taking leave
“He was brilliant” – GDR rock star Ralf “Bummi” Bursy died
Ralf «Bummi» Bursy (1988). Photo: Klaus Winkler/dpa-Zentralbild/dpa
© dpa-infocom GmbH
Electric guitar, leather jacket and streaked 80s hairstyle – this is how fans remember the musician Ralf “Bummi” Bursy. In the late GDR the singer was very popular. He has now died at the age of 66.
In the last years of the GDR, Ralf “Bummi” Bursy had his big hits as a solo artist. “Eh’ die Liebe dies” and “Feuer im Eis” were the titles that the then 30-year-old sang with a rocking attitude.
As was in keeping with the spirit of the times, Bursy wore a striking mullet hairstyle at the time. He recently retired from the music business. He died on Monday after a serious illness at the age of 66, as his wife Regina told the German Press Agency.
Bursy had already started with music as a schoolboy. He completed an apprenticeship as a mechanical engineer and later distance learning at the Hanns Eisler Music Academy in his hometown of Berlin. With the band Biscuit he landed his first major hit with “You make me love”. He later switched to Prinzip and then decided on a solo career under his nickname “Bummi”.
Photography as a passion
After the fall of the Wall, Bursy continued to work as a producer, refining songs for Dagmar Frederic and Nena, among other things, as music manager Jürgen Kerber said. “He was brilliant, always up to date, not old-fashioned.” But at some point Bursy slowly withdrew from music.
The Berliner remained creative – photography was another great passion of his. He ran a marketing agency and was a sports photographer. Whether it’s boxing or football, cycling or a marathon – he has the necessary passion and craziness to have the right eye in every situation, according to the company website. “Bummi” is also said to have had great qualities as a skat player, the “Bild” newspaper reported.
He was no longer looking for the big stage. His wife said Wednesday he didn’t want big news about his death.