Tokio Hotel 101 – Class In Session

Before we get going down the road of all things Tokio Hotel, a little orientation is in order. After all, you’ll be hearing us chat about this rock group, reminiscing about our experience at the tour, and highlighting some of the individual quirky details about the guys. We don’t want you to feel hopelessly lost, so here’s a quick tutorial.

Gallery of Photos

Tokio Hotel or TH

Singer Bill Kaulitz and guitarist Tom Kaulitz, who are identical twin brothers, drummer Gustav Schäfer and bass-guitarist Georg Listing met in 2001 after a live show in a Magdeburg club, where Listing and Schäfer, who knew each other from music school, watched from the audience while Bill and Tom Kaulitz played on the stage. Under the name Devilish, the band soon began playing in talent shows and small concerts. After Bill Kaulitz's participation in a children's Star Search in 2003 at age thirteen, he was discovered by music producer Peter Hoffmann. Devilish then changed their name to Tokio Hotel.

"Tokio", the German spelling of the Japanese city Tokyo, due to a love of the city, and "Hotel" due to their constant touring and living in hotels. Soon after Sony BMG took them under contract, Hoffmann hired David Jost and Pat Benzner into the team of creators and authors, and had them give the teens instruction on songwriting and instrument playing. However, shortly before release of their first album, Sony terminated their contract. In 2005, Universal Music Group took Tokio Hotel under contract and developed a marketing plan.

The iconic results are only the tip of the iceberg for Tokio Hotel. For their full list of awards since 2005 and current nominations, click here:

Tokio Hotel site

Bill Kaulitz
Born September 1, 1989. He now stands at 6’ 2” with a slender frame. Bill has mentioned David Bowie and Nena as his favorite musicians. His fashion style has a wide range with deconstructed pieces of clothing to tight leather to old Hollywood sleek fashion. He’s graced many magazine covers because of his unique look and photogenic features.

Tom Kaulitz
Born September 1, 1989 (10 mins. earlier than Bill). Tom likes his hip hop style and likes to listen to rap music. He often mentions Sammy Deluxe and Jay Z as his favorites. He learned to play the guitar when he was 7 yrs. old and moved on to the piano and keyboard. He wore his trademark dreadlocks for several years, until 2009 when he switched to cornrows. Tom has a playful personality that can be snarky and teasing, especially toward Georg and his “little” brother, Bill.

Georg Listing
Georg (pronounced Geh-org) is the eldest, born on March 31, 1987, and plays the bass and more recently, the keyboards. Georg’s trademark is his hair worn straight and his muscular physique. One of his favorite bands is Fall Out Boy.

Gustav Schäfer
Gustav has some fun nicknames from the fans like Gusti or the Black Ninja. Born September 8, 1988, he is the drummer for Tokio Hotel.

The Twins or KSquared (as in Kaulitz Squared) – refers to the twin brothers, Tom and Bill.

“I can't - we can't - live without each other. We are always together. We are like one person and like soul mates. We don't have to talk.” – Bill in regard to his twin brother, Tom.

The G’s – referring to Georg and Gustav.

If you have additional TH words to add to the glossary, chime in. Study hard, you never know when there may be a pop quiz.