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The name Jürgen Udo Bockelmann, often known as Udo Jürgens, struck a chord with millions of music enthusiasts worldwide. Udo Jürgens, who was born in Klagenfurt, Austria, on September 30, 1934, had a lasting impression on the music industry by combining a career spanning more than 50 years with an impressive list of achievements that few other musicians could match.
Career
He founded the Udo Bolan Quartet in Klagenfurt, Austria, early in the 1950s, going by the stage name “Udo Bolan,” and he started giving frequent performances at several locations. It was around this time that his love of music began to develop. His foursome provided the foundation for an extraordinary career by showcasing his developing abilities.
Jürgens was also a talented songwriter; in 1950, the Austrian public broadcaster ORF recognized him as a successful composer when he won with his song “Je t’aime.” However, it was in 1961 that he achieved global recognition with the smash song “Reach for the Stars,” performed by Shirley Bassey.
The next year, 1964, Jürgens represented Austria in the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time with “Warum nur, warum? ” coming in sixth. But he didn’t win until his third attempt in 1966 when he sang “Merci, Chérie,” which was a pivotal point in his career. Vince Hill and Matt Monro established English-language hits with the song. Only Jürgens’ version garnered a gold disc from Deutsche Vogue and sold over a million copies.
For Jürgens, winning Eurovision was only one of many significant occasions in his career. He wrote timeless songs like “Sag ihr, ich lass sie grüßen,” “Griechischer Wein,” “Aber bitte mit Sahne,” “Mit 66 Jahren,” and “Buenos Días, Argentina,” which he sang at the 1978 FIFA World Cup in Argentina while playing for the German national football team.
What was the Cause of Udo Jürgens’ Death?
At the age of 80, Udo Jürgens, an Austrian-born singer and composer who was often seen as Europe’s version of Frank Sinatra due to his considerable impact on postwar popular music in German-speaking areas, passed away in Gottlieben, Switzerland, on Sunday 21 December 2014. According to Freddy Burger Management, his management organization, he suffered a heart attack and unexpectedly passed away while out for a walk.
Legacy
Due to his international appeal, Udo Jürgens was well-liked in nations such as Argentina, where he had one of the biggest fan groups outside of German-speaking areas. His worldwide appeal was demonstrated in 1977 when he invited The Supremes to play as guests at one of his performances during their European tour.
His longevity is among the most impressive characteristics of his profession. With nearly 57 years of chart-topping glory, he broke the record in 2015 as the musician with the longest run in the charts. Long into the twenty-first century, his impact on the music business persisted, inspiring a new generation of musicians in the process.
