Chris Roberts

Chris Roberts is a German schlager singer, actor, music producer and lyricist from Munich, Germany. He is one of the best-known German-language schlager performers of the 1970s, with a career that runs from the 1960s to 2017.

Early life and first work

Roberts is born in Munich-Schwabing in 1944. He begins an apprenticeship as an electromechanic in 1961 and studies at a polytechnic from 1963. In 1964, he plays drums in the rock and roll group Blue Rockets, which performs songs associated with Buddy Holly, the Everly Brothers and Fats Domino.

Recording career

He is discovered by Hans Bertram in 1966, who secures him a recording contract with Polydor. Roberts first records the beat single “Babys Gone”, but it attracts little attention. His breakthrough comes in 1968 with the schlager song “Wenn Du mal einsam bist”, which reaches number 15 in the charts.

Between 1968 and 1972, he places five songs in the Top 10, including “Die Maschen der Mädchen”, “Ich bin verliebt in die Liebe”, “Hab ich dir heute schon gesagt, daß ich dich liebe” and “Hab Sonne im Herzen”. His songs often use English words and simple, upbeat schlager arrangements, and he becomes known for a sunny stage persona. He appears frequently on television during this period, including in broadcasts in the German Democratic Republic.

When major hits slow in 1973, he moves to Jupiter Records and scores the biggest hit of his career with Ralph Siegel’s “Du kannst nicht immer siebzehn sein”, which stays in the Top 10 for 12 weeks and reaches number three. He also records versions of songs for other markets, including the Dutch “Barbara” and the Spanish “A mí me gusta la vida”. He continues releasing records into the early 1980s.

Stage, film and other work

Roberts also works as a film actor, appearing in a number of schlager-related productions in the 1970s. His film and television credits include When the Mad Aunts Are Coming, Unsere Pauker gehen in die Luft, Musik, Musik - da wackelt die Penne, ...und sowas nennt sich Show, ...und heute heißt es Show, Tante Trude aus Buxtehude, Rudi, benimm dich, Hochwürden drückt ein Auge zu, Mensch, ärgere dich nicht, Meine Tochter - Deine Tochter, Immer Ärger mit Hochwürden, Von uns für Sie, If Every Day Was Sunday, Jetzt geht die Party richtig los, Plattenküche, Da kommt was auf uns zu and Sunshine Reggae in Ibiza. He also appears in the musical Sweet Charity in 1979.

From the mid-1970s, Roberts also works as a music producer and lyricist.

Eurovision Song Contest

In 1985, Roberts represents Luxembourg at the Eurovision Song Contest as part of a sextet. The group performs “Children, Kinder, Enfants” in three languages and finishes 13th with 37 points.

Personal life and recordings with Claudia Roberts

He is married to singer and actress Claudia Roberts, and the two often perform together on stage. Their joint recordings include Wenn jeder Tag ein Sonntag wär', Traumluftballon, Vergiß die Liebe nicht! and Ein Mädchen nach Mass.

Discography

Roberts’ albums include Die Maschen der Mädchen, Chris Roberts, Verliebt in die Liebe, Zum Verlieben, Hab' Sonne im Herzen, Love me, Hab' ich dir heute schon gesagt, daß ich dich liebe, Eine Freude vertreibt 100 Sorgen, Ein paar schöne Stunden, Dezember, Du kannst nicht immer 17 sein, Hautnah, Hinter den Wolken ist immer Sonnenschein, Meine grossen Erfolge, Momente and several best-of and anniversary compilations issued across the 1990s and 2000s.

Awards

He receives Goldene Europa awards in 1970, 1971 and 1975. He also wins Bravo Otto awards, including gold in 1971 and 1972, and silver at the end of 1972. Later honours include the Goldene Stimmgabel in 1981, 1984 and 1985.

Death

Roberts dies in Berlin in 2017.