DJ Bobo faces various accusations.Image: www.imago-images.de
DJ Bobo is the most successful Swiss musician. Even now aged 56, the man from Aargau still tours the world and sells out stadiums. But various reports show the supposed clean man in a different light.
“Chihuahua”, “Somebody Dance With Me” or “Everybody”: DJ Bobo has created some catchy tunes in his career, everyone knows the melodies (even if not everyone admits it).
But according to a report by… “Blicks” The Aargau native is not just the shimmering Eurodance star who spreads an invariably positive atmosphere – behind the scenes, René Baumann, as his real name is, is said to have treated employees unfairly and morally reprehensibly on several occasions. There is now even a play about it in the Schauspielhaus Zurich. An overview of the various allegations against Bobo:
Die Misstöne um Lori Gloris Stimme
The best-known case: US singer Lori Glori sang several songs for DJ Bobo in 1994. At that time she received around 8,000 francs for it and signed an alleged receipt. In fact, she gave up her copyright to the songs. “I barely knew German and I thought it was a receipt,” she said in an interview. As a result, the singer goes through hard times, while Bobo really takes off thanks to her voice – and achieves high income. Baumann subsequently never responded to the singer’s calls. Lori Glori’s lawsuit is later dismissed by a court.
The story of Glori, who still feels unfairly treated, is currently being shown in a musical called “Last Night a DJ Took My Life” at the Schauspielhaus Zurich – with the singer herself in the lead role.
His first hit was a plagiarism
DJ Bobo made his breakthrough in the early 90s with “Somebody Dance With Me”. But the catchy melody wasn’t his idea. He copied the American singer Rockwell, as he himself later admitted. The case ended lightly; Bobo reached an out-of-court settlement with the singer. From then on he shared the income he generated with the hit.
Another “receipt case”
“Somebody Dance With Me” again: The singer Emel Aykanat describes a similar story to Lori Glori. She sang the chorus of Bobo’s first big hit. She should receive a share if the title becomes successful. But when he did, she was subsequently presented with altered receipts, with which she had allegedly assigned her copyrights. The now 48-year-old reported to Baumann publicly a “significant criminal energy”.
This case also ended without any legal consequences for Bobo; his salvation was once again an out-of-court settlement. Aykanat received investments amounting to a six-figure amount.
Dancer is injured and receives no compensation
Dancer and singer Tanja Geuder, who was on stage with Bobo for three years in the 90s, also feels that she was not treated correctly. She fell into a hole during a show, seriously injured her shoulder and was no longer able to perform. The stage is said to have been changed recently, as Geuder says. She never received any compensation, as she explained to “Blick”. She never filed a lawsuit for financial reasons.
Songs re-recorded to avoid royalties
Baumann’s first producer, Gutze Gautschi, is also not a good person to speak of. He recorded his first album with Bobo in 1992 and helped him achieve his breakthrough. But the Eurodance star never showed any gratitude afterwards.
Instead, Bobo changed labels and re-recorded all of his songs. In doing so, he avoided the obligation to pay royalties to his former label. According to Gautschi, Bobo never clearly declared the new recordings as such.
Gautschi also comments on the Glori case in the 90s: “If someone gives the vote for a hit, they are given a percentage. That’s what serious labels do.” Bobo’s behavior was wrong, a rip-off and showed his true character.
Even though DJ Bobo may never have committed any criminal offense – he never had to appear in court – the numerous allegations against him show at least one thing: the always beaming, good-mood musician on stage also has another side: that one of the tough, sometimes unscrupulous businessman. The piece “Last Night a DJ Took My Life” by Joana Tischkau can be seen at the Schauspielhaus Zurich until May 14th. (con)
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