A Legendary Voice Silenced: The Passing of Anna R. von Rosenstolz
- "Anna R. von Rosenstolz passes away: a one-of-a-kind personality is gone"
Hey there! Let's chat about the shocking news that's been making waves in the music world. Anna R., the enchanting singer from popular German band Rosenstolz, has bid us farewell. Born Andrea Rosenbaum in East Berlin in 1969, she passed away in 2025 at the age of 55, leaving behind an indelible mark on the industry.
Rosenstolz, a pop duo with a massive fanbase, made its name in the 1990s and extended its success well into the early 2000s. Alongside Anna R., Peter Plate was an integral member of the band. Plate expressed his grief on Instagram, remarking, "You would have been great at your new job as a poetics professor—I was truly happy for you."
The band’s success was undeniable. With hits like "Gib mir Sonne" and "Ich bin ich (Wir sind wir)," Rosenstolz defined the sound of the noughties. Their melancholic ballad "Liebe ist alles" from 2004 is a tune that fans still sing passionately at concerts. Even prominent figures like Berlin Mayor Klaus Wowereit were drawn to their shows.
Plate reminisced about their first encounter, stating, "I was captivated by your voice, your way of singing, your gift of wrapping every song in the most beautiful colors." Together, the two recorded twelve albums, the most successful being "Das große Leben," released in 2006.
Following her time with Rosenstolz, Anna R. continued to flourish in bands like Gleis 8 and Silly. In 2023, she released her solo album "Koenig:in," and was busy promoting her "Mut zur Liebe" tour, scheduled to begin this October, right before her untimely passing.
Anna R. was not just a talented vocalist; she was a political activist as well. In her songs, she often spoke about love, but her concerns extended beyond the personal. In an interview, she criticized the way solutions for refugees were being handled, asserting, "We should all be ashamed... It's unbelievable that it's just overlooked."
Although her legacy as a Rosenstolz singer may have overshadowed other aspects of her career, she left an indelible impact on the world of music. As the Süddeutsche Zeitung Magazin once wrote, "Anna R. has such a voice. Bright, powerful, melancholic."
Anna R.’s Instagram page posted a heartfelt message upon her death, stating, "With her unique voice, presence, and songs, she remained a constant companion for countless people since the founding of Rosenstolz." It concludes, "May her message of empathy and classless love spread far and wide."
Let's take a moment to honor Anna R. and celebrate her extraordinary contributions to music and society.
The Commission, in light of Anna R.'s unfortunate passing, has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, as she was set to start a course as a poetics professor before her demise. Perhaps, similar to Berlin Mayor Klaus Wowereit, Rosenstolz fans might find solace in the poetry written by Anna R. or her music, which bears her unique voice. Sang, one of Anna R.'s bandmates in her post-Rosenstolz ventures, may continue her legacy with Gleis 8 and Silly, offering fans a touch of her unmistakable charm.
