Born on July 21, 1955 to Dutch parents in Djakarta/Indonesia, TACO spent his childhood and youth in Indonesia, Singapore, Holland, USA, Luxembourg, Germany and Belgium. He attended the “International School of America” everywhere and graduated in Brussels in 1973. He then studied interior design and graduated from drama school in Hamburg!
Main roles in numerous school productions: “You’re A Good Man Charly Brown”, “Carousell”, “The Fantasticks”, “Fiddler On The Roof”, etc.
1975
First professional theater engagements in Hamburg: “Kindertheater”, member of the “Thalia Theater” (“Sweet Charity”, “Chicago”, “Three Musketeers”, etc.) as well as direction and choreography for the musical “Nightchild”.
1979
Played “Chino” in John Neumeier’s “West Side Story” at the Hamburg Opera! Founding of his first band “TACO`S BIZZ”………….. extensive tours through Germany! First engagements as a “back-up and demo singer” for various recording studios as well as assignments as a copywriter.
1981
First record deal with Polydor: two single releases for the “GRAND PRIX D’EUROVISION”.
1982 Release of “PUTTIN’ ON THE RITZ” on R.C.A.
1983-84
Extensive tours throughout Europe! Release of the album “AFTER EIGHT” in more than 40 countries. GOLD and PLATINUM in Scandinavia and Canada and GOLD in the USA for more than 1,000,000 units sold! Numerous European awards, first tour of North America with American musicians. Guest appearances on “Bob Hope TV Show”, “Merv Griffith”, “Alan Thicke”, “Solid Gold”, “Good Morning America”, “Saturday Night Fever” and a variety of local TV shows during the tour!
ABSOLUTE HIGHLIGHTS:
Meeting with President Ronald Reagan and his wife in the White House, position 4 in the BILLBOARD CHARTS, No. 1 in the CASH BOX CHARTS and award for “SINGER OF THE YEAR”!
1984
Release of the album “Let’s Face The Music”. Tour of Japan. Won the award for “BEST SINGER” at the Tokyo Music Festival with the song “Sayonara”! Almost non-stop touring and PR activities. Wrote and sang the theme song “Beware Of The Winners” for the film “Lassiter”.
1985
Release of the LP “Swing Classics” on Polydor. Many television appearances in Europe, live appearances with numerous well-known big bands!
1986
Release of the LP “Tell Me That You Like It”. Many tours as well as numerous television and radio appointments.
1987
Release of “Got To Be Your Lover” on Teldec…
1988
Publication of “Love Touch”. Personality show “Curtain Call” at the Macadam Theater. Extensive work as a “song writer” as well as a variety of gala appearances!
1989-91
Austria tour. TV roles in “Friedrichstadt Palast” and “The Legacy of the Guldenburgs” as well as film roles in “Karniggels”. Sang the title songs of the films “Bodo” + “Go Trabi Go”. Release of “Lady Of My Heart” + “Heartbreak City” on Ariola!
1992
Release of “Tico Tico” on Polydor. Various TV shows. Album production in Athens. Played “Cico” in the theater production “Marx Brothers Radio Show”.
1993
Launch of his trilingual music project “Taron X”. Release of “The Glory Of Love”. Founding of Taro Music Publishing! Numerous TV shows, numerous commercials on TV and radio (Chocolate Chew)………ETC……
1994-96
Main role (Dr. Propero) in the musical “SHAKESPEARE ROCK N ROLL” in Berlin, which had the longest run of all musicals! Producer and “singer-song writer” for K.L Music Production. K.L. products are currently “Dana Dragomir” and “Kid Creole And The Coconuts”. Film and TV appearances for the new Taco album. Lead role in “Shakespeare As We Like It” in Austria!
1997
Extensive work as a composer, lyricist and for commercials.
2000 – 08
Release of the CD “Soul Brothers” with Jeff Harrison. Extensive work as a screenwriter. Regular appearances as a gala singer with “Moonlight Affair” and “Brooklyn Bridge, The Band”. Occasional television appearances.
2009
Appearance on the Russian TV show “Songs of the 20th Century” with “Puttin’ On The Ritz” in the sequence about the 30s!
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November 27th: Performance with “Puttin’ on the Ritz” in the Moscow Olympic Stadium in front of more than 30,000 visitors!
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New performance program “Swing & Soul” with his band.
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Performance with “Puttin’ On The Ritz” in the “NEW YEAR’S EVE SHOW” in Moscow – around 84,000,000 viewers in more than 20 countries!
2010
Release of a complete re-recording of “Puttin’ On the Ritz” by Cleopatra Records/Los Angeles!!! TACO’s vocals were recorded in Germany and the backing tracks were recorded in Los Angeles!
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Regular appearances as a gala singer in Germany, Russia and Ukraine.
2011
1.3.: DingDing Music releases “Timeless Love”, written and produced by Edgar Rothermich and Matthias Muentefering in the late 1980s in Berlin and “remixed” in the USA at the end of 2010
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Appearance mi