“Over Seven Bridges”
Karat co-founder Ulrich “Ed” Swillms has passed away
Ulrich “Ed” Swillms from the Berlin band Karat has died
© Bodo Schackow / Picture Alliance
Ulrich “Ed” Swillms has passed away. As a composer and pianist, the musician celebrated numerous successes with his band Karat.
“It is with a heavy heart and with deep sadness” that the Berlin band Karat announces on their Facebook page that Ulrich “Ed” Swillms, founding member and composer of some of their hits, has passed away. A management employee confirmed the death of the German Press Agency on Monday. Accordingly, the musician died on June 27th. Swillm’s most well-known song is the hit “Over Seven Bridges”, which was (also) sung by Peter Maffay.
Karat: Co-founder and composer Ulrich “Ed” Swillms has died
“He was buried quietly today, August 7, 2023. We respect his family’s concern that the funeral and Funeral service took place in the closest circles and follow their wish to announce Ed’s death only now,” writes the band on their website.
Born in Berlin in 1947, Swillms fell in love with playing the piano at an early age. Even as a child he was encouraged to play the piano, clarinet and cello. At the end of the 1960s he was part of the band Panta Rhei. The band existed until 1974 and then became Karat.
Band says goodbye: “Important composer”
“At this point at the latest, it quickly became clear that he was not only a passionate instrumentalist with great musical ability, but also an important composer who succeeded in creating pop melodies from the classical approach that are timeless and touch people,” describes it the band itself on the net.
And she mentions the great influence that Swillm’s work has on contemporary music. “Almost all the big Karat hits come from his pen. Peter Maffay, Helene Fischer, Chris de Burgh, Heinz Rudolf Kunze, Jan Josef Liefers and Max Raabe also sing his songs, among others,” the band members explain.
According to the band, Swillms never wanted to be called a genius. “But honor to whom honor is due. (…) And even if it’s only small consolation for his relatives, his songs live on in us forever,” says his band.
source: Karat on Facebook