Fancy: The German Eurodance and Italo Disco Pioneer

Fancy is the stage name of German singer and producer Manfred Alois Segieth, a pivotal figure in the 1980s and 1990s European dance music scene. Hailing from Munich, he achieved international fame with his 1984 smash hit "Slice Me Nice," which became a global club anthem and propelled his debut album to gold status in several countries.

Early career

Manfred Alois Segieth was born in 1946 in Munich, Germany, beginning his musical journey as a drummer in various rock and jazz bands during the 1960s. His career took a commercial turn in the 1970s when he worked as a producer and session musician, eventually adopting the moniker Fancy and diving into the burgeoning synth-driven Italo disco genre.

Breakthrough

Fancy's breakthrough arrived decisively in 1984 with the release of the single "Slice Me Nice" on the German record label Metronome Musik. The track's infectious synth riff, robotic vocals, and provocative music video became an instant sensation, climbing charts across Europe and earning gold certifications, notably in Germany and Canada.

Key tracks

Slice Me Nice — This 1984 single is Fancy's signature song, defining his sound with its minimalist electronic production and securing his international chart success.

Chinese Eyes — Released in 1985, this follow-up single continued the successful formula, becoming another major club hit and solidifying Fancy's status in the Eurodance arena.

Bolero (Hold Me In Your Arms Again) — This 1986 track showcased a more melodic side, sampling Ravel's famous composition and achieving notable airplay across European radio stations.

Lady of Ice — A later single from 1988, it demonstrated Fancy's adaptability within the evolving electronic music landscape of the late 1980s.

Following his initial success, Fancy continued to release albums throughout the 1980s and 1990s, including "Contact" (1985) and "Blue Planet" (1994), maintaining a loyal fanbase in Europe and Japan. His music, characterized by its driving sequencer basslines and cool, detached vocal delivery, remained a staple in clubs and on retro dance compilations, influencing the later Eurodance wave of the early 1990s.

Fans of Fancy's synth-heavy Eurodance and Italo disco sound should also explore Bad Boys Blue, another German act known for their dance-pop hits in the same era. The electronic production of C.C.Catch shares a similar melodic and rhythmic sensibility from the 1980s. For the robotic vocal style, check out Kraftwerk, the pioneering German electronic group that influenced the genre. The music of Silent Circle also fits the mold with its catchy, synth-based European dance pop from the period.

The music of Fancy remains a fixture on dedicated 80s dance and classic Eurodance radio stations, as well as on online radio streams specializing in retro electronic music. His tracks are frequently featured in themed programming blocks celebrating the golden age of synth-pop and Italo disco, keeping his distinctive sound alive for new generations of listeners.

You can hear the iconic electronic music of Fancy on radio stations featured on our website. Discover and listen to this German Eurodance pioneer through the various radio stations available on onairium.com.