Shädy - Biographie

Solo career 2024/2025
In April 2024, Shady began preparations for his new solo album. Under the direction of executive producer Heinz Winzenried and producer Andy Wright (Simple Red, Eurythmics, Simple Minds, Jeff Beck, and Bon Jovi), recordings started at the renowned British Grove Studio in London. The album, which will be completed in winter 2024, is scheduled for release in January 2025 and promises to be another highlight in the career of this versatile artist.We can look forward to it...

Shadox 2010 - 2024
After a long break, he formed the band Shadox together with Enrico Brogini in 2010. The band released two albums and became well known in the scene. 

Grand Mothers Painkiller 2000
In 2000, Shädy, together with Krokus musicians Many Maurer and Tony Castell, formed the band Grand Mothers Painkiller, which celebrated great success in Germany in particular. Highlights of their career included appearances at major events such as the biker meeting in Schleiz in front of 40,000 visitors and in Budapest in front of 25,000 fans.

Solo career 1995
In 1995, his solo debut album Face of Time was released, which was well received by critics and was also commercially successful. After a successful tour and positive feedback from the music scene, he began work on a second album. However, creative differences led to a break with the label, and the contract was dissolved. This experience strengthened Leach's conviction to go his own artistic way.

Dog Eat Dog 1993
Shortly thereafter, in 1993, he formed the ad hoc band "Dog Eat Dog" with Mandy Meyer (Krokus, Asia) and Thomas Wild (Polo Hofer). Although the band only played 25 concerts, they made a lasting impression on the scene. However, the project ended abruptly when Leach signed a record deal with Sony Music Columbia as a solo artist.

Ain't Dead Yet 1990
In 1990, Shady (now David Leach) founded the band Ain't Dead Yet together with Krokus musicians Many Maurer, Tony Castell and Dany Crivelli. What started as a casual project quickly developed into a serious band that played almost 200 concerts and released a live album in the following years. But as early as 1993, Shädy decided to leave the band and start a new project.

Solo career 1988
In 1988, the first single “Everybody” was released with the B-side “Don't Stop”.In 1991, the first 5-track CD was released under the name “Night Life”.

Early life and the beginning of his career
Shady, born Rolf Schädeli, is better known in the Swiss music scene by his stage name “David Leach”. As a singer, guitarist and songwriter, he has made a name for himself over several decades and has secured a permanent place for himself in rock music through his versatility and creativity.
His musical journey began in the 1980s when he was the guitarist for the band Geneva. The band reached its peak in 1985 when it traveled to Los Angeles to audition for various record companies. The chance to achieve international success seemed within reach. However, an unexpected obstacle arose: his real name, Rolf Schädeli, was perceived by American record companies as difficult to pronounce and not very marketable.
At a crucial moment, which was later seen as a turning point in his career, Shady spontaneously opened a phone book in a Hollywood phone booth. His finger glided over the pages until he randomly came across the first name “David” and the last name “Leach”. So Rolf Schädeli became David Leach overnight.
Unfortunately, the band couldn't get a record deal and broke up shortly thereafter.