Udo Jürgens
Udo Jürgens | |
|---|---|
Udo Jürgens photographed by Oliver Mark in his dressing room in the Westfalenhalle, 2009 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Jürgen Udo Bockelmann |
| Born | 30 September 1934 Klagenfurt, Austria |
| Died | 21 December 2014 (aged 80) Münsterlingen, Switzerland |
| Genres | Pop, schlager, soft rock |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, musician, composer |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, piano |
| Years active | 1950–2014 |
| Website | Official website |
Jürgen Udo Bockelmann (30 September 1934 – 21 December 2014), generally known as Udo Jürgens, was an Austrian composer and singer of popular music whose career spanned over 50 years. He won the Eurovision Song Contest 1966 for Austria, composed close to 1,000 songs, and sold over 104 million records. In 2007, he additionally obtained Swiss citizenship. In 2010, he legally changed his name to Udo Jürgens Bockelmann.
He is credited with broadening German-language pop music beyond the traditional post-war "schlager" (hit song) in the 1950s by infusing it with a modern pop appeal and French chanson style. His compositions and arrangements attracted fans of all ages, and he continued to fill venues in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland until his death at age 80.