Thomas Anders Fan-party (January 15, 2000)
Text: Vadim Muravsky especially for the site
Thomas Anders Friends Club
Photos by author

Thomas Anders Fanclub Party 1999

The first question to be answered is "what was it?" Was it a party for MT-fans or for TA-fans only? Or, maybe, Dieter Bohlen leaved MT and was replaced by Guido Carp?

Ok, I’ll start from the beginning. On my way to Koblenz I had a very good mood, in spite of the rain and fog. But after entering the club "Extra" I was easily disappointed. All the fans had to wait a half of an hour before the doors, and the weather was quite frosty! It had to start at 12AM, but the door was opened only at 12-30 by Guido, who didn’t even greet us and demonstrated his unfriendliness. Then we had to take the line in order to enter the Planquadrat (a disco-hall in "Extra") Frankly speaking, it was not a line, but a huge and thick crowd, rushing forward. The entering procedure prolonged much because of the checking of our membership cards and our clothes and bags. It was prohibited to bring any camcorders and drinks. All barmen were so happy! Guido personally sent back everyone who had a camcorder or a camera with telescopic lens. Sometimes he said: "Don’t be in hurry! Everything will start in almost 2,5 hours!" Actually, he was right, but after 40 minutes there was no "TA Fan club Magazine"! Everything was already sold!

Among all products the most interesting was a videotape "TA Live in Russia," and I’ve bought it. Then I took one more line to pay a membership fee for the year 2000 and to receive a new membership card and the first Fan club CD. The line moved very slowly, and it seemed to me that I didn’t move at all!

At 15AM Guido announced that Thomas arrived, and all those who didn’t take a card could do it after the party. I couldn’t take a good place before the wooden stage.

The Thomas’ appearance was the most positive moment of the party. He tried his best to get the audience and answered all the questions from everywhere. We could get to know many interesting things, for example, that he is not planning to record a new Christmas album and a new concert video during 2000.

Here’re some of these questions:

- Is it true, that you will have a wedding this march?

TA: No, it is not true. I don’t know where journalists got such information! Maybe, they just connected it with Claudia’s birthday, I don’t know. I can say that the wedding will take place this year, but I cannot tell you the exact date.

- Why?

TA: You know, if we will declare it now, and later we’ll have to postpone it because of my concerts or the trips, everyone will call and ask: what happened? Are you still together? You didn’t quarrel, do you? Even if we will repeat, that everything is all right, journalists will spread a rumor that Thomas and Claudia are not all right!

- Why MT started to use rap? We are sure that Eric hinders your concerts!

TA: Well, Germans listen to rap! And it is rather popular in France, for example. Eric helps us there. We recorded a concert version with rap and vocal.

- Who decides which song will you record as a single? Can you listen to the fans’ opinion?

TA: In this case we will receive thousands of different opinions and suggestions! Tastes differ. Even if I’ll ask all of you, I’ll receive 600 different answers… Everything is decided by me and Dieter, and adjusted with our record company BMG. Just before the recording the first single from the new album we already know, which song will be the second single.

- Is MT going to change its style? What about the "Latino-pop" style?

TA: No, we will not change anything. You know, Ricky Martin is doing well on the "Latino-pop" area.

There were quite stupid questions, for example: "Where’s your chain "Nora"? "Why are you always so sun burnt?" "Could you please embrace us?"

Guido Carp impressed us badly by his barging into Thomas’ speeches and by the constant interrupts. Sometimes he cracked stupid jokes and didn’t let Thomas answer, doing it instead of him. Guido stopped fan’s questions and put on the new CD-single. Thomas immediately used this pause and leaved the stage.

Then Guido announced the show of amateurish video records of Thomas-solo. Thomas supposed to make comments. But I had a feeling that Thomas couldn’t remember some episodes by himself!

It was quite interesting for old and new Thomas’ fans. There were his early performances and his work on the radio "Regenbogen". But many of us lost all interest because of the bad quality.

Finally I felt bored and went outside. Near the entrance I saw Thomas’ "Jaguar" and took a picture with it.

Then I saw Claudia near the bar. She was observing the party from the side. I approached her after my return to "Planquadrat".

She was very polite and friendly and agreed to take a picture together. She said she didn’t expect such a number of fans (as Carp said, there was 661 fan)

I used the opportunity to talk with her, but the sound was too loud and I had to shout all my questions in her ear. Then I offered mine to her. That’s why I could ask her only few questions in a half of an hour.

- Will Thomas take pictures with fans this time?

KH: No, it will take a long time. The number of the audience is double than the last time. Tonight we were invited to the wedding party, that’s why we’d like to disappear in time. But you can try to ask for his signature...

- What have happened with Philip? When will he publish the songs written by Thomas?

KH: Philip couldn’t manage everything that we were planning for him. We will have to write some new songs for him.

- What else can we expect, except Philip?

KH: They have written a lot of new songs, and now we’re working with several projects. But we constantly look for the new talents, and our work is going on!

- That means you’re heading Thomas’ publishing now?

KH: I’m heading the management department of the publishing and working with the papers. I don’t touch the musical department and the studio. But I’m always well-informed about everything.

- You will not announce the wedding date?

KH: We will not do it on purpose. We’d like to avoid all turmoil with press and we try our best to keep the secret. We will declare afterwards.

- Why Thomas didn’t sing a new song and leaved the stage while the video show?

KH: The official "live" premiere will take place in the program "Wetten, dass…?" on February. Thomas cannot sing without Dieter.

- Do you know when and where MT will give their concerts this year? Which countries are they planning to visit?

KH: I cannot tell you exactly, because the plans change every day. I don’t know where we will go next week! We are always on the way.

- What is the name of Thomas’ dog? Quichi or Quishi? All papers pronounce it in different ways.

KH: Kshishi. They called her all kinds of names!

Later another fans approached Claudia, and she spoke even in French! Then her mom came to the party. Claudia was very happy to see her, and I understood, that they didn’t see each other for long time…

So, the time has come to the main event of the party. Thomas announced that he will sing a few songs. He started from "Crying In The Night". After hearing this I was dumbfounded! It was a real MT-disco, which we truly know and love! I was so happy to think that this song will appertain to the new MT-album! And I was truly disappointed, when Thomas disproved it. This song was written by Thomas and Christian Geller from "Two4Good" and it possibly will be recorded as a single. But Thomas doesn’t know who will sing it.

The second song was a real surprise for us! It was YMHYMS, but… as a ballad! It reminded me "I will follow you". Thomas’ charming singing caused a great delight of fans, and we applauded for a long, long time!

The third one was "Love is forever"-demo. Thomas explained that it needs to record demo at first and then add all arrangements.

The last song was "Heaven and hell," a new Thomas’ song. It didn’t come upon a new album, because it was written too late. And its destiny is still unknown…

After the Thomas’ performance Guido introduced a new duet "Two4Good." Thomas and Guido support two friends – Mattias Bruckner and Christian Geller. Mattias took part as a musician in Thomas’ solo tours, including his tour in Russia in 1997. Now he’s working in "Fan-Association" as a world stars’ tour manager. Christian was 24, and he was already an experienced and talented producer, working with different stars.

They sang Thomas’ old song "Heisskalter Engel" with a new modern arrangement. I was shocked by the likeness of Thomas’ and Christian’s voices. After their performance I asked them to sign my newly bought CD-single. Then Thomas started a lottery. Among the gifts there were the dairy and the radio with MT-labels, Chinese CD "Alone" from Hong Kong, and some promo-CD singles "Sexy Sexy lover." The main prize was a golden CD, which was received by MT as an award for their album "Romantic Warriors."

After the lottery the final part of the party has started. It was a show of the records made by Claudia during the rehearsal in the New Year Eve in Berlin and during the shooting of the new clip in Hong Kong. It was truly interesting!

Thomas said goodbye to everyone at 18.30. He thanked us for coming and wished a good luck.

I took the line again and finally received the membership card and the Fan club CD.

I didn’t want to leave and joined a small group of fans talking with Guido in the empty hall of "Planquadrat". Guido was strictly criticized for the bad organizing of the party. He justified himself and accused the administration of "Extra", which didn’t accomplish its responsibility, starting from the stage and the broken switch in the toilet. He complained that his whole life is a stress, including 7 working days a week and ungrateful fans…

I hope the party organizers will take into account all of it, and Dieter Bohlen will please the fans by his presence next year. Some fans think that Dieter hates Guido, that’s why he didn’t come. Some think that Dieter was never interested in his fans and the fan club, unfortunately…

I leaved Koblenz wishing to return here one day!