It is definitely the last performance of his life!
Schlager legend Jürgen Drews (77, “Ein Bett im Kornfeld”) ended his career on Saturday on the ARD show “Der Große Schlagerabschied” (8:15 p.m.) after more than 50 years. The reason for the stage-off is his incurable nervous disease polyneuropathy, which increasingly restricts the singer’s movements.
Jürgen Drews on stage with moderator Florian Silbereisen
moderator Florian Silbereisen (41) rolls out the red carpet for a whole show for the “King of Mallorca”. He to BILD: “ Roland Kaiser, Maite Kelly, Andrew Gabalier and many other stars bow in the big farewell show to the man who has been one of the great Schlager legends for decades.
And further: “With the very last appearance of Jürgen Drews is the end of an era! I still can’t believe it’s really the last time he’s singing his hits and celebrating with us.”
︎ BILD was there when the show was recorded in Leipzig and accompanied Jürgen Drews on his last day at work.
Jürgen and his wife Ramona on the way to the stage. She says, “Honey, we’ve got all the time in the world now”
The singer looks handsome in a white gold sparkly tuxedo. He announces in a good mood: “Tonight I want to know it again!” Always by his side: his wife Ramona (49).
Many colleagues storm Drews backstage. Among them Thomas Anders (59). He was often confused with Drews in the 1980s. Both were tanned and had long dark hair.
Thomas Anders (left) greets Jürgen Drews with a handshake
Drews to Anders: “You’re a great guy! But you shouldn’t have cut your hair off.” Anders laughs: “I’m not walking around with those Winnetou curls anymore today!”
Roland Kaiser (70) hugs Drews and wishes him all the best. Kaiser to BILD: “I have many shared memories with Jürgen in the 70s. It was a pretty wild time back then.”
Two music legends: Roland Kaiser (right) puts his arm on Jürgen Drews’ shoulder
Silbereisen also hugs his friend and promises: “We’ll say goodbye to you as you deserve and celebrate you again today with a very big, very last party!” Jürgen hugs Florian lovingly and jokes: “Be glad that you are not a woman! Otherwise I would kiss you now.”
Before the performance, Drews sits relaxed with colleagues in the canteen, talking about the old days. Then it’s off to make-up, where he gets his hair and make-up done for his performance.
Drews: “I no longer dye my hair dark like I have in the last few years, I leave it as it is. That’s why they look lighter. But I’m only gray on the temples.”
Florian Silbereisen (left) backstage with Jürgen Drews
At the beginning of the show, Silbereisen announces the star guest with loving words.
As he takes the stage, he is greeted by enthusiastic applause. Drews is touched and takes a seat with his wife Ramona on a couch from which he will watch the entire show.
While Jürgen Drews is being made up, his colleague Ross Antony (48) is flirting with him
Between his own performances with his greatest hits, many colleagues sing songs just for him. Ben Zucker (39) even wrote a song for Jürgen: “The bed in the cornfield is now empty.”
Drews can’t hold back his tears during the song, tears of emotion also flow in the audience.
Jürgen Drews wipes away his tears with a handkerchief. Ramona (left) and daughter Joelina are also touched
Another highlight of the show: Jürgen’s duet with his daughter Joelina Drews (27), “We’ve got tonight”. Here, too, Jürgen has to cry and Joelina has a few tears. Just like in the audience.
There are fireworks at the end of the show, and Jürgen Drews sings “Ein Bett im Kornfeld” again with everyone involved.
Jürgen Drews kisses his daughter Joelina Drews’ hand during the performance
After the show, Jürgen drops into a chair at the edge of the stage. He says: “It was so beautiful! But now it’s over! I stay to my word.”
Ramona Drews crouches next to her husband and holds his hand: “Honey, we have all the time in the world now!”
Jürgen Drews (left) with BILD reporter Mark Pittelkau, who has accompanied him as a journalist for 25 years
At least this evening is not quite over for Jürgen. He’s moving on to the after show party with his family.
Drews: “I’m fit, feeling fabulous.” He’s been on his feet for more than twelve hours. You don’t notice his illness at all today. At the party, Drews fortifies himself with goulash and ice cream. Again he is swarmed by many colleagues who want to say goodbye to him.
Florian Silbereisen bows to Jürgen Drews in the show finale
Jürgen seems happy and at peace with his farewell. Drews moved to BILD: “I thank Florian for letting me say goodbye to the stage, my audience and my dear colleagues with such a great show. I leave with a smile and a few tears. I’m not scared of what’s coming because I have my family.”
At around 2 a.m. he is driven home in a black station wagon. From the window he waves to the BILD reporter again and shows the victory sign.
Breather backstage after the show: Ramona holds her husband’s hand
Ramona and Jürgen Drews at the party buffet
The Drews family at the ice cream stand at the after show party
Ben Zucker (left) and Jürgen Drews flirt at the party after the show
Party talk: Jürgen Drews (l.) and Volks-Rock’n’Roller Andreas Gabalier
Jürgen Drews before leaving for home on his last day at work. At the wheel: his wife Ramona
Take care, Jurgen! As it says in one of your songs: Someday, somewhere, somehow we’ll see each other again…
