Bernd Appel by Warie Porbeni

I started as a Jazz DJ in a famous Jazz club and piano bar in the south of Germany. I was 23 years old. As a young white boy, it was difficult to impress the GI’s, who were mostly black guys that patronize the club. I had to learn fast to prove that I was good enough to keep a crowd of people happy.

I had to travel over 100km to collect my records from a special shop that imported directly from the USA. I spent a lot of money on records and I have one of the best collections of music in Europe, which I converted to the digital format. I am a music connoisseur, who loves music for the love of music.

My big break came when a Swiss DJ promoter invited me for a test run in Zurich, Switzerland. He was so impressed with the way I worked that he hired me, immediately, and gave me my first contract with good allowances, benefits, and facilities. Again, I had to learn fast to adapt to the commercial music.

The owner of the club insisted on having commercial music. It was not my preference but I was ready. I was an entertainment DJ. So, despite my preference of music, I adapted to the request of the clients who called the shots.

When asked if he worked with a team. His response “My name is Bernd Apple. I have enough apples. I don’t need any more apples”.