Manager on the Rammstein case "Row Zero already existed with Heino"

Carlotta Henggeler

3.7.2024

The TV talk show "Hart aber fair" focuses on the Rammstein case. The guest is music manager Thomas Stein, who knows Till Lindemann personally. He defends the rocker and claims that Row Zero has always existed.

The Rammstein case is making waves again, this time on television. Band frontman Till Lindemann is accused of having exploited power structures to pressure women into sexual acts.

Specifically, it is also about the "Row Zero" system, which refers to the allegedly pre-selected fans who are allowed to stand directly in front of the stage at Rammstein shows and are invited to the after-show party afterwards.

Young, attractive women were specifically selected and then passed on to Till Lindemann.

The WDR talk show "Hart aber fair" with host Louis Klamroth discusses: "The Rammstein case and the question: men, have you really not moved on yet?"

Among the illustrious guests is Thomas Stein, who is no stranger to the German music scene: The 74-year-old was the German head of the BMG record label and has already sat alongside Dieter Bohlen on the "DSDS" jury. And he knows Till Lindemann personally.

Thomas Stein warns against prejudging

So Thomas Stein is an industry expert. Row Zero, in which loyal fans stand right next to the stage, is "nothing new" for him.

The former music manager adds: "People who stand by the stage and see nothing, but are seen, that's always happened. It happened with Gotthilf Fischer, it happened with Heino, it happened with Roberto Blanco," Bild.de quotes Stein from the talk show.

In the "Hart aber fair" show, music manager Thomas Stein takes a stand and appeals: "Someone is really being extremely prejudiced here. (...) As long as the accusations have not been proven, we should be very careful about apportioning blame."

According to Stein, there is currently a danger that Rammstein will fall apart.

Journalist Lohaus contradicts

Stefanie Lohaus, journalist and project manager of the "Gemeinsam gegen Sexismus" campaign, was also on the "Hart aber fair" panel.

She contradicted Stein. "I'm usually rather cautious," says Stefanie Lohaus about the suspicions against Rammstein singer Till Lindemann on the show, "but what convinced me once again was the incredibly intensive media coverage."

Because, Lohaus continued in the TV talk: "I know that journalists handle things very carefully, that many sources are needed, that sworn statements are required and that media coverage has never happened so quickly. And that really convinced me."

More about Rammstein: