Polo Hofer

Polo Hofer was a Swiss rock singer whose popularity spanned several decades, beginning in the 1970s and carrying on well into the next century. Born on March 16, 1945, in Interlaken, Bern, Switzerland, he began his recording career in the Swiss rock band Rumpelstilz. Founded in 1971 and comprising Hanery Amman (keyboard), Jürg Werren (guitar), Sämi Jungen (bass), and Hans Jungen (drums) in addition to Hofer (vocals), Rumpelstilz made their full-length debut in 1975 with Vogelfueter, followed by the albums Füüf Narre im Charre (1976), La Dolce Vita (1977), and Fätze u Bitze vo Geschter u Jitze (1978). The band scored a few Top Ten hits with "Teddybär" (1976), "Kiosk" (1976), and "Nadisna" (1977). In 1978, Hofer split from Rumpelstilz and founded Polo's Schmetterding. They made their eponymous full-length debut that same year, followed by the albums Tip-Topi-Type (1979), Enorm in Form (1981), and Papper-la-Papp (1982). The band scored a number three smash hit in 1980 with "Radio 24." Hofer next embarked on a solo career, making his full-length album debut in 1984 with Polovinyl. His second album, Giggerig (1985), which introduced Polo Hofer & die SchmetterBand, was a major success, reaching number two on the Swiss charts. Although Hofer & die SchmetterBand's next album, Im Wilde Weste (1986), was a bit less successful, peaking at number ten, Hofer and company topped the albums chart for the first of several times to come with their next album, Rütmus, Bluus + Schnälli Schue! (1988). Practically all of Polo Hofer & die SchmetterBand's subsequent albums were chart-toppers, including Eden (1990), Travailler C'Est Trop Dur (1992), and Welcome i Dr Sonderbar (1994), among many others. Hofer's greatest hits were compiled on a series of compilations including 1984-1991: 15 Starke Songs (1991), 1987-1994: Weitere 15 Starke Songs (1995), and Silber, Gold & Perle (2004). Polo Hofer died on July 22, 2017 at the age of 72. ~ Jason Birchmeier, Rovi