Baywatch star David Hasselhoff is releasing his 14th studio album, and the new project will feature some heavy-metal music. While his singing prowess may not be as popular in North America as it is in Germany and Austria, it’s clear that the actor/singer is looking to tap into his metal fan base.
Many equate Hasselhoff’s music career to the laugh-out-loud “Hooked on a Feeling” music video, but the former Knight Rider actor hit it big in 2015 with the song “True Survivor.” The ‘80s-inspired track was featured in the Swedish martial arts comedy Kung Fury and has nearly 40 million views on YouTube.
Why is the multi-talented, 66-year-old star making a departure from his pop music roots?
“I’m doing some heavy metal songs on my new album,” he told German website Zeit. “Why not? I do not have an album title yet, but it should read: ‘Everything is allowed.’ I do everything. Because I can. Because I want it.”
In 2014, Hasselhoff revealed some of his favorite bands were Iron Maiden and Metallica, so it’s no stretch that he wants to emulate those he admires. That same year, he performed at the Austrian music festival Nova Rock following Iron Maiden.
Even more interestingly, in 2018 Hasselhoff teamed up with Ministry’s Al Jourgensen and DJ Swamp to remix his cover of Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline. So when Hasselhoff says “everything is allowed,” he’s telling the truth.
The star’s upcoming album will be Hasselhoff’s first since 2012’s “This Time Around.” The one prior, “A Real Good Feeling,” hit number three in Austria.
In addition to Baywatch and Knight Rider, Hasselhoff has appeared in several films, including Click, Dodgeball, and The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie. He’s also acted on Broadway in Jekyll & Hyde, Chicago and The Producers.
Hasselhoff is a pop culture icon. He famously performed “Looking For Freedom” at the Berlin Wall on New Year’s Eve in 1989. The song hit number one on the German charts.
