Andreas Gabalier: Controversial superstar in lederhosen remains authentic!

Andreas Gabalier: Controversial superstar in lederhosen remains authentic!

Andreas Gabalier, who is known as the people's rock'n'roller, is always a topic of conversation. The Austrian musician has made a name for himself in the music world with his performances in sold-out arenas. Since his first appearance on “Welcome to Carmen Nebel” in April 2011, he has found both fans and critics. Gabalier typically wears his trademark leather pants, sunglasses and wide grin. He doesn't see his style as a disguise, but as part of his identity.

Despite his success, Gabalier often faces critical voices. Many accuse him of being conservative and traditional. Critics particularly adore his music and complain that everyone has the right to decide for themselves whether they want to hear his songs. In his music he compares this choice to choosing different foods, which has led to intense debate about his artistic freedom.

Criticism and controversy

However, the allegations against Gabalier go far beyond personal opinions. He is repeatedly confronted with serious accusations, including that he is right-wing, homophobic and misogynistic. This prejudice was fueled, among other things, by the support of the xenophobic organization Pegida, which launched the “Gabalier Cross Challenge”. In addition, his third album “Volksrock’n’Roller” caused a stir, especially the cover, which was released in 2011 and is considered provocative. The “Standard” described the presentation as reminiscent of a swastika. Gabalier explained that he was not aware of these associations and felt misunderstood.

Another controversial highlight was his appearance at the 2015 Amadeus Awards, where he expressed controversial views on heterosexuality. He also criticized the devaluation of traditional values ​​and expressed disrespect for transgender people. In a 2014 interview in which he sang the Austrian national anthem with the old lyrics, he avoided mention of "big daughters", which attracted additional criticism.

Gabalier and his statements

Despite the multitude of allegations, Gabalier emphasizes that he respects women and sees no reason to change the anthem's lyrics. He swears by equality, but also values ​​traditional roles. In his song “Have an Opinion” he addresses strong views and personal opinions and has occasionally qualified his statements in the past, especially under public pressure.

A concrete example of the divergence between Gabalier and his critics is one of his statements in which he talks about protecting children's ideas about sexuality. Gabalier rejected the accusations of homophobia, saying he had respect for children and wanted to protect them from negative influences.

Overall, Andreas Gabalier remains a controversial figure in the music scene, whose songs evoke a wide range of emotions, from admiration to outrage. His approach to tradition and his public persona continue to be a hotly debated topic.