Roger Cicero, who represented Germany at Eurovision 2007 with the jazzy “Frauern regier’n die Welt” has passed away at the age of 45. As Spiegel Online reports, he died of a stroke last Thursday.

“We are stunned and incredibly sad,” his management wrote in a statement. “Our thoughts are with his family.”

His death follows a long battle with acute fatigue syndrome and suspected myocarditis, a troublesome heart condition, which led the singer to cancel a series of concerts last November. He had planned to resume the sold-out tour in April.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScbJYkYYG7I

The son of Romanian pianist Eugen Cicero, he made his first public appearance as a singer at the tender age of 11. He soon became a household name in the German jazz world, performing alongside legends such as the Horst Jankowski trio as well as his father’s band, the Eugen Cicero trio. Roger quickly developed his own brand of jazz, playing on swinging 40’s and 50’s jazz, but with German lyrics. His first solo album, released in 2006, included his German-language cover of Frank Sinatra’s hit “Fly Me to the Moon”. He recorded 4 more albums and headlined the world-famous “Montreux Jazz Festival” with his Big Band in 2010 and in 2012.

In 2007, Roger and his band went to Eurovision with the song”Frauern regier’n die Welt”, which described how women truly rule the world. Despite his unique and charismatic performance — which included him swinging with his white hat — Europe frowned on Roger, placing him 19th in the finals. But his song has become a cult classic among many Eurovision fans anyway, and remains one of Germany’s most memorable entires of the 00s. Nothing beats heartfelt 50’s jazz!

Eurovision aside, Roger was also a skilled actor, and appeared in the German film “Hilde” which tells the story of the German singer/actress Hildegaard Knef. He also voiced and sang as Prince Naveen in the German dub of Disney’s “Princess and the Frog”.

He is survived by a son Lois. We at wiwibloggs send our deepest condolences to Roger’s family and friends.

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Fatima
Fatima
7 years ago

I only played that song the other day and remembered how great it/he was.

LeoTheNicaGuy
LeoTheNicaGuy
7 years ago

Very sad news. My deepest sympathy to his family and friends. A true artist has left us but he won`t be forgotten.

Osterreich
Osterreich
7 years ago

RIP Sir Roger, I love his entry that year, very catchy and underscored.

HarpyDarper
HarpyDarper
7 years ago

Yikes, this is terrible news!
I bought is album back in ’08! I seem to remember reading that the back up juries had him in the top 10 that year. I saw him on Later with Jools Holland too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWfV2snkHyo
A waste of talent!

Lee
Lee
7 years ago

RIP Roger The best singer at 2007 Eurovision
Really sad news.

Colin
Colin
7 years ago

R. I. P. Mr. Cicero. Too young to die. Good singer as well.

Alex
Alex
7 years ago

That’s terrible news. Roger’s entry is my favorite of the German entries over the past ten years. My condolences to his family and friends.

Peter V
Peter V
7 years ago

Such a pity. His 2007 entry was very ahead of its time. He paved the way for acts like Common Linnets to score high at Eurovision in 2010s.

GermanQR
GermanQR
7 years ago

Wow. Germany got raped that year. Best song and performer in 2007. RIP Roger.

Kaja
Kaja
7 years ago

So sad news. His entry was the main reason, why I started to listen to jazz music. And “Frauen regier’n die Welt” is still one of my favourite ESC song. May he rest in peace.

Ejin
Ejin
7 years ago

Sad news to hear.He was a great singer and he has a amazing voice and I like his Eurovision song ”Frauern regier’n die Welt”.What a loss for Germany and Eurovision.

R.I.P Roger Cicero

Österrike
Österrike
7 years ago

Sad day. I remember very well his upset win against Monrose in 2007. No one could believe it, but, boy, was he good! A pity ESC 2007 was in the dark times of Eurovision, where ESC was a big mess with circus acts and blockvoting. The only worthy and classy entry along with Serbia that year. In any other year a certain Top 3.

Rest in peace, Roger!

Steve Gray
Steve Gray
7 years ago

So sad to hear this 2007 was the first year Eurovision made me a huge fan and Rogers song was one of my favs ive collected the dvds and cds from 2007 onwards and this is a song i always play when i watch the 2007 dvd Roger was so talented rest in peace xx

Margaret
Margaret
7 years ago

What a loss 🙁 R.I.P.

Leaf
Leaf
7 years ago

Rest in Peace Roger.

GEF
GEF
7 years ago

It is really sad. Especially since he was only 45 years old. He brought something very elegant and sophisticated to the contest which was probably ahead of its time in 2007 but would probably have worked perfectly today. RIP Roger!!

Darren
Darren
7 years ago

Aw shocked to hear this news, Roger Cicero was my favourite German entry of the noughties and I thought his song was underrated in 2007, however that was when the a Eastern Bloc dominated the contest, so if it was now, he probably would have gotten Top 10.
Sorry to hear this, RIP 🙁 Dankür fur de muzik

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
7 years ago

My favourite Eurovision song….ever.
What a talented singer. What a loss.

Mark
Mark
7 years ago

RIP Roger Cicero

Frauer Regier ‘n’ Die Welt

Daan
Daan
7 years ago

OMG No!!!!

I loved his song in 2007 and have two of his albums.. Such a great singer.. Rest in peace Roger.. 🙁 Shocked!!!

Selene
Selene
7 years ago

An excellent singer, and a true gentleman. Horrible news.

Lanti
7 years ago

RIP 🙁

Loo
Loo
7 years ago

How sad news 🙁 Too young. A true artist.

He’s up there swinging with Sinatra now!

MarioMario
MarioMario
7 years ago

How sad! His song was a breathe of fresh air back then in 2007. May he rest in peace!