"Demolish the hut!", "Jan Pillemann Otze" or "Schatzi give me a photo": Mickie Krause's hits are not only popular with Ballermann fans, but are also part of every big party. The singer is celebrating his 50th birthday today (June 21). In an interview with the news agency spot on news, Krause tells what plans he has for his special day and whether he has ever considered turning his back on the stage. He also talks about the restrictions in the Corona crisis and reveals what he really wants to experience.
Are you looking forward to your 50th birthday or are you struggling with this number?
Mickie Krause: I'm turning 40 for the tenth time, that's perfectly fine. I am actually completely satisfied, including my age. I'm also fitter and sportier now than I was 25 years ago – and I don't want to be 25 anymore.
How will you celebrate your 50th birthday?
Krause: We're going on a short trip to Norderney. There we will either celebrate my birthday or have a morning drink on my birthday, of course only in the closest family circle. I also wanted a walk on the beach with the whole family. Originally a big party with 200 guests was planned – but we will make up for it.
Which experiences of your life so far do you particularly like to think back to?
Krause: The greatest experiences were of course my wedding and the completely different births of our four children. But the trip to Rwanda with Fly & Help, where I financed and opened a Mickie Krause school, was a great experience – it was the most exciting and emotional trip of my life.
Would you like to have done certain things differently in your life so far?
Krause: There are always things that could have been done better, but I'm not concerned with what was, but with what is. I basically see it as Karl Dall: I am not ashamed of anything that I have done musically.
Again and again you had to take criticism for your lyrics. Is there anything you regret?
Krause: This criticism did not come from the fans, I just had to justify myself to poorly researching media representatives. We had no intention of polarizing, we want to provide entertainment. And we actually succeeded quite well, otherwise I would probably not be at the start anymore.
You have been on the stage for over 20 years. Have you ever thought about quitting?
Krause: No, absolutely not. I'm still burning for the stage. My team and I are still very creative and it's just fun to do this job. In the past few months I have become aware of how much I love this job and that it is high time to get back on stage.
How are you with the fact that the Ballermann season cannot take place this year?
Krause: Of course it's a shame, after all, I can work where others go on vacation. But worse is of course that many vacationers, soccer teams, graduation classes etc. are deprived of the opportunity to celebrate on the Playa. We should definitely not forget the many employees and workers who work on the Playa and do not make any money because they live from tourism. These are the people you have to worry about, because it hits them a lot harder.
How are you currently spending your newly gained time?
Krause: Despite the Corona crisis, we were very creative. We have created almost 15 songs and some of them have already been produced. Then there were regular live streams on Facebook and Instagram. With my singing colleague from the old days, I performed in old people's homes and facilities for the disabled, with the aim of causing distraction. With our little show we were able to bring the residents to other thoughts and put a smile on their faces. And it was also very nice to have had time for the family. Overall, we got on very well.
Is there anything you are particularly proud of in your life?
Krause: I am absolutely proud of my family and very grateful that they can stand it with me. It also makes me a little proud that I am treated as the most successful German mood singer.
What do you really want to experience?
Krause: I can well imagine becoming a grandfather in 20 years. Then I quit my job and am only there for my grandchildren. I definitely want to travel the world because I haven't really seen much of the world in the past 30 years.
What do you want for your new year of life?
Krause: Actually, everything can stay as it is. Of course, I hope that at some point we will be able to celebrate and laugh again with a large audience – the uncertainty of not knowing when it will start again is sometimes a problem for me.