Heino is more than just a "Schlager" (German folk pop) star in Germany: with more than 55 million records and CDs sold and 1,200 songs recorded, the 87‑year‑old is a veteran and an icon of the German music industry. His hits still resonate with young people today. He has even sung at heavy metal festivals. Before sexual assault allegations surfaced against Rammstein's lead singer, Heino performed with the widely known German band, too.
Heino's trademarks are his immaculate blond side‑part and his black sunglasses (worn, incidentally, to disguise an eye condition called exophthalmos). But above all, it is his music: German language folk songs about love, homeland and an idealized German world sung in a deep voice with a typically Teutonic rolled "R" — that is what made his career, for a lifetime.
However, this also made him a controversial figure. On October 22, 2005, the Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper wrote the following: "Germany is a divided country — also in its attitude toward Heino. Some love him; others despise him."German music: From 'Schlager' to 'Deutschrap'To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
Heinz Georg Kramm — Heino's real name — has always been a subject of controversy, not least because of his choice of songs.
