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Systems In Blue
A brief summary of the SIB history
>> The true story about Modern Talking
September 3, 1984; three singers were called to the Arnie Music Studio in Hamburg for a test session. Their names were: Rolf Köhler, Birger Corleis and Michael Scholz.
In the studio, they met with composer and producer Dieter Bohlen, they also met Luis Rodriguez and German singer Thomas Anders. During this day, they recorded four songs. A normal German song, a disco song with German and English lyrics, and finally a song that could become a megahit "You're My Heart, You're My Soul". Actually, at that time they didn't know which style to choose, but after many hours of work, they created a totally new and unmistakable sound. From this moment on, the "Modern Talking" genre began.
For the arrangement, backing vocals and the first vocals of the recorded songs, the musicians were paid $350. Within a short time, with no advertising and no video clip, "You're My Heart, You're My Soul" started to become number one in the German charts. This sensation came about with the help of radio DJs. The team in the studio had created a new sound that became unique, many other music producers tried to copy and duplicate the new style.
The main feature of the Modern Talking sound was the chorus, which consisted of singers with high-pitched voices. Singer and musician Detlef Wiedeke was assimilated with the time to complete and integrate this special choir, replacing Birger Corleis.
The great success was celebrated at a big party with more than 100 guests from the press, radio and music industry. Two speeches were given during the celebration.
One of the speakers was Dieter Bohlen. Bohlen's speech addressed the guests, colleagues and especially his group of singers. He acknowledged their excellent work and promised them that they would be considered for music licensing rights in the future. Unfortunately these were empty words. Undoubtedly, the first six Modern Talking albums would not have been as popular without the brilliant contribution of these four singers and musicians.
>> Before Systems In Blue
The story of Rolf Köhler, Michael Scholz and Detlef Wiedeke before Systems In Blue is the story of talented singers struggling for recognition. They are famous studio singers, who had known each other for many years in the Hamburg music scene. Rolf Köhler and Michael Scholz knew each other from their youth because they both played in different bands in the late 60's, followers of the hippie lifestyle, met and worked with different musicians in various musical projects, one of the most known was Kentucky. Later they started to produce some records and perform in different venues, that's how they started to grow and become known. It was in 1979 that looking for a guitarist, Michael Scholz met Detlef Wiedeke for the first time, destiny allowed the three of them to work together developing not only a good relationship as professionals but also as friends.
Working on the Straigh Flush project in 1984 on the Intercord label, Michael, Rolf and Birger Corleis were called to work on Dieter Bohlen's productions. Their involvement became pivotal and part of the success of projects like Modern Talking, but their own production as independent singers had to stop while they worked on it.
Rolf, Michael and Detlef also collaborated with Dieter Bohlen after Modern Talking's second comeback, but quit shortly after that. Unfair payment and lack of proper recognition for their work were cited as the reason.
In 2002 a curious single called "Its Haad Se Dieter Tuh Bie" by Dieter Talking was released, it was a surprise for the fans because the songs were considered masterpieces, but it was just a parody about Dieter Bohlen. Anyway, it was a first presentation of what they were capable of.
Rolf Köhler told that they always had the idea to recreate the music of Bohlen's former projects together like Blue System and also Modern Talking, because they had been doing this music for many years and knew quite a lot about it. After Modern Talking disbanded, there were many disappointed fans thinking that the sound could be lost, but a Bohlen fan named Thomas Widrat found them and proposed to make a new project to release new songs in this style, so they made the decision and the rest was history.
>> Birth of Systems In Blue
Systems In Blue was conceived on May of 2003, since Thomas Widrat, had the idea to produce modern music with the 80's style. The team was formed by Rolf Köhler, Detlef Wiedeke and Michael Scholz, they were the original backing group of Modern Talking and Blue System, so then within two months they decided to use the name of “Systems In Blue”, the heritage link was obvious.
The memory of their work alongside Dieter Bohlen in the past, served to form the inspiration for their first song, which was named "Magic Mystery", a song dedicated to the title of Blue System hit "Magic Symphony" from 1989. The inspiration and reflection of “Modern Talking” and “Blue System” was obvious in their songs.
To the fans around the world of this sound, the former groups are now fond memories, but now there was a chance to relive and enjoy this distinctive sound once again, presented by “Systems in Blue”.
>> Systems In Blue - First Era: The beginning
In the year 2003, two songs produced by Systems In Blue appeared. The first was a clear copy of the known song of Blue System, "Magic Simphony", they even called it in similar way, "Magic Mystery". The explanation was that they wanted to give an homage to this production of Dieter Bohlen. The tune and choir were almost the same, just sligh variations and a different lyric, all had a purpose and it was to show that in fact, there was not any doubt, those were the same voices of Blue System. Rolf Köhler was the second voice in the project of Bohlen, but he actually was the main voice there.
Magic Mystery in this way, got to call the attention of Bohlen fans and of course also to Modern Talking fans. Some fans and criticizers started to react and it showed that there was interest. The second song came out then. This was the first real Systems In Blue song and it was called "Every Little Thing". This song had many variations before finally to be released. The reaction was quite positive, we had a new masterpiece and everybody could agree, they created probably one of the more beautiful songs of their repertorie.
Despite were released only two songs, the new band called Systems In Blue, became a breath of inspiration and creativity to fans of this music style, the old Bohlen fans turned their sight to SIB members and they wanted to know and listen more about them. The road to Systems In Blue was ready. Rolf Köhler, Michael Scholz and Detlef Wiedeke, under the support of Thomas Widrat, were writing the story.
But still existed a doubt, would those guys, so called the real backvocal singers of the Bohlen productions, to reach success and make new hits?. SIB also had a production together the 80's disco star Patty Ryan, and both songs were perfect hits in ears of the Modern Talking fans.
The public was everytime interested to listen more and more. So after the release of Magic Mystery in 2004, a new single was announced and two new songs were on it, "Winner" and "Only For You", both songs counted with a special participation. The first had the collaboration of Christian Flühr, snowsport winner, they planned to record a videoclip, and "Only 4U" counted with the participation of Judith B. , participant of the show DSDS, she sang as vocal leader of this song together SIB. There was many expectation for it, and the feedback was positive. Both songs were a well done job, with perfect music and perfect voices, even the ballad "Only 4U" showed the big potential of those guys. All what SIB was doing became perfect, but still they didn't get enough public. Only few enthusiast fans started to follow them. At the end of 2004 a fan edition CD was released, the record actually had not a label, but was one of the more wanted releases. The rumour of a complete album was coming, the first SIB album, which would appear the next year.
In 2005, many things happened, a tragedy for the catholic world was when they lost the pope, but it also meant that a new one had to be chosen, a same phrase became popular then, and when SIB released their first album, that same words were expressed with a different context, fans exclamed relieved: "Habemus SIB!!". Point Of No Return was the first album of Systems In Blue, in fact it was a point of no return to them, no more test songs, no more experiments, this time was real, they were there as a formal new music band of eurodisco-discofox 80's in nowadays. The album had 13 songs, including the songs of the previous singles. But this same year they decided to release two homages more of a previous work in Blue System. The songs were releases as special Fan CDs, and they were called "Sexy Ann" and "System In Blue", homages to "Don't Do That" and "Deja Vu".
The year ended with the release of a new single called "1001 Nights". This single had many expectation due that was the first formal, under a record label and would count with a videoclip which was included in the single too. It was well received but did not fulfill all the expectations, anyway more singles were released during 2006, including a collaboration with singers like Mark Ashley and Tommy Fischer. Some live shows and performings also happened during this time.
There came a first silence with SIB, until finally was released a new single called "Voodoo Queen" in 2007. This record got good sales and it motivated to SIB guys to release a second album. Also the work together the singer Mark Ashley let fans begging for more. Some fans claimed that Mark's voice was similar to Thomas Anders, so a song of Mark together SIB, was like Modern Talking again. The decision was done and SIB was going to produce the new album of Mark Ashley. Two new releases were coming and both a promise of assured success.
>> Systems In Blue - Second Era: The loss of Rolf
During 2007, SIB had some performings inside and outside Germany and two ambitious projects, their second album and the production of a complete new album to the singer Mark Ashley. The contact with fans was continues. SIB wanted to please them with new fresh songs and also introduced them to their own brand. While the first album was an introduction of the band to the old Modern Talking and Blue System fans, showing that their voices were the same that they heard in those 80's records. The second album was planned to be more personal, to show the real SIB with their own music. Rolf this time would not follow the sounds that he was commanded to do inside the songs of Blue System. This time he wanted to sing with his natural vocals. It was a fireproof then and a challengue that they were ready to assume, whatever would happen, this time was their time. But suddenly a tragedy truncated all plans. Working in the second album, Rolf Köhler suffered an apoplegic attack, nothing could be done for save him and he died after two days. The mourning invaded to all his followers, SIB fans were devastated, it seemed amazing that a thing like this could happen. And his friends and colleagues, Michael Scholz and Detlef Wiedeke, were not able to continue after so irreparable loss. Also the production to the singer Mark Ashley was half done. Fortunatly Rolf got to sing all his parts in the new songs of SIB, the album was almost ready. Took a time to the team to overcome the grief and get the new album ready, it was called "Out Of The Blue" and was released during the first months of 2008. The album was announced also as the "last" SIB album, something ambiguous that got the concern of SIB fans about the future of the band.
Some singles were released during this time as well, including a fan CD called "Jeannie Movistar", the first SIB production without the vocals of Rolf. This time Michael started to took the place he let. This single was probably the more sold during the first days, but unfortunately without a label, which did not allow them to enter in charts. The song was also not part of the coming album produced to Mark Ashley, it was only a virtual single as a previous promo to this album, but the album was officialy performed during the fan meeting of Mark Ashley where Michael and Detlef were specially invited to perform it. This album was called "Heartbreak Boulevard" and was recognized as "the new Modern Talking", fans were fascinated with the songs. Only the half of songs had the Rolf Köhler vocals.
The future of Systems In Blue was uncertain, fans expected some new single releases of the second album and even SIB members pushed for it, but nothing else came. The only stuff coming were some compilation CDs, classic Best Of, some remixes, but nothing different. A new project also gave his support to SIB, this was the project of Uli Eichblatt called Talking System (Modern System), they made covers of some old hits of Blue System and Modern Talking, reason for which they asked the participation of Michael and Detlef on it. The support also was to a production of an independent single with a song that the record label of SIB had not rights, the song "System In Blue", it was released in 2009 by Akasa Records, but this was all the help that this producer and label could give them.
Following years we continued having more compilation CDs released in other countries. The collaboration with Marco Lessentin seemed the only thing that kept to SIB working, they made some german schlager songs and gave the vocals to the Lessentin productions. Also some few performings were done, the first solo concert of SIB in Russia happened during that time too, it was in 2010 and only Michael and Detlef were on stage, there was always an empty place that nobody could replace.
>> Systems In Blue - Third Era: The comeback
During 2011 and 2012, some new mixes of SIB songs were also released on special CDs, megamixes and special versions, including unreleased instrumentals, but no new songs.
Some special releases were made with former SIB collaborator Thomas Widrat, who rejoined SIB after Rolf's death. Under his new project called Tonschatz, he released special tribute CDs with Rolf Köhler covers and demos, including the songs from the Heartbreak Boulevard album with Rolf's vocals. The special Mega Blue Box was also released, a great compilation CD for the most loyal SIB fans and SIB's work also continued with some collaborations to German schlager projects like Marco Lessentin and Die Dandys.
But it was in September 2012 when they performed for the first time in Poland, and they were not alone this time, a new guy was there singing with them, this guy was Olaf Senkbeil. He was announced by Detlef as support for those performances at the disco fest in Poland. Olaf's name was already known within some Rolf Köhler fans, due to his participation in some common productions and even with some Bohlen collaborations thanks to his link with Billy King. But nobody was sure that he would continue with them from now on.
The following year, Olaf again accompanied the SIB guys on stage, so he was already recognized and accepted as a new member of Systems In Blue. Olaf was not replacing Rolf, he was there to support SIB with his talent and bring back the energy in the shows that he, being about two decades younger than the others, could bring. It took a while for some fans to accept him, but with him also came the opportunity to hear new songs and a future new album.
The dilemma was always the same, the lack of financial support to produce a full album. So, during 2014 a crowfunding was opened for this purpose, even a new song was made where we could see Michael Scholz singing together with Olaf Senkbeil, the song was "Go Systems Go". Unfortunately the crowfunding was not successful. The possibilities for the new album stopped. Some fans then, decided to organize on their own, in order to keep and support this idea, creating a new crowfunding, this time with people who could even pay a much bigger amount of money to everyone to make it possible. But while the plan was being organized and planned, the French producer Johann Perrier who was also part of this new crowfunding group, took the initiative and decided to be the new producer of Systems In Blue. Thanks to his support a new EP with new songs was finally released, which was called "Back In Blue", becoming SIB's comeback. The public reacted positively to it, and more releases and finally the third SIB album were done.
Although some fans believe that Johann guides SIB to a different path, the SIB members themselves expressed their desire to move on and look for a new style, but that doesn't mean that they are going to leave the 80's eurodisco fans aside, as they will continue to do the classic versions and producers like Itamar Moraz and Karel Post made sure that this happen. Both produced a remixed 80's version of one of the songs from the third album, the song "There's No Heart". This was released only on vinyl and was a hit with Modern Talking's hardcore fans. SIB traveled to Netherlands to work with Karel and Itamar. Another important release came a year after with the EP "Blue Horizons" which included a new song written by Michael Scholz and another one by Olaf Senkbeil.
>> DO Passion and the Blue Universe
During October 2018, fans were surprised by a new sub-project within Systems In Blue, it was called DO Passion. The beginning was a bit confusing because although the style was almost the same as SIB, it had a different name. They then explained that while Michael Scholz was producing independent material and releasing his own records with French producer Johann Perrier, which kept him away and distant from them. They felt the need to follow his path as well. But this did not mean that they were divided or that the band was splitting up. Only that in order to keep the passion of creating new songs, they decided to do it on their own without Scholz this time. That's how the Blue Universe started to expand. We had on one side Michael and MS Project producing in a different studio and on the other Detlef and Olaf making their own songs, in the same SIB studio but maybe in a more "relaxed" way, because contrary to Systems In Blue, DO Passion had more freedom to explore and sound in styles not necessarily related to the new generation eurodisco scene. One song per month was planned and all were released in digital format.
Despite the success of DO Passion among SIB fans, some internal circumstances did not allow them to continue in the way they planned and the project stopped almost in the middle of 2019. Anyway one last song under the name of this project was released in 2020. With this release also were spread the news that Systems In Blue was working on the 4th album.
The pandemic situation during 2020 forced a general worldwide lockout and dashed SIB's chances to a live performance at some international festivals. But what to do during this time, when open concerts were no longer allowed and the reality of the musicians became difficult? The idea for the fourth album thus came about, thanks to Olaf Senkbeil who was the main driving force behind this album. He started to create the new melodies and music for this production.
The album was released in December 2020 in physical format, but it surprised the fans because this time it was not only SIB. The whole album called "Blue Universe" appeared being part of something bigger, so the album was actually Systems In Blue feat. DO Passion feat. MS Project.
SIB and DO Passion belonged to the same team but the inclusion of MS Project was solely due to the presence of Michael Scholz. This situation caused some confusion among fans at first, but the album was a well received production afterwards.
But the year could not end without another surprise, in this case a sad and controversial decision. Olaf decided to leave the band. The reasons were a series of circumstances that were not working out well for him, things also related to the sudden stop of the DO Passion project. After some time away from the band, he finally made that decision public through his social network.
A new strike destroyed the SIB fans, because Systems In Blue lost again a great voice. Anyway the possibilities of having Olaf's presence in some live shows or in some productions only as a backing vocalist were not denied. At least Olaf commented that in a first moment.
2021 continued with the digital release of Blue Universe including some bonus tracks and also a deluxe version of that album was announced with some extra remixes and instrumentals. Some Olaf songs that didn't make it to the fourth album will probably be released by Olaf solo in the future.
Without Olaf, MIchael and Detlef called again an old collaborator, the same one who was supporting after Rolf death, Michael Backens. But Michael and Detlef were alone again.
>> Michael and Detlef a new Era
After the departure of Olaf Senkbeil, the situation of Systems In Blue became uncertain again, Olaf was the engine and the source of creativity with his contribution to the band. But Michael and Detlef showed their desire to continue on their own and released the song "Look Up" in 2022, this song had an 80's remix version. With this began a new era for SIB. In 2023 was the 20th anniversary celebration and Michael wrote a new song to celebrate it, the song was "Aquarius", released only in digital but very well received.
This time SIB was invited to Peru, to celebrate their anniversary, only Michael could fly and joined again with Olaf who was also specially invited to this celebration. The party was a great experience for both of them and they even sang a couple of songs together again during the show. This little reencounter was brief but very meaningful. Although Olaf is no longer a member of Systems In Blue, he will always be part of their history.
>> Future and legacy
The history of Systems In Blue shows that they are a strong band that could survive and continue against all odds, nothing could stop them since they started, not even the loss of their main leader and their numerous productions, including a fourth album confirms that.
Currently they are very known inside the circle of eurodisco and italodisco new generation followers in all the world. And although is true that despite their tracks can get easily the top 1 inside the radio charts, they only got a relative success in official charts; however we know that SIB music is always included in the tracklist of any respectable music event like evergreens songs together other classics hits and Systems In Blue has become not only a band, but also a brand. Their voices continue being hired by different artists who which to count with the original Modern Talking choir inside their productions. The special way that they developed for sing in harmony is also being copied and reproduced by young singers who see them as their major inspiration.
For all that and more, Systems In Blue gained already a well deserved place inside the eurodisco music history.