Oliver Riedel
The tallest member and founding bassist of Rammstein, known for his private life and computer literacy.
Oliver "Ollie" Riedel (born 11 April 1971) is a German musician, best known as one of the founders and the bassist of Neue Deutsche Härte band Rammstein. Standing at 6 ft 7 in (2 m), he is the tallest member of the band. Riedel is known to live a private life and rarely gives interviews. He is said to be the most computer-literate member of Rammstein.
- Character role
- Bassist
- Stage name
- Ollie
- Affiliation
- Rammstein
- Status
- Active Member
- Instrument
- Electric Bass
Lore & Background
Riedel co-founded Rammstein in 1994 with Richard Kruspe and Christoph Schneider under the name Tempel (sometimes spelled Temple). Till Lindemann joined the lineup later. Together, they entered the Berlin Senate Metrobeat contest in 1994 and won a recording session in a professional studio. Paul Landers and Christian "Flake" Lorenz later joined, and the band was renamed Rammstein. Before Rammstein, Riedel played in a folk/punk band called the Inchtabokatables starting in 1992.
Reader's Guide
As a musician, Riedel is primarily a fingerstyle player, although he uses a pick for most songs when playing live. In certain softer songs, he 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. His known gear includes Sandberg California PM, Sandberg Terrabass signature model, MusicMan Stingray (used during the early days), 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), and Ampeg 8x10 Cabs. He also uses selected overdrive/fuzz pedals for songs such as "Mein Teil" and "Rosenrot." Riedel's discography with Rammstein includes Herzeleid (1995), Sehnsucht (1997), Mutter (2001), Reise, Reise (2004), Rosenrot (2005), Liebe ist für alle da (2009), Rammstein (2019), and Zeit (2022).
Did You Know?
- Oliver Riedel was born in Schwerin on 11 April 1971.
- In 2022, he auctioned off two of his signature Sandberg basses for aid organizations in Ukraine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Oliver Riedel?
He is the bassist for the German industrial metal band Rammstein and goes by the stage name Ollie. As an original member, he has been with the group since its formation in the early 1990s.
What instrument does Oliver Riedel play?
Oliver plays the electric bass guitar, providing the heavy low-end foundation for the band's music. His rhythmic support is crucial to their distinctive industrial sound.
Is Oliver Riedel still in the band?
Yes, he remains an active member of Rammstein today. He continues to perform live and contribute to studio recordings alongside his original bandmates.
What is Oliver Riedel's role in the band's dynamic?
Often positioned behind the frontman visually, he acts as a stoic anchor for the group's sonic identity. His presence ensures the driving heartbeat of their performances remains solid.
Why is Oliver Riedel important to Rammstein?
He helped shape the band's unique sound from the very beginning in the early 90s. Without his foundational bass lines, their heavy industrial metal style would lack its core power.
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