Udo Jürgens may have passed away in December, but his memory and his music live on. On January 22 and 23 thousands of people gathered to pay their respects to Austria’s first ever Eurovision winner, who won the contest in 1966 with the song “Merci, chérie.” Jürgens’ urn was put on display on top of a piano in the grand People’s Hall of Vienna’s City Hall, where his fans had the opportunity to sign condolence books and place flowers. wiwibloggs was lucky enough to attend, and we snapped a series of photos which we are pleased to share with you below.

Underlining just how esteemed Jürgens was as one of Austria’s biggest-ever pop stars, those who came to pay their respects included Austria’s president Heinz Fischer, prime minister Werner Faymann and Vienna’s mayor Michael Häupl. Udo’s family were also present at the ceremony. Among them were his children Jenny and John from his first marriage, and his daughters Sonja and Gloria from subsequent relationships. Jürgens’ ashes will be laid to rest in Vienna’s Central Cemetery among memorials to other prominent artists.

Visitors were given this commemoration card to remember their visit. The photo on left was the front cover, while the text on the right appeared inside. It reads: “You were the sheet music, which was everything to me. I leave you all everything, I leave you all everything there.”

 

Udo Jürgens commemoration urn card 2Udo Jürgens commemoration urn card 1

 

Photos: Udo Jürgens’s Commemoration Ceremony

Photos: wiwibloggs

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Alex
Alex
9 years ago

R.I.P.