Composer and singer Udo Jürgens was born Udo Jürgen Bockelmann on September 30, 1934 in Schloß Ottmanach, Carinthia, Austria. He's written over 900 songs. He began his career when he won a composer contest sponsored by Austria's public broadcasting network in 1950. In 1961 he wrote the world famous hit “Reach for the Stars” sung by Shirley Bassey. In the following years, he wrote some of his most famous songs, like Griechischer Wein, Aber bitte mit Sahne, Mit 66 Jahren, and –one of his biggest successes– Buenos Días, Argentina, which he performed together with the German football team in 1978. Because Jürgens, who enjoyed a thorough musical education, always accompanies himself on the piano, he is sometimes compared to Billy Joel, but unlike him is backed not by a rock band, but by a full 18-piece orchestra. His career continues with near-annual tours. His 1992, his concert in Vienna was attended by 220,000 spectators; this is still one of the biggest concerts in Europe ever. He has a son John Jürgens who is a singer, actor and DJ. His daughter Jenny Jürgens is an actress. Udo Jürgens composed the music for the 1975 Euro-western “Montana Trap” starring Hardy Kruger and Stephen Boyd. Today we celebrate his 75th birthday.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Happy 75th Birthday Udo Jürgens
Composer and singer Udo Jürgens was born Udo Jürgen Bockelmann on September 30, 1934 in Schloß Ottmanach, Carinthia, Austria. He's written over 900 songs. He began his career when he won a composer contest sponsored by Austria's public broadcasting network in 1950. In 1961 he wrote the world famous hit “Reach for the Stars” sung by Shirley Bassey. In the following years, he wrote some of his most famous songs, like Griechischer Wein, Aber bitte mit Sahne, Mit 66 Jahren, and –one of his biggest successes– Buenos Días, Argentina, which he performed together with the German football team in 1978. Because Jürgens, who enjoyed a thorough musical education, always accompanies himself on the piano, he is sometimes compared to Billy Joel, but unlike him is backed not by a rock band, but by a full 18-piece orchestra. His career continues with near-annual tours. His 1992, his concert in Vienna was attended by 220,000 spectators; this is still one of the biggest concerts in Europe ever. He has a son John Jürgens who is a singer, actor and DJ. His daughter Jenny Jürgens is an actress. Udo Jürgens composed the music for the 1975 Euro-western “Montana Trap” starring Hardy Kruger and Stephen Boyd. Today we celebrate his 75th birthday.
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Whaw, I never knew this that he once composed for a Euro western!
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