Overview
- In a birthday interview published Jan. 14, Carpendale looked back on six decades in music as he marked turning 80.
- He rejected the 'Schlagersänger' label, saying his goal is to move audiences emotionally rather than deliver party anthems.
- Universal Music cites more than 65 million records sold since his first single in 1966, underscoring his enduring popularity.
- He recounted crises including his wife's long battle with alcoholism, his own financial losses, online-poker gambling and severe depression, and said his son Wayne persuaded him to seek clinical treatment.
- He described his current period with wife Donnice as their happiest and confirmed a farewell tour starting in March with planned extensions through September.