Overview
- SWR said Holtmann died on November 9 in Esslingen at age 75, citing his family.
- A former Triumvirat drummer, he joined SDR in 1979, rose to music chief at SDR3/SWR3, then moved in 2005 to SWR1 as a flagship host.
- Diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2009, he spoke about the disease publicly and published the memoir Porsche, Pop und Parkinson in 2022.
- SWR leaders Kai Gniffke and Stefanie Schneider praised him as a radio icon known for creativity, wit, and closeness to listeners.
- Artists paid respects, including PUR’s tribute to a longtime supporter, following a final public ovation for him in May 2024 on Stuttgart’s Schlossplatz.