Wikipedia

Daniel Küblböck

Daniel Dominik Kaiser-Küblböck[2] (born Küblböck; 27 August 1985 – 9 September 2018) was a German singer. He placed third in the television talent show Deutschland sucht den Superstar in 2003. In September 2018, he went missing at sea off Canada while travelling on a cruise ship. He was declared dead on 10 March 2021. Shortly before the disappearance, Küblböck stated he wanted to assume a female identity and began using the name Lana Kaiser.[3]

Daniel Küblböck
A brown-haired man with a beard and multiple tattoos performing on stage in a white shirt. He is holding a black microphone.
Küblböck in concert in 2016
Born
Daniel Dominik Küblböck

(1985-08-27)27 August 1985
Hutthurm, Lower Bavaria, West Germany
Disappeared9 September 2018 (aged 33)
Labrador Sea about 185 km north of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada[1]
StatusDeclared dead in absentia
10 March 2021
Other names
  • Daniel K.
  • Daniel Kaiser-Küblböck
  • Lana Kaiser
Occupations
  • Singer
  • television personality
Years active2002–2018
Musical career
Genres
InstrumentVocals

Career

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Küblböck rose to stardom in late 2002 when he participated in the first season of German talent show Deutschland sucht den Superstar (DSDS). He gained the most viewer votes in three of the nine rounds of the competition and received the second-most votes in a further three rounds. Together with other participants, Daniel recorded the album United which included the number 1 single "We Have a Dream". He finished the season in third place overall.[4]

After DSDS, Küblböck signed a contract with BMG. In March 2003, he released his debut solo single, "You Drive Me Crazy", which topped the German sales chart. The follow-up single, "Heartbeat", and Daniel's debut album Positive Energie both reached no. 2 in Germany and achieved major success in Austria and Switzerland. In September 2003, he launched a perfume line for children in three fragrances under his name.[5] He also released an autobiography Ich lebe meine Töne. Küblböck invested the proceeds from his album Positive Energie amounting to around one million euros in a solar plant in Lower Bavaria, which would bring him high monthly profits.[6]

In early 2004, he participated in Ich bin ein Star – Holt mich hier raus!, the German version of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!, where he came third. He then released a cover of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" which reached the top 10 in Germany and the top 40 on the Austrian and Swiss charts. His next single, the ballad "Teenage Tears", sold 10,000 copies.[7] In August, Küblböck's biographical musical film Daniel – Der Zauberer was released, in which he played a fictionalized version of himself. The film was critically panned and bombed at the box office. At the end of 2004, he released the charity single "Don't Close Your Eyes" with three others DSDS participants under the moniker 4 United, in support of Ärzte ohne Grenzen (Doctors Without Borders). It was a moderate chart success.

 
Küblböck performing in 2009

In 2005, Küblböck launched his own marketing company Positive Energie.[8] In November 2005, he released his second album, Liebe Nation, recorded in German.[9] It only reached no. 54 in Germany, and the accompanying single "König von Deutschland" was a moderate chart success. The next single, country-inspired "Born in Bavaria", was his last ever to chart. Küblböck's subsequent albums were released independently. 2009 saw the release of the jazz album Jazz Meets Blues... Wenn zwei sich verlieben and his first Christmas CD Leise rieselt der Schnee. The following year, he released Schrebergarten and a two-disc compilation Best of 2003–2010. None of these albums managed to enter any sales charts.

In 2011, he started hosting his own talk show Daniels Bistro. In 2012, he released the album Diez años Kúblbóck – Ich versteh’ nur Spanisch which included some material recorded in Spanish and influenced by Latin pop. As Daniel Kaiser he submitted the song "Be a Man" to the German national pre-selection for the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest, but it was rejected by the jury.[10] In spring 2015, he took part in the eighth season of the German dance show Let's Dance, where he finished sixth, together with his dancing partner Otlile Mabuse. In early 2016, he released his final album, Jesus Is My Lover.[9]

Personal life

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On 24 February 2004, Küblböck was injured when he collided with a truck while driving a car without a licence near Pfarrkirchen.[11] He was fined €25,000 and sentenced to eight hours of community service.[12]

Family

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Küblböck's parents were Günther, a German, and Bianca, a woman of Italian descent. He had four brothers: Andreas, Michael, Günther and Dennis, and one sister, Jasmin.[13]

While living in Mallorca, he met and befriended German millionaire Kerstin Elisabeth Kaiser who would later officially adopt him.[14] Daniel subsequently adopted the double-barrelled surname Kaiser-Küblböck.

Gender identity

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In 2010, Küblböck came out as gay, after previously describing himself as bisexual.[15]

Prior to his disappearance, Küblböck discussed wanting live out a female identity under the name "Lana Kaiser". He announced that he would have a gender reassignment surgery to become a woman, and that his hormone therapy had already started.[16][17] Shortly before the disappearance, Küblböck created an Instagram account with the name "Rosa Luxemburg", on which he described himself as a transsexual woman.[18]

In 2020, artist Philipp Gufler created a 13-minute short film and a magazine about Lana Kaiser.[19] The film was shown, among others, at the 67th Short Film Festival in Oberhausen[20] and in the group exhibition Sweat in the Haus der Kunst, Munich.[21]

2018 disappearance

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Küblböck was a private passenger on the cruise ship AIDAluna that left Hamburg on 29 August 2018, bound for New York City.[22] At around 5 a.m. (local time) on 9 September, he jumped overboard.[23] The vessel was in open waters about 185 km north of St. John's in the Labrador Sea.[24] The water temperature was about 10.5 °C (50.9 °F).[25]

The Canadian Coast Guard launched a search operation,[26][27] assisted by the cruise ships AIDAluna and MS Zuiderdam.[28] On 10 September, the search was abandoned, because the maximum survival time in cold water was exceeded.[29] Under German law, a person missing at sea can be declared dead after six months have elapsed and a motion is filed by an eligible party.[30] In August 2020, an application was submitted to declare Küblböck dead or to present evidence by 30 September 2020 that he is alive. On 10 March 2021, the Amtsgericht (district court) Passau declared Küblböck dead, setting his death date as 9 September 2018, 8:55 a.m. local time.[31]

In the weeks leading up to the disappearance, Küblböck's friends noticed changes in his personality and signs of psychological problems, unsuccessfully trying to dissuade him from going on the cruise.[32] Other passengers on the ship also reported Daniel's erratic behaviour, mood swings, and psychological problems.[33]

Discography

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Studio albums

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Year Title Chart positions Certifications
GER
[34] 		AUT
[35] 		SWI
[36]
2003 Positive Energie 2 11 13
2005 Liebe Nation 54 — —
2009 Jazz Meets Blues... Wenn zwei sich verlieben — — —
2010 Schrebergarten — — —
2012 Diez años Kúblbóck – Ich versteh' nur Spanisch — — —
2016 Jesus Is My Lover — — —

Christmas albums

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  • 2009: Leise rieselt der Schnee
  • 2010: Küblböckische Weihnacht – 24 Dates
  • 2011: Küblböckische Weihnacht – Ruhe vor dem Sturm

Live albums

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  • 2008: Zero to Sexy – Live
  • 2011: Schrebergarten – Live
  • 2012: El tiempo – Live
  • 2013: Diez años Kúblbóck – Ich versteh' nur Spanisch – Live
  • 2014: Die Küblböck Live Show

Compilations

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  • 2010: Best of 2003–2010

Singles

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Year Title Chart positions[38] Certifications Album
GER
[39] 		AUT
[35] 		SWI
[36]
2003 "You Drive Me Crazy" 1 4 10 Positive Energie
"Heartbeat" 2 5 11
2004 "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" 7 29 37 —
"Teenage Tears" 16 46 —
2005 "König von Deutschland" 29 67 — Liebe Nation
2007 "Born in Bavaria" 54 — — —
2010 "Bodenmais (moacht's eich auf)" — — — Best of 2003–2010
2012 "El tiempo" — — — Diez años Kúblbóck –
Ich versteh' nur Spanisch
"No destroces mi corazón" — — —
2013 "Berlin" — — —
"Amo el mar" — — —
"Ein Stück von dir" — — —
2014 "Angel" — — — Jesus Is My Lover
2015 "Save My Heart" — — —

Other appearances

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Year Title Chart positions Album
GER
[41] 		AUT
[41] 		SWI
[41]
2003 "We Have a Dream" (as member of DSDS All-Stars) 1 2 1 United
2004 "Don't Close Your Eyes" (as member of 4 United) 18 50 — —

DVDs

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  • 2004: Live on PE Tour 2003
  • 2004: My Life Is Magic
  • 2007: Jazz Night
  • 2008: Back to the Roots
  • 2009: Jazz Meets Blues... Wenn zwei sich verlieben
  • 2011: Schrebergarten Berlin
  • 2013: Diez años Kúblbóck – Ich versteh' nur Spanisch – Live in Berlin

Filmography

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  • 2003: St. Angela (TV series; guest appearance)
  • 2004: Daniel – Der Zauberer ("Daniel the Wizard" or "Daniel the Sorcerer") (feature film; starring as himself)
  • 2004: Crazy Race 2 – Warum die Mauer wirklich fiel (feature film; minor role)

TV shows

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Bibliography

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  • Küblböck, Daniel in collaboration with Julia Boenisch (2003). Ich lebe meine Töne. Munich: Random House, 223 pages. ISBN 3-8090-3021-X.
  • Küblböck, Daniel (2007). My Way: Konzertbildband August 2005 bis Dezember 2006. Positive Energie GmbH, 103 pages.
  • Küblböck, Daniel (2010). My Way 2: Konzertbildband 2007 bis 2010. Positive Energie GmbH.
  • Küblböck, Daniel (2017). My Way 3: Konzertbildband September 2010 bis April 2017. Positive Energie GmbH.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Daniel Küblböck weiter vermisst – 'Aidaluna' setzt Reise fort". Der Tagesspiegel (in German). 9 September 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
  2. ^ "Daniel Küblböck: Darum adoptierte ihn die Millionärin!". BUNTE.de (in German). 2 January 2013. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  3. ^ Gufler, Philipp (2020). Lana Kaiser. Munich: Hammann Von Mier Verlag. pp. 7–8. ISBN 978-3-947250-33-2.
  4. ^ "Ließ sich von Millionärin adoptieren: Das turbulente Leben von Daniel Küblböck". Focus (in German). 10 September 2018. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
  5. ^ "Duften wie Küblböck". Der Spiegel (in German). 25 August 2003. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
  6. ^ "Daniel Küblböck ist Ökostrom-Millionär". Der Spiegel (in German). 2 April 2011. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
  7. ^ "BMG trennt sich von "Superstars"" (in German). musikwoche.de. 18 June 2004. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  8. ^ "Positive Energie GmbH" (in German). pe-medien.de. Archived from the original on 19 January 2009. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
  9. ^ a b "Discografie" (in German). danielwelt.de. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
  10. ^ Jan Feddersen (7 January 2014). "Seine letzte Chance" (in German). eurovision.de. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
  11. ^ "Küblböck nach Kollision mit Gurken-Transporter auf Intensivstation". Der Spiegel (in German). 24 February 2004. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
  12. ^ "Küblböck bekommt sechs Punkte in Flensburg". rp-online.de (in German). 23 June 2004. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
  13. ^ "Neonazi-Bruder von Daniel Küblböck ist gestorben". Die Welt (in German). 4 January 2013. Retrieved 9 January 2013.
  14. ^ "Daniel Küblböck: Darum adoptierte ihn die Millionärin!" (in German). Bunte.de. 2 January 2013. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  15. ^ "Küblböcks Herz 'schlägt für Jungs', nicht für Uschi" (in German). queer.de. 30 November 2010. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
  16. ^ "Daniel Küblböck: Eine Freundin behauptet, er wollte als Frau leben" (in German). rtl.de. 14 September 2018. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  17. ^ Bianca Marquardt (21 September 2018). "Schiffspassagierin aus Tostedt traf Daniel Küblböck: "Er war eine traurige Figur"". Kreiszeitung Wochenblatt (in German). Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  18. ^ "rosa_luxemburg (@rosa_luxem) • Instagram photos and videos". Instagram. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  19. ^ Philipp Gufler (28 September 2020). "Lana Kaiser film screenings". Philipp Gufler. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  20. ^ "Lana Kaiser". kurzfilmtage.de. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  21. ^ Catrin Lorch (11 June 2021). "Lebensentwürfe". Süddeutsche Zeitung (in German). Retrieved 28 March 2023.
  22. ^ "Daniel Küblböck verkleidete sich vor seinem Verschwinden als Frau" (in German). vip.de. 14 September 2018. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  23. ^ ""DSDS"-Kandidaten schreiben Daniel Küblböck eine Botschaft". Hamburger Abendblatt (in German). 9 September 2018. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
  24. ^ "Suche nach Daniel Küblböck eingestellt". Der Tagesspiegel (in German). Archived from the original on 11 September 2018. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
  25. ^ "Daniel Küblböck vom Schiff gesprungen - 'DSDS'-Star wurde um 4 Uhr ausgerufen - dann ertönten Notfall-Signale". Focus (in German). Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  26. ^ "Daniel Küblböck auf Kreuzfahrtschiff vermisst". Spiegel.de (in German). 9 September 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
  27. ^ "Pressestatement" (in German). aida.de. 12 September 2018. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
  28. ^ "Daniel Küblböck bei Kreuzfahrt vermisst: Sprung über Bord?". Augsburger-allgemeine.de (in German). 9 September 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
  29. ^ "Küstenwache stellt Suche nach Küblböck ein". faz.net (in German). 10 September 2018. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
  30. ^ Brauer, Markus (12 September 2018). "Wie und wann kann ein Vermisster für tot erklärt werden?". Stuttgarter Nachrichten (in German). Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  31. ^ "Gericht erklärt Daniel Küblböck für tot". Der Spiegel (in German). 24 March 2021. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  32. ^ "Überwachungs-Video: Zeigt es Daniel Küblböcks Sprung von der Aida?" (in German). tz.de. 16 September 2018. Archived from the original on 16 September 2018. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
  33. ^ "Pop Singer Vanished at Sea | The Disappearance of Daniel Küblböck | True Crime Documentary". YouTube. 31 May 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
  34. ^ For Positive Energie: "Daniel Küblböck - Positive Energie" (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
    For Liebe Nation: "Daniel Küblböck - Liebe Nation" (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
  35. ^ a b Hung, Steffen. "Discographie Daniel Küblböck" (in German). austriancharts.at. Retrieved 2 September 2010.
  36. ^ a b Hung, Steffen. "Discography Daniel Küblböck". swisscharts.com. Archived from the original on 21 October 2012. Retrieved 2 September 2010.
  37. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Daniel Küblböck; 'Positive Energie')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  38. ^ "Was macht eigentlich...? - Poparazzi". New.de.music.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2 September 2010.
  39. ^ For "You Drive Me Crazy" and "Heartbeat": "Daniel K. - Music Charts". acharts.co. Retrieved 2 September 2010.
    For other singles: "Daniel Küblböck - Music Charts". acharts.co. Retrieved 2 September 2010.
  40. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Daniel Küblböck; 'You Drive Me Crazy')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  41. ^ a b c For "We Have a Dream": "Deutschland sucht den Superstar - We Have A Dream" (in German). hitparade.ch. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
    For "Don't Close Your Eyes": "4 United - Don't Close Your Eyes" (in German). austriancharts.at. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
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