366 | Falco

From an early age, his exceptional musical talent was evident. As a child, he possessed perfect pitch and was admitted to the conservatory in Vienna, where he studied double bass. Although he did not complete his studies, this period laid the foundation for his later musical development. In the 1970s, he played in several bands and gained experience in the Viennese music scene, including with the group Drahdiwaberl.

His breakthrough came in 1981 with the hit Der Kommissar. The song became a major success in Europe. In 1983, an English-language cover was released by the British band After the Fire, which charted highly in the United States. As a result, Falco himself also gained international recognition.

His biggest global hit followed in 1985 with Rock Me Amadeus, a tribute to the Austrian composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The song reached number one in several countries, including the United States. With this achievement, Falco became the first Austrian artist ever to have a number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100. The accompanying album Falco 3 marked his international breakthrough.

More hits followed, such as Vienna Calling (1985), in which he described modern city life in a satirical way. In 1986, he released Jeanny, a song that caused controversy because of its dark story about a missing girl. Despite—or perhaps because of—that controversy, it became a major hit in German-speaking countries. The sequel, Coming Home (Jeanny Part 2), was also released in 1986 and achieved high chart positions. These songs represent only part of his extensive repertoire, in which he uniquely combined pop, rock, rap, and new wave.

Falco was known not only for his music but also for his flamboyant lifestyle and outspoken personality. He was often regarded as an enfant terrible of European pop music. His sharp lyrics, ironic attitude, and media-savvy appearances made him both admired and controversial.

On 6 February 1998, he was killed in a car accident in the Dominican Republic, where he was staying at the time. The song Out of the Dark (Into the Light) was released posthumously and once again became a major hit.

With his international successes, innovative style, and unmistakable charisma, Falco remains an iconic figure in the history of pop music and one of the most famous Austrian artists of all time.