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Rex Gildo (July 2 1939 - October 26 1999) was a German singer of Schlager ballads who reached the height of his popularity in the 1960s and 1970s, selling over 25 million records and starring in film and television roles.
Gildo was born Ludwig Alexander Hirtreiter in Straubing, Bavaria and was a member of the Regensburger Domspatzen choir before going to acting school. His first performance was with the Munich Kammerspiele theatre group in 1956, but he quickly moved into television and film, as well as performing as a singer; most famously duetting with Danish singer Gitte Haenning as "Gitte & Rex".
His most popular songs, such as Speedy Gonzales (1962), Goodbye Susanna (1965), Fiesta Mexicana (1972) were million sellers and his sentimental, fernweh-evoking music, often flavoured with Spanish or Mexican lyrics or styles, was especially in demand in the politically unsettled 1960s and 70s. His music and films sold well in Germany, but less so abroad, and he has been compared to Cliff Richard or Tom Jones.
In 1974, Gildo married his cousin Marion Ohlsen. The couple had no children and separated in 1990
During the 1980s and 1990s, Gildo's popularity decreased and he felt pressured to maintain his public image. His appearances were in folk festivals and shopping centres where audiences were sometimes less than kind; he also had problems with alcoholism. His final performance, on the day of his death, was in front of more than 3000 people at a furniture shop outside Frankfurt.
Gildo died in 1999 aged 60. He had been in an artificially-induced coma after attempting suicide by jumping from the window of his apartment building. He was said to have been suffering psychological problems. After his death, it was reported that he had been gay and involved in a relationship with Dave Klingeberg, his secretary with whom he lived, for seven years. Gildo was buried next to his long-time companion, Fred Miekley.
In 2007, "Fiesta Mexicana (Hossa)" was brought into a whole new generation of people when the New York Rangers started playing the song whenever winger Marcel Hossa scored a goal.
Discography
- Das Ende der Liebe (Tell Laura I love You)/Minnetonka Mädi, 1959
- Sieben Wochen nach Bombay, 1960
- Yes My Darling, 1960, together with Conny Froboess
- Speedy Gonzales, 1962
- Zwei blaue Vergißmeinnicht, 1963
- Vom Stadtpark die Laternen, 1963, together with Gitte Haenning
- Zwei auf einer Bank, 1964, together with Gitte Haenning
- Jetzt dreht die Welt sich nur um dich, 1964, together with Gitte Haenning
- Hokuspokus, 1964 together with Gitte Haenning
- Dein Glück ist mein Glück, 1965 together with Gitte Haenning
- Goodbye Susanna 1965
- Augen wie zwei Sterne, 1966
- Der Mond hat seine Schuldigkeit getan, 1967
- Ein ring auf gold 1968
- Dondolo, 1969
- Memories, 1971
- Fiesta Mexicana, 1972
- Der Sommer ist vorbei, 1973
- Marie der letzte Tanz, 1974
- Der letzte Sirtaki, 1975
- Küsse von dir, 1976
- Love Is In The Air, 1978
- Sally komm wieder, 1978
- Saragossa, 1979
- Holly ho Havanna, 1979
- La Bandita, 1980
- Wenn ich je deine Liebe verlier, 1981
- Und sie hieß Julie, 1983
- Und plötzlich ist es wieder da, 1983
- Dir fehlt Liebe, 1984
- Rendezvous auf spanisch, 1984
- Mamma mia, 1985
- Du ich lieb Dich, 1985
- Was ist schon eine nacht 1986
- Mexicanische nacht 1989
- Margarita 1991 and many more to 1999
References
- ^ Blom, Phillip (1999-10-29). "Obituary: Rex Gildo". The Independent. LookSmart Ltd. Retrieved 2007-10-22.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ Rex Gildo at IMDb
- ^ Karacs, Imre (1999-11-28). "The Entertainer". The Independent. LookSmart Ltd. Retrieved 2007-10-22.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - Koymasky, Matt & Andrei (2007-06-25). "Rex Gildo" (HTML). Retrieved 2007-10-22.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - van der Meyden, Henk (1999-10-28). "Rex Gildo overleden". Di Telegraaf-i (in Dutch). Dagblad De Telegraaf, Amsterdam. Retrieved 2007-10-22.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - "German pop singer Gildo dies". Associated Press Archive. The Associated Press. 1999-10-28. Retrieved 2007-10-22.
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