Guildo Horn: “The Eurovision Song Contest is no longer my competition”

"Finally, normal people!" – that's what you thought when you began your social year at a Lebenshilfe workshop for people with disabilities in Trier at the age of 21. What made them normal people?

Because of their lower intellect, people with intellectual disabilities are often unable to reflect on themselves. This has disadvantages but, in my opinion, also advantages. If you don't have to constantly question yourself, you can simply show yourself as you really are. I find this extremely pleasant when dealing with other people. In our modern society, "normal" people are constantly trying to present themselves as better than they actually are. We reflect on ourselves far too much and compare ourselves to others: Is my hair in the right place? Am I well-received? Am I selling myself well enough? It is so refreshing to meet people who are simply who they are. I stumbled into this social year after a failed relationship - and it was pure love.

You say your friends there made you the "Guildo" you are today. How did that happen?

I was in my early twenties and had decided I wanted to become a studio musician – following the US model, playing with great craftsmanship and precision. And then you suddenly meet mentally disabled people, with whom things are completely different. And you realize: They have much more fun making music than I do! They open up and let their hair down musically! And I couldn't do that back then. When I was on stage with my band, I used to be pretty uptight. It was like shedding my skin – I was basically peeled off my skin.

"I used to be pretty uptight": pop musician Guildo Horn (63).

Source: Rolf Vennenbernd/dpa

It felt like a gift?

Yes! Inclusion is a trade-off. It's not like some people just give and others just take. I was 21 at the time and partied a lot and excessively with my two best friends. We were an infernal trio and pretty much blew ourselves away. And when I came into the workshop in the morning, completely exhausted, and Kerstin, a supported employee, took me in her motherly arms, nurtured me emotionally, rolled me cigarettes, and made me sandwiches, I felt good again.

How big is the overlap between Horst Köhler and Guildo Horn?

There's already enough overlap. I like people, both as Horst and as Guildo, and I'm not at all shy. I use music primarily as a means of communication, to give the audience and myself an unforgettable experience. You have to be able to immerse yourself in that, and that's exactly what I learned at Lebenshilfe. I can do that—even when entire continents are collapsing outside.

What kind of child were you? Loud? Quiet?

Acoustically, I was loud to the point of being unbearable. I grew up in social housing in Trier, and at times our neighbors were extremely stressed by me. I was constantly yelling and was always hoarse. The pediatrician told my mother, "He's just a screamer." Despite that, I didn't constantly push myself to the forefront. I could spend days just thinking about myself. Getting attention was definitely never something I was driven to do. I accept the applause I get today with humility. It's not meant for me personally, but for my fictional character, which I created to be able to be so extroverted. It's just a part of my personality that I play out as "Guildo."

"As a drummer, I've played my way through all genres": Guildo Horn at a 2022 stage appearance in Siegen.

Source: Regine Wenzel

Where did the love of music come from?

When I was nine, I was given a guitar. It was from Quelle or Neckermann, and it became my constant companion. A totally cheap thing with steel strings like an egg slicer. We didn't have much money. My fingers bled, but I didn't give up.

Your diploma thesis in education had the beautiful title "Liberation from Reason." What was its core thesis?

Originally, I wanted to write about the shamanic effects of music and intertwine the topic with my work with people with disabilities. Because my professor stopped me, I tried to scientifically compare classical music therapy with a Guildo Horn concerto.

Ultimately, your art is also about "liberation from reason." Is "growing up" overrated? Does it result in more loss than gain?

I'm not a child inside of a man. I'm a man, a husband, and a father, not a big boy. I act responsibly and rationally. But when I go on stage, I can and want to leave that rationality behind. Everyone should find their own thing where they blend in with themselves. Because that feels really good.

"Finally normal people!": Guildo Horn (.) talks to Rudi Leist, singer of the group "Die Combo" in 2003.

Source: picture alliance / dpa

Your new audiobook, "Die Guildomacher," is based on your autobiographical novel "DoppelIch," inspired by the Grimme Award-winning talk show "Guildo and His Guests." At the time, it was a big step to meet mentally disabled guests on equal terms. In the foreword, you state that "the time calls for a new publication." Why?

I was appalled when I read the new US President's reaction to the plane crash in Washington shortly after his inauguration. He defamed disabled people and railed against diversity before it was even clear what had happened. It blew my mind. And here in Germany, too, interested parties are speaking out against inclusion. Disability programs are being halted without reason, and I don't want to stand idly by. Despite all the humor that usually characterizes my work, I feel a responsibility to my disabled friends to speak out, especially in these times!

They promote the “power of inclusion”.

Exactly. Inclusion is a two-way street. You get something in return! But most of the people who yell against inclusion have never had contact with people with disabilities and aren't really in a position to judge. My audiobook isn't dry, dry technical literature. I wrote it off the cuff, without a safety net. Education and enlightenment are most effective in the guise of entertainment anyway. For those who maliciously trample on disability work against their better judgment, all hope is lost. But for those who just go along with it out of ignorance, I'd like to tell you about myself and my life's journey among the mentally disabled.

Do you have an explanation for the fact that tolerance levels are falling again, including in dealing with people with disabilities?

When the wind gets rough, people attack the weakest of the weak. This is the easiest way to ignore other deficits in society. Yet the fate of becoming disabled can strike you or me at any time. I would like to live in a society where people are kind to one another and show solidarity. I am stunned by this medieval mentality, in which the strong and rich shamelessly dominate others.

7th place for a pop music fan: Guildo Horn at the ESC 1998 in Birmingham.

Source: Katja Lenz/dpa/Archive image

"Guildo loves you" was the message back in 1998 when you competed in the Eurovision Song Contest. Where did this love for Schlager come from?

As a drummer, I've thrashed through all genres. My great-aunt had an AEG jukebox that constantly played German post-war hits, like "Der lachende Vagabund" by Fred Bertelmann. That's when it hit me! And because it always bothered me that Schlager music was so frowned upon, I embarked on a crusade of tenderness. I wanted to save this music and play it the way it was meant to be played, sort of like "German soul" with a rock band.

Germany came last at the 1995 Eurovision Song Contest and wasn't even allowed to participate in 1996. How did you get involved?

I submitted my first application in 1996 with the slogan "Let the miracle be love" and was miserably rejected by the jury. Then I decided: I'm going on a hunger strike to draw attention to the shortcomings in the rules. We held a "bed-in" and invited journalists. I actually think I didn't eat for two hours that morning. In the meantime, though, we went to a Chinese restaurant. A year later, NDR, with Jürgen Meier Beer, took over responsibility for the Eurovision Song Contest, the rules were changed, and my record company selected us.

Success 27 years ago: After his victory in the German preliminary round for the ESC 1998, pop singer Guildo Horn (r) embraces the composer and lyricist of his song "Guildo hat euch lieb", Alf Igel alias Stefan Raab.

Source: Ingo Wagner/dpa

How did Stefan Raab come to write your ESC song?

We were looking for a suitable title. And Raab was simply one of the composers who sent us titles. It wasn't a concerted effort.

How do you see the ESC today?

It's fantastic that viewers across Europe are voting, cheering, and listening. I watched the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest with my 13-year-old daughter, and there were some great songs, like "Boys Do Cry" from Belgium. But last year, for the first time, I thought: This isn't my competition anymore. I'm getting too old. I just didn't really like anything anymore. The artists are overwhelmed by these video walls. They themselves are just a tiny part of the production. I'm a purist. I like handcrafted vintage music with good melodies. This year, parallel to the Eurovision Song Contest, I'm performing with a band for people with disabilities at the "1st Inclusive Music Festival" in Trier; that's important to me.

Despite all its grandeur, has the ESC lost its soul?

I think so. I like music the most in the "black box" style. You have a stage, nothing on it. And you have an artist. They have to reach you with their music, their talent, and their soul. And for everything else, I watch a video clip.

What do you think of the German entry “Baller” by Abor & Tynna?

I think both artists are fantastic; they have a great charisma and come across brilliantly. Musically, it's not my thing at all. But I'm keeping my fingers crossed for them.

You once wrote, "Mediocrity is completely unnatural." What do you mean by that?

Every person has so many facets and is so individual, unique, and quirky – it's simply a shame that the majority of the population tries to escape into mediocrity and doesn't dare to show themselves as the people they truly are. That's unnatural. And that's exactly why I thought back then in Trier: "Finally, normal people!"

Mr. Horn, thank you very much for this interview.

ABOUT GUILDO HORN

Guildo Horn, born Horst Heinz Köhler on February 15, 1963 in Trier, is a pop singer, presenter, and actor. After graduating from high school, he completed a year of social work in a workshop for people with disabilities and then studied education at the University of Trier. After graduating, he worked as a music therapist before emerging as a pop singer in 1991. He became known for his ironic pop lyrics and extravagant stage outfits. In 1998, he represented Germany at the Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Guildo hat euch lieb!" (Guildo Loves You!), written by Stefan Raab, and achieved seventh place. In addition to music, Horn is an active actor and has hosted various TV and radio shows. Privately, he is committed to supporting people with disabilities and promoting equal rights for civil partnerships. In his new audio book "Die Guildomacher" (Fine Voices, €9.99), he promotes inclusion and talks about his experiences working with people with disabilities. Guildo Horn lives with his family in the Bergisches Land.