A German musician who rose to fame in the 1980s with his synth-heavy hit "Major Tom (Coming Home)", a song inspired by David Bowie's "Space Oddity".
Peter Schilling, born Pierre Michael Schilling on January 28, 1956, is a German synthpop musician renowned for his science fiction-themed songs, particularly his 1983 hit single "Major Tom Coming Home". This iconic song, a retelling of David Bowie's classic "Space Oddity", catapulted Schilling to international fame and remains his most recognizable accomplishment.
Schilling's 1983 album, Error in the System, spawned "Major Tom Coming Home", which was originally recorded in German but gained international success with its English-language version. The song's science fiction theme, combined with its captivating synthesizers and Schilling's distinctive vocals, resonated with audiences worldwide.
In the following years, Schilling released two more albums, 120 Grad (1984) and Things to Come (1985), the latter being an English-language version of 120 Grad. He also released several non-album singles and a compilation album, The Different Story, in 1988.
In the early 1990s, Schilling suffered from burnout, leading to a hiatus from music. During this time, he focused on his personal life, marrying his girlfriend Catyana in 1994. The couple divorced in 2003, and Schilling married his second wife in 2012.
In the late 1990s, Schilling formed a side project called Space Pilots, which released a single song, "Trip to Orion", featuring vocal samples from the German science fiction TV show Raumpatrouille Orion. In the 2000s, he formed a new band and began touring Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, performing live concerts.
Schilling has also ventured into children's literature, collaborating with the German Aerospace Center DLR and Bernd Flessner on the Der kleine Major Tom book series, published by Tessloff Verlag since 2018. Schilling himself voices the character of Major Tom in the accompanying radio plays.
Peter Schilling's contributions to the synthpop genre, particularly his iconic song "Major Tom Coming Home", have left an indelible mark on the music industry. His science fiction themes and synth-heavy sound have influenced a generation of musicians and fans alike, cementing his place as a pioneer of 1980s electronic music.
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