#Metoo in rock world: accusations against Rammstein singer Lindemann pile up | show
--
The iconic front man of the German metal band Rammstein, Till Lindemann, finds himself embroiled in what can already be described as the biggest Metoo scandal in the German music industry. After an alleged drugging at a concert in Vilnius, several young women accuse him of abuse of power, violence and sexual misconduct.
At least two women allegedly had sex with Lindemann against their will, NDR reports South German Zeitung after discussions with dozens of people involved.
Rammstein regularly recruited young women so that Lindemann could have sex with them. A ‘refined system’ served to entice female fans to meet their great idol. Lindemann forced himself on the women through alcohol and drugs, SZ outlines in a disconcerting investigative story. Lindemann has not yet responded to all allegations.
The candidates were scouted by groupies prior to the Rammstein shows and placed in ‘Row zero’, close to the stage, so that the fans could immediately disappear backstage afterwards. This includes 23-year-old Cynthia A., who attended a concert in Hanover in 2019. “I resisted the sex,” she claims. In a hotel, another young woman allegedly had sexual intercourse with Lindemann against her will and until she bled. The female fans were lured with work or money. But little of those promises came to fruition.
On May 22, Rammstein performed in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius. Among the fans in attendance was Northern Irish Shelby Lynn. It was this 24-year-old Lynn who accused Lindemann of drugging her prior to the show last week.
The band immediately denied the allegations on Twitter. Lindemann tweeted that he hadn’t even touched Lynn — something the fan didn’t claim either. Lynn did claim that she was offered alcohol and that the singer asked her to sleep with him afterwards. In his own words, Lynn refused, after which Lindemann left furiously.
Although a drug test carried out by the Lithuanian authorities was negative, several women have had the same experiences with Lindemann, according to the conversations NDR and SZ had with the alleged victims.
The anonymous statements seem to open the cesspool of the German music industry. It’s high time for Metoo in rock Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. Other well-known Germans have also had to suffer for a year. Recently actor and director Til Schweiger (Inglorious bastards) and former editor-in-chief of boulevardkrant Image Julian Reichelt out of favor with the German public due to Metoo scandals.
The four Rammstein concerts taking place this month at the Olympiastadion in Munich sold out in no time. It is unclear whether the total of 240,000 people will actually see the band. Rammstein’s management has not yet responded to questions from German media. The German publisher KiWi did not wait and ended the collaboration with Lindemann on Friday afternoon.
After its foundation almost thirty years ago, Rammstein grew into an absolute European rock sensation. The six members, most of whom came from the poor GDR, scored one hit after another and also ended up at the top of the charts in the Netherlands with songs like I will, Free fire and America. The band has caused controversy through its sex-drenched lyrics and poems, but also through charged video clips such as Deutschland, an undisguised reference to Nazi Germany.
Watch all our Show & Entertainment videos here:
Free unlimited access to Showbytes? Which can!
Log in or create an account and don’t miss a thing of the stars.
