Ralph Siegel
In rehab he meets old companions
Surrounded by old companions in rehab: Ralph Siegel.
© imago/Zeppo
“Heidi” meets “Michaela” and “Johnny Blue”: three pop legends around Ralph Siegel are currently in rehab at Tegernsee.
A suffering shared is a suffering shared by a third: The Jägerwinkel private clinic on Tegernsee can currently call itself the “official hotspot for German entertainment tunes”. Not only around 250 years of pop and music history come together here. “Heidi”, “Michaela” and “Johnny Blue” currently share the massage bench. Because: As luck would have it, the composer legends Ralph Siegel (78) and Christian Bruhn (89) as well as pop singer Bata Illic (84) are recovering. According to the “Bild” newspaper, at the same time in the tranquil, rustic ambience of the luxury clinic above Bad Wiessee.
Healing effect of music
Spread a positive mood, even in difficult times. That’s what the hit is about. And that seems to be the motto of the illustrious rehabilitation trio from Bad Wiessee. The reason for the chance meeting is serious enough: After recovering from cancer, Ralph Siegel had to undergo spinal surgery. He is currently recovering from the strain of the procedure, supported by his wife and music manager Laura Käfer (40). But Siegel wouldn’t be Siegel if he weren’t hitting the keys again to enjoy the healing effects of music: “My wife brought me my keyboard, I’m composing again. That’s the best medicine for me,” she said Grand Prix icon.
Indestructible trio
After undergoing hip surgery, Bata Illic wants to get out of the wheelchair again as soon as possible thanks to exercise therapy. The meeting with Siegel and Bruhn spurs him on: “It’s so nice that I met Ralph and Christian here. We finally have time to tell each other so much. Of course our favorite topic is music.” The German pop bard, who comes from the former Yugoslavia, used to be a regular guest on the “Hit Parade”.
This also applies to the performers for whom Christian Bruhns composed his hits. An acute intestinal obstruction brought him to rehab at Tegernsee – a life-threatening situation, as he says. Surgery was unavoidable. Now the home and court composer of almost all the pop stars of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s is happy that he can relax in the company of his long-time colleagues. Motto according to the hits he composed: “Miracles always happen”. Or also: “We have to have a little fun”. One of the most famous melodies by the creator of the “Heidi” theme tune is without a doubt the all-time catchy tune “Marmor, Stein und Eisen bruch” – unmistakably interpreted by Drafi Deutscher (1946-2006). The refrain says: “Marble, stone and iron breaks” – and one would like to continue: But our ancient rocks don’t.