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On December 29, 1937, Carl-Dieter Heckscher, also known as Dieter Thomas Heck, was born in Germany. He was a well-known presenter, singer, and actor. He made an enduring impression on the entertainment world, especially when it came to German Schlager music, and was well-known for hosting the wildly successful TV show ZDF-Hitparade. Dieter passed away on August 23, 2018.
Early Life
Dieter Thomas Heck was raised in Hamburg after being born in Flensburg, Germany. However, a horrific event from his upbringing left a lasting impression. He was just five years old in April 1943, during World War II, and after becoming trapped behind a stairway during a British bombing strike at night, he began to stutter. He struggled with stuttering up to the age of 16 when he began classical singing lessons.
Heck pursued a career as a “Technischer Kaufmann” (technical salesperson) at Borgward in Hamburg after finishing his technical “Oberschule” (high school) education and “Mittelschule” (middle school). He did, however, resign from this post four years later to pursue another career.
Career
In 1959, Dieter Thomas Heck sang “Hippe-di-hipp, mein Mädchen” on Peter Frankenfeld’s talent program “Toi – Toi – Toi,” which marked the beginning of his career in show business. Heck worked for a record label after a brief stint as a car salesperson.
When he visited Baden-Baden’s Südwestfunk (SWF) radio station in 1963, he made his radio debut. He was lucky enough to conduct the interview alone after the intended guest did not show up, which launched his broadcasting career. His skill was noticed by Herbert Falk, who gave him the chance to present a 90-minute program every Saturday.
The “Goldene Europa” award, honoring German vocalists, was co-founded in 1967 by Dieter Thomas Heck. It was first given out in 1968. His big break on television came with the hugely well-liked “ZDF-Hitparade.” This Truck Branss-produced television program, which was based on “Schlagerparade,” rose to prominence as one of the most significant musical elements of the 1970s and 1980s. Between 1969 and 1984, Heck hosted “ZDF-Hitparade” an astonishing 183 times, making it a staple of German television culture.
In “ZDF-Hitparade,” Heck showcased international musicians in addition to German artists, however, they were obligated to perform in German. Ricky Shayne, Costa Cordalis, Bata Illic, Mireille Mathieu, Mouth & McNeal, Karel Gott, Michael Holm, and Marianne Rosenberg were among the musicians who benefited from this.
Dieter Thomas Heck’s Children
There is no information about Dieter Thomas Heck’s children.
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