Bendzko grew up in the Köpenick region of Berlin. As a youth he attended a sport gymnasium and played at the first FC Union Berlin football. Later he studied Protestant theology and non-Christian religions. His musical career began with guitar lessons. At age 16 he wrote his first songs. As a winner of a talent competition he performed in the summer of 2009 before 20,000 spectators at the Berlin Waldbühne, one of Europe's largest concert venues.[3] Then he devoted himself entirely to his...