German Folk Singer. He was born Ludwig Franz Hirtreiter in Straubing, Bavaria but in the mid-1950s he adopted the stage name Alexander Gildo, later shortening it to Rex Gildo. He was a singer of Schlager ballads who reached the height of his popularity in the 1960s and 1970s, selling over 25 million records and starring in film and television roles. His first performance was with the Munich Kammerspiele theatre group in 1956. He soon went to television and film, as well as performing as a singer. His most popular songs, such as Speedy Gonzales (1962), Goodbye Susanna (1965) and Fiesta Mexicana (1972), were popular during the 1960s and 1970s in Germany. His music and films sold well there and he also starred in his own television program, Gestatten - Rex Gildo. During the 1980s and 1990s, his popularity went down and he only appeared mostly at folk festivals, shopping centers and other similar venues. It was also reported that he had problems with alcoholism. His final performance was on the day of his suicide attempt. He had performed in front of more than 3000 people at a furniture shop outside Frankfurt. Gildo died in 1999, having spent three days in an artificially-induced coma after attempting suicide by jumping from the window of his apartment building. He was said to have been suffering psychological problems. After his death it was published that he was gay and had been in a relationship with Dave Klingeberg, his secretary, and with whom he lived for 7 years.
German Folk Singer. He was born Ludwig Franz Hirtreiter in Straubing, Bavaria but in the mid-1950s he adopted the stage name Alexander Gildo, later shortening it to Rex Gildo. He was a singer of Schlager ballads who reached the height of his popularity in the 1960s and 1970s, selling over 25 million records and starring in film and television roles. His first performance was with the Munich Kammerspiele theatre group in 1956. He soon went to television and film, as well as performing as a singer. His most popular songs, such as Speedy Gonzales (1962), Goodbye Susanna (1965) and Fiesta Mexicana (1972), were popular during the 1960s and 1970s in Germany. His music and films sold well there and he also starred in his own television program, Gestatten - Rex Gildo. During the 1980s and 1990s, his popularity went down and he only appeared mostly at folk festivals, shopping centers and other similar venues. It was also reported that he had problems with alcoholism. His final performance was on the day of his suicide attempt. He had performed in front of more than 3000 people at a furniture shop outside Frankfurt. Gildo died in 1999, having spent three days in an artificially-induced coma after attempting suicide by jumping from the window of his apartment building. He was said to have been suffering psychological problems. After his death it was published that he was gay and had been in a relationship with Dave Klingeberg, his secretary, and with whom he lived for 7 years.
Bio by: Glendora
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