Bert Kaempfert facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bert Kaempfert
Kaempfert in 1967
Background information
Birth name	Berthold Heinrich Kämpfert
Born	(1923-10-16)16 October 1923 Barmbek, Hamburg, Germany
Died	21 June 1980(1980-06-21) (aged 56) Mallorca, Spain
Genres	Easy listening, instrumental, jazz, big band
Occupation(s)	Orchestra leader, composer
Instruments	Accordion, clarinet, piano, saxophone
Years active	1939–1980
Labels	Polydor, Decca USA, MCA

Bert Kaempfert (born Berthold Heinrich Kämpfert; October 16, 1923 – June 21, 1980) was a famous German musician. He was an orchestra leader, played many instruments, and was a music producer, arranger, and composer. He was known for his "easy listening" and jazz-style music. Bert Kaempfert wrote the music for many well-known songs. These include "Strangers in the Night", “Danke Schoen”, and "Moon Over Naples".

Early Life and Music Career

Bert Kaempfert was born in Hamburg, Germany. He got his nickname, Fips, there and studied music at the Hamburg School of Music. He could play many instruments, like the accordion, piano, clarinet, and saxophone.

He first played with Hans Busch's orchestra. Later, he was a musician in the German Navy during World War II. After the war, he started his own big band and toured with them. He also worked as an arranger and producer. He helped create hit songs for other artists like Freddy Quinn. In 1945, Kaempfert met Hannelore, who became his wife a year later. They had two daughters, Marion and Doris.

Bert Kaempfert & His Orchestra

Kaempfert's orchestra had its first big hit with the song "Wonderland by Night". He recorded it in July 1959. The song was first released in America by Decca Records in 1960. It became a number one hit on the American pop charts. This made Bert Kaempfert and his Orchestra famous around the world.

Over the years, he brought back popular old songs. These included "Tenderly" and "Red Roses for a Blue Lady". He also wrote many of his own songs. Some of his famous compositions are "Spanish Eyes" (also known as "Moon Over Naples"), "Danke Schoen", and "Wooden Heart". These songs were recorded by famous singers like Al Martino, Wayne Newton, and Elvis Presley. Kaempfert was especially proud when Nat King Cole recorded his song "L-O-V-E".

Kaempfert's orchestra often used a lot of horns. Some of his songs, like "Magic Trumpet" and "The Mexican Shuffle", were also played by Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass. "The Mexican Shuffle" even became a famous TV commercial tune called The Teaberry Shuffle.

Helping The Beatles Start

Bert Kaempfert also played a part in the early days of the Beatles. In 1961, he hired them to play backup for singer Tony Sheridan. This was for an album called My Bonnie. Kaempfert recorded two songs with the Beatles themselves during these sessions. These were "Ain't She Sweet" (sung by John Lennon) and "Cry for a Shadow" (an instrumental song). These were the Beatles' first songs released to the public by Polydor Records.

A customer asked for "My Bonnie" at a music store in Liverpool. The store owner, Brian Epstein, was curious about a local band having a record out. This led him to discover the Beatles. Kaempfert helped the Beatles get out of their contract with Polydor. This allowed them to sign with George Martin and Parlophone Records.

Songwriting Success

Many artists recorded Bert Kaempfert's music throughout the 1960s.

• "Strangers in the Night" was a big hit for Frank Sinatra in 1966. Kaempfert wrote it for a movie.
• "Wooden Heart" was sung by Elvis Presley in his movie G.I. Blues in 1961. Joe Dowell's version of the song also became a number one hit.
• His instrumental song "Moon Over Naples" became "Spanish Eyes" when words were added. Al Martino made it famous.
• "Danke Schoen" became Wayne Newton's signature song.
• "L-O-V-E" was a hit for Nat King Cole.
• "Almost There" was a popular song for Andy Williams.
• His movie theme from 90 Minuten nach Mitternacht became "Love After Midnight". Patti Page and Jack Jones recorded it.
• "A Swingin' Safari" was the theme song for the TV game show The Match Game.
• "That Happy Feeling" was used as background music on children's TV shows.
• His album A Swingin' Safari had songs influenced by South African music.

In 1963, jazz trumpeter Bobby Hackett recorded an album of 12 Kaempfert songs. In 1967, jazz clarinetist Pete Fountain also recorded an album of Kaempfert's hits. The Anita Kerr Singers released a tribute album to Kaempfert in 1967. Even Jimi Hendrix included a part of "Strangers in the Night" in his guitar solo at the Monterey Pop Festival.

In 1968, jazz trumpeter Al Hirt recorded an album of Kaempfert's major hits. That same year, five of Kaempfert's songs won awards. Many of his hits were created with Herb Rehbein. Rehbein's death in 1979 deeply affected Kaempfert. Both were later honored in the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

In the 1970s, Kaempfert's music sales slowed down. But he kept recording new music. His version of the Theme from Shaft was very popular. He also started playing live concerts with his orchestra in 1974.

Kaempfert's music is still remembered today. The song "One Week" by the Barenaked Ladies even mentions him.

Working with Other Musicians

Bert Kaempfert worked with many talented musicians from West Germany and other parts of Europe. These included famous trumpeters like Charly Tabor and Manfred Moch. Trombonists like Åke Persson and Jiggs Whigham also played with him. Drummer Rolf Ahrens provided a simple but steady beat.

A special part of Kaempfert's sound came from guitarist/bassist Ladislav "Ladi" Geisler. He created the famous "knackbass" (crackling bass) sound. This was a sharp, short bass guitar sound. It was made by plucking the string and quickly stopping it. This unique sound became a key part of many Kaempfert recordings. Geisler even lent his guitar amplifier to The Beatles for their recording session with Tony Sheridan.

Death and Legacy

Street sign for Bert-Kaempfert-Platz, a street in Hamburg, Germany named in Kaempfert's honour.

Bert Kaempfert passed away suddenly from a stroke on June 21, 1980. He was 56 years old and was at his home in Mallorca, Spain. This happened shortly after a successful concert in the United Kingdom.

A square in Hamburg, Germany, is named after him to honor his memory. It is called Bert-Kaempfert-Platz.

Discography

The titles listed are for European releases. U.S. releases might have different names.

N.A. singles

Albums

See also

In Spanish: Bert Kaempfert para niños