Entertainment · Music · 7 hrs ago
G. G. Anderson says he earns up to €200,000 a year in GEMA royalties
German singer and songwriter G. G. Anderson says he still earns substantial royalties from his music.
He told Merkur that his annual GEMA income is €150,000 to €200,000.
GEMA collects and distributes royalties when music is used, and Anderson has written more than 1,000 songs for himself and other performers.
Songs he wrote for Roland Kaiser bring in significant royalties when Kaiser performs them for large audiences.
Anderson says he is working on a new album and plans a farewell tour in autumn 2027.
He says the tour may not mean he will stop performing, as he intends to continue as long as audiences want to hear him.
G. G. Anderson says his annual GEMA royalties are between €150,000 and €200,000.
The 76-year-old singer and composer says songs he wrote for other performers, especially Roland Kaiser, help generate the income.
He also earns royalties from his own songs and tracks that have been successful internationally.
Anderson says his royalties were many times higher at their peak, when he discovered the Wildecker Herzbuben.
He is working on new music and plans to begin a farewell tour in autumn 2027.
- Who
- G. G. Anderson, whose legal name is Gerd Grabowski.
- What
- He says he receives between €150,000 and €200,000 a year in GEMA royalties.
- When
- He disclosed the amount in an interview published on November 1, 2026.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- Royalties from songs he wrote and from performances and broadcasts of those songs contribute to his income.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Anderson began his music career.
His songs Sommernacht in Rom and Mama Lorraine were released.
Articles reported his disclosure that he earns €150,000 to €200,000 a year in GEMA royalties.
Anderson plans to go on a farewell tour.
- Annual GEMA royalties
- €150,000–€200,000
- Age
- 76
- Songs written
- More than 1,000
- Roland Kaiser songs named
- Schach Matt; Lieb mich ein letztes Mal
- Farewell tour
- Planned for autumn 2027
3 sources
What people are saying
I don't want to brag, but my GEMA income is still between 150,000 and 200,000 euros a year.
When he sings Schach Matt or Lieb mich ein letztes Mal in front of tens of thousands, the GEMA royalties add up enormously.
At peak times—when I discovered the Wildecker Herzbuben—we had many times that amount in GEMA income.
As long as nobody in the audience calls out that I should stop, I'll keep performing.