Marianne Rosenberg

Personal background

She is of Roma and Sinti background. Her father, Otto, an Auschwitz death camp survivor, was an activist on Roma and Sinti issues. Her sister, Petra, also advocates for Roma issues.

Career

Rosenberg's musical career was consolidated throughout the 70s with hits such as "Fremder Mann" (Stranger), "Er gehort zu mir" (He belongs to me), "Ich bin wie Du" (I am like you), "Marleen", and "Lieder der Nacht" (Songs of the Night), often making appearances on TV and Radio. She is considered one of the most successful performers of German "Schlagers" in the decades to come. Her career underwent another revival in 1989 with the hit song "I need your love tonight" from the soundtrack Rivalen der Rennbahn (Racetrack Rivals), written by Dieter Bohlen.

Eurovision Song Contest

"Er gehort zu mir" was a finalist in the competition to select a Eurovision Song Contest entry for Germany in 1975 but was only placed tenth. Rosenberg's attempts to sing in Eurovision took a surprising turn in 1976 when she was shortlisted to represent Luxembourg with the song "Tout peut arriver au cinema". Although it didn't win, it went on to be a German hit under the title "Lieder der Nacht". In 1978, Rosenberg competed in the German heats again, and this time was placed seventh with "Nein, weinen werd’ ich nicht" (No, I Won't Cry). Not so successful was her 1980 entry "Ich werd' da sein, wenn es Sturm gibt" (I'll Be There if There Is a Storm) which came twelfth (and last). Marianne Rosenberg's final challenge for Eurovision was in 1982 with the song "Blue Jeans Kinder", a ballad which took eighth place.

She also achieved chart success in other European countries, including Austria and the Netherlands. Rosenberg is also considered a gay icon in several countries, such as the Netherlands and her native Germany.

In 2004, Rosenberg re-released Marleen in a remixed version and with a new promotional video. The single reached No.33 on the official German Charts as compiled by Media Control. The follow-up single Er gehort zu mir reached No.77. Both singles were taken from her 2004 disco-flavoured album Fur immer wie heute, which reached # 12 on the German Album charts.

In 2008, Rosenberg released her first jazz and chanson album, I'm a Woman.

Discography