July 31, 2018

Photo credits: M. Nobach Bergen

Nils Nobach was one of Germany’s most succesful writers and producers of Schlager music in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. Under the pseudonym Peter Ström he also raised his reputation as a lyricist in this musical style, also creating catchy lyrics and melodies for several movie soundtracks.

Nils Nobach (Kurt Wilhelm Ernst Nobach) was born on July 31, 2018 in Neustrelitz/Mecklenburg, Eastern Germany, in the „Niekrenschen“ nursery, that belonged to his grandparents. Due to the harsh postwar period his parents Martha Niekrenz and Paul Nobach decided to move to Sweden – together with the little „Kurding“ (Nils‘ nickname) – where they lived for several years. When Nils turned 10 years old the family returned to Hamburg, Germany where his father started a new job as a customs officer. His father died when Nils was 16 years old. In the age of 21 Nils went to the famous Deutsches Schauspielhaus in Hamburg.

After stations in Stralsund and Cottbus Nils was offered a job at the NWDR to create his own show „Was ist Swing“ (What Is Swing).  After a short time though Nils realised that this wasn’t enough, that he wanted to produce his own music. The label Austrofon, one of the biggest labels at that time, signed him immediately. He learnt the art and got introduced into the busines by the famous Gerhart (Moshe) Mendelsson. After that Nils led a Austrofon department in Hamburg. He changed his job in 1950 and joined Teldec, where he worked together with Herbert Grenzebach.

Without question one of his most famous lyrics in our publishing catalogue Nobach created for the song „Ein Italiano“ („An Italian“), a song originally composed for the CCC-Gloria film „Marina“ by Charly Niessen. „Ein Italiano“ was performed by Rocco Granata, an Italian singer of mainly Schlager music, which also caused great success for him in Germany as well.

Nobach and Niessen had a huge impact on the use of Schlager music for films at their time creating various songs together. The Soundtrack for „Marina“ is a pure treasure trove, containing diverse hits and presenting the very unique composing style of Charly Niessen and the great flair of Nils Nobach’s lyrics.

„Minnetonka Mady“ is a great example how versatile the soundtrack of „Marina“ is. With the songs "Tingelingeling, Mein Banjo Singt", "Ein Sonntag Ohne Dich" and "Penny-Melodie" the soundtrack contains several well-known hit-like songs from that era and shows all the great talent Nils Nobach had for creating great, memorable lyrics.

Now let’s immerse in the charm of the mid 60s and join in on this great reminiscence of Nils Nobach.

(Thanks to M. Nobach-Bergen for the additional information)