Born in Stellenbosch, South Africa, on 22 March 1978, 26 year old Heinz Winckler has come a long way since he studied law at Stellenbosch University. He burst onto South African TV screens winning the first South African M-Net Idols competition in 2002 & a major recording contract with BMG Records Africa. He demonstrated his talent by twice performing his debut single, "Once In A Lifetime" to a 500-strong live audience & millions of television viewers. Walt Disney approached Heinz to perform one of the credit songs for the movie “Treasure Planet”. Success of the movie was attributed to Heinz’s performance & was a hit on the S.A market, grossing over R3 million in the first weekend.

His latest accolade was gaining 4th place in the first ever World Idol competition held in London, December 2003, and voted 2nd place by the American public. Within one week of the show being aired his CD’s were unobtainable due to the massive increase in sales.  Heinz is presently working on his second C.D that will be available on the international market, namely America, England, Germany & Australia.

Heinz has indeed made a lasting impression in the music industry & is certainly well on track. His debut CD single 'Once In A Lifetime', went double platinum, making it an instant smash hit, with over 51 000 copies sold & growing on a daily basis. In 2003 he was nominated for 2 SAMA’s (South African Music Awards) for best single, ‘Once in a Lifetime’ & best pop album, ‘One Step Closer’. Gold sales status for a single is 10 000 plus units, with platinum being awarded for over 25 000 units sold.

"The whole experience has been great & I am taking it one step at a time with clear planning whilst supported by an excellent team of people. It was a huge step to take when I decided to put my law studies aside but I believe that I made the right decision to follow this passion for music.” he says.

Heinz's first ever hit record was written by leading Norwegian pop songsmith David Erikson (S Club 7 and Hear'say) and recorded and produced in Johannesburg by top pop/rock producer Brian O'Shea. Also included on the single is Heinz's popular version of the Westlife tune 'Soledad' (which featured on their platinum album 'World Of Our Own').

Following the success of Heinz's debut solo single, "Once In A Lifetime", comes ‘One Step Closer’, the singer's debut solo album. Produced by Brian O'Shea (also responsible for Idols: The Album and Heinz's solo single, the 12-track offering is quality all the way and truly of global standards. It features both “Once In A Lifetime” and "Soledad" as well as 10 other original songs including “It's Over", which was co-written by Heinz himself!

Lead radio single off the album is "Next Stop Happiness" which was penned by Australians Clive Young and Sean Ikin and it demonstrates Heinz's wonderful vocal versatility. The 2nd single off the album “Never Got Over You” spent seven (7) weeks at the number 1 spot on the national radio station 5fm. Indeed the album is a mix of ballads; rock influenced numbers and up-tempo pop that will provide great listening for all Heinz's fans!

He's been declared one of South Africa's sexiest males & is included in the 2003 Cosmopolitan magazine's Sexiest Men calendar, the photos for the calendar as well as for Heinz’s debut album prove his pin-up appeal! He has the guy next door looks, dubbed ‘Hunky Heinz’ & the formidable talent to back it up. He is in possession of a truly contemporary singing voice that has seen him take the global music scene by storm.

Earlier in his career he came out tops when he entered KFM Radio's ‘Create A Star’ in 1997 competition in Cape Town and won the category for song writing and singing. He started playing the piano at the age of 9 & seven years later he discovered the guitar - self-taught & blessed with natural talent, Heinz credits being able to create music on this instrument (he began writing music in 1997) as a hugely pivotal moment in his life. Soon after beginning classical guitar lessons he played solo in church for his performance debut. Heinz played in a band at the student church and also learned to play the drums, harmonica and bass.