His son Uwe -from his first marriage- was born in 1960, his
illegitimate daughter Petra in 1968. She committed suicide in
2003.
Resides in Bad Münstereifel with his third wife Hannelore, where they
run a successful café.
German singer of popular music and traditional Volksmusik, considered a
national treasure by some Germans.
Was criticized for making songs, which are associated to Nazi Germany
such as "Die Wacht am Rhein" and all three stanzas of the national
anthem.
His most popular songs are "Bergvagabunden" (1969), "Karamba, Karacho,
ein Whisky" (1969), "Blau blüht der Enzian" (1972) and "Die schwarze
Barbara" (1975).