Upon hearing the Beatles at the age of ten, he began learning guitar, later picking up keyboards as well; while studying economics at the University of Gotteingen, Bohlen played in a series of local bands, and after graduating sent out demo tapes to innumerable record companies without success. Finally, in 1979 he was offered work writing and producing material for the Hamburg-based label Intersong, and in the years to follow he helmed a prolific body of music under a variety of pseudonyms including Steve Benson, Ryan Simmons, Sunday and Countdown G.T.O.

In 1983 Bohlen met vocalist Thomas Anders, with whom he formed Modern Talking; debuting a year later with the single "You're My Heart, You're My Soul," the duo enjoyed considerable success throughout the European club scene with hits including "Brother Louie" and "Cheri Cheri Lady." Internal tensions split Modern Talking in 1987, at which time Bohlen went solo under the name Blue System; debuting with the album Walking on a Rainbow; the new project was also successful, launching the hits "Sorry Little Sarah," "She's a Lady" and "Gangster Love." However, as the 1990s dawned Blue System's commercial fortunes dipped, and in 1994 Bohlen and Anders renewed their partnership as Modern Talking, issuing Back for Good in 1998. ~ Jason Ankeny