Overview
- The 73-year-old was honored for his life’s work at the Bambi ceremony in Grünwald near Munich on Thursday.
- The Bambi jury hailed him as a defining German voice who stands for humanity, respect and social cohesion.
- Over five decades, he notched hits such as "Santa Maria," sold more than 100 million records and built the Kaisermania concert series in Dresden.
- He rebounded from a chronic lung illness with a transplant and returned to the stage, culminating in a widely noted 2014 comeback.
- In new comments, he says he wants to prompt reflection on social topics and reaffirms he will remain in Germany, following earlier civic honors in 2012 and 2016.