DJ Ötzi

Responsible for spreading the catchy anthem 'Hey Baby' across Europe, DJ Ötzi started out hosting karaoke nights in a small bar in Austria, before finding stardom with his party classic in 2000.

Born in the market town of St Johann in Tirol, West Austria, Gerhard Friedle was given up for adoption as a baby. He completed an apprenticeship to become a chef which led to him working in a restaurant in the skiing town of Solden, and when a DJ friend invited him to perform and later host a local karaoke night, Friedle gradually ended up entertaining holiday makers on resorts in Turkey and Mallorca. He was diagnosed with cancer in 1998, but still managed to build his reputation as a high-energy DJ and he made his recording debut when he featured on the German chart-topping single 'Anton aus Tirol' by schlager singer Anton in 1999. The success of the collaboration helped him launch a solo career, but few could have expected his re-make of the 1961 country-pop ballad 'Hey Baby' by Texas crooner Bruce Channel would transform into such a hit. The single's singalong chorus and euphoric, synth-pop swagger quickly made it a favourite and by 2001 the track was topping charts in the UK, France, Australia, Japan and Ireland.

His follow-up cover version of 'Doo Wah Diddy Diddy', made famous by Manfred Mann in 1964, also made the UK top ten and the album 'Love, Peace and Volgas' was typically full of bouncy, neon, bubblegum pop, as he continued to dominate the charts in German-speaking countries with singles such as 'A Ram Sam Sam', 'Burger Dance' and 'Ein Stern (Der Deinen Namen Tragt)'. Although he never repeated the success of 'Hey Baby', he remains a hugely popular novelty act across Europe and celebrated his 20-year recording career with album '20 Jahre DJ Ötzi - Party Ohne Ende' in 2019.