Rob Pilatus Biography

Robert “Rob” Pilatus was a German singer, dancer, and model, who performed as one half of the pop music duo Milli Vanilli. Interested in the show business from an early age, he began his career in the entertainment industry as a model and break dancer. Pilatus was briefly part of a group called Wind before music producer Frank Farian spotted him and created Milli Vanilli with him and Fab Morvan. In the initial years, the duo was a massive international success; their album was certified Platinum and they even won a Grammy. However, in 1990, it was revealed that they did not perform any of their songs and that they were simply the public faces for the real singers, Charles Shaw and Brad Howell. The reaction was swift. The group’s Grammy Award was withdrawn and their record label not only dismissed their contract, but also omitted the album and songs from their catalogue. In 1993, Pilatus and Morvan tried to make an unsuccessful comeback by repackaging themselves in a new group, Rob & Fab. In the following years, Pilatus struggled with substance abuse and suicide attempts and later was incarcerated for three months. He passed away in April 1998. At the time, he and Morvan were planning another comeback and had already completed a new album.