics to focus on songwriting and singing. He has written songs in German, French, Dutch, and English. He records his French material under the name Frédérik Mey.
In 1967, Mey married a French woman named Christine, and they were divorced in 1976. He married Hella Hennies, born in Hanover, in 1977, and they have three children: Frederik, born November 20, 1976, Maximilian, born January 28, 1982, and Victoria-Luise, born November 19, 1985.
Tragically, his son Maximilian died in May 2014 after five years in a persistent vegetative state due to undiagnosed severe pneumonia, which led to a cardio-pulmonary arrest.
Mey writes both sensitive and humorous songs, often inspired by his everyday life, surroundings, and personal experiences. His themes include life on the road, his hobbies, childhood memories, family life, and occasionally politics.
