Oliver Riedel
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Oliver "Ollie" Riedel ({{#invoke:IPA|main}}; born 11 April 1971)<ref name="Betts2004">Template:Cite book</ref> is a German musician, best known as one of the founders and the bassist of {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} band Rammstein.<ref name="Ashton2006">Template:Cite book</ref>
Early life
Riedel was born in Schwerin on 11 April 1971.<ref name=":8">Template:Cite magazine</ref> Growing up, he had relatively good relationships with both of his parents, which he attributes to the small gap between their ages.<ref name=Rammimages>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> As a child, he was not a good student, but he made his way through school with the assistance of his mother. Riedel was quite shy, especially during his teenage years; while his friends partied, he would often be found just "hanging around".
Career
In 1992, Riedel began playing in a folk/punk band called the Inchtabokatables.<ref name=":5">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> That same year, he traveled to the southwest of the United States together with Richard Kruspe and Till Lindemann.<ref name=":8" /> In 1993, Riedel co-founded a new project named Tempelprayers with Kruspe and Christoph Schneider.<ref name=":8" /> Together with Lindemann, they entered the Berlin Senate Metrobeat contest in 1994 and won a recording session in a professional studio.<ref name=":2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Paul Landers and Christian "Flake" Lorenz would later join the band, which was then renamed to Rammstein.<ref name=":7">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=":8" />
Personal life
Riedel has two children.<ref name=Rammimages/> He enjoys photography and sports, especially skateboarding and surfing.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> He is the tallest member of Rammstein, standing at 6 ft 7 in (2 m).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Riedel is known to live a private life and rarely gives interviews.<ref name=":8" /> He is said to be the most computer-literate member of Rammstein.Template:Citation needed In 2022, Riedel auctioned off two of his signature Sandberg basses as part of the Gear For Hope music auction where proceeds were donated to aid organizations in Ukraine.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Musicianship
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Technique
Riedel is primarily a fingerstyle player, although he uses a pick for most songs when playing live.
In certain softer songs, Riedel has been known to play with a banjo style plucking technique with his right hand to play arpeggiated chords, such as in "Seemann". He also plays the acoustic guitar introduction to "Tier" and "Frühling in Paris" during live shows.
Gear
His known gear is:
- Sandberg California PM
- Sandberg Terrabass signature model
- MusicMan Stingray (used during the early days of the band)
- ESP Eclipse bass (used during the Sehnsucht tour)
- Sandberg Plasmabass 4-string custom built model
- Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver DI
- Glockenklang Heart-Rock Amp (Later rig)
- Ampeg SVT-II (Early rig)
- Ampeg 8x10 Cabs
Riedel also uses selected overdrive/fuzz pedals for songs such as "Mein Teil" and "Rosenrot".
Discography
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- Rammstein
- Herzeleid (1995)
- Sehnsucht (1997)
- Mutter (2001)
- Reise, Reise (2004)
- Rosenrot (2005)
- Liebe ist für alle da (2009)
- Rammstein (2019)
- Zeit (2022)