Chris Doerk makes triumphant return to music at 84 with new album
Beloved Schlager Star Announces Surprise Comeback at 84—"Wow"
In our series "Where Are They Now? Forgotten Stars," we report on the unexpected return of a once-legendary schlager singer.
Berlin – Chris Doerk (84) was once one of the most popular schlager stars in former East Germany. Together with her schlager colleague—and then-partner—Frank Schöbel (83), she formed the ultimate dream team of the East, both personally and musically, achieving massive success in the 1960s and 1970s. After their divorce in 1974, Doerk largely faded from the spotlight. She continued to perform on stage, often alongside her ex-husband Schöbel, most recently at a film screening in 2023 in Hartha (Saxony). But new music? That hadn't happened in ages—her last album, Nur eine Sommerliebe (Just a Summer Love), was released in 2012.
Few fans could have hoped for a major comeback 14 years later, especially after troubling reports emerged in 2023 about a serious illness. Doerk had been battling the aftereffects of a COVID-19 infection and was forced to cancel all her engagements. "It was awful," she told Superillu at the time, as reported by T-Online. "For three weeks, we could only lie there. The neighbors did our shopping for us."
Schlager Comeback: Chris Doerk Releases First Album Since 2012
Now, the unexpected has happened: A new album by Chris Doerk is on the way. The news was first shared recently by André Peickert, who runs the music companies AP-Music and Stonelandemotion in Muldenstein, Saxony-Anhalt. About two weeks ago, the label boss revealed on Facebook that Doerk would be releasing a new album with his firm.
One photo shows Doerk with Peickert; in another, she poses with Karsten Zischner, Peickert's right-hand man and musical partner in a schlager duo. Doerk has since posted the announcement and photos on her own Facebook page.
"Dear friends… something new and musically wonderful is coming your way!" she wrote. "After a cozy meeting in Berlin, I've decided that my new album will be released in collaboration with these two music companies. Stay tuned—there will be some fantastic songs."
Fans have reacted with enthusiasm, flooding the post with hundreds of likes and comments: "I'm so excited, dear Chris, and I wish you all the best!""This sounds great—I can't wait!""Wow, what a wonderful surprise!""Now I'm really curious!""This is amazing!" and "How lovely!"
When asked by our editorial team how the collaboration with the former schlager icon came about, Peickert explained: "It happened by chance through Uwe Schikora—we work together musically and are friends." Schikora, a renowned music producer, was once part of Doerk and Schöbel's backing band. "He put me in touch with Chris Doerk, we started talking, and I learned that she had songs she wanted to release. That's how the idea of a comeback album took shape."
Doerk appears to have recovered from her 2023 illness. "We met up recently—she's doing great, full of life," Peickert said. The album is set for release very soon. "It will drop digitally on April 25 through our label," he added. "There will also be a limited run of CDs and vinyl records via Magic Picture Post Production Thomas Booch. The CD comes out in April, with the vinyl following a little later."
Chris Doerk's New Album Titled Give Every Day a Laugh
The album will be called Schenk jedem Tag ein Lachen (Give Every Day a Laugh), reflecting Doerk's personal motto. In a 2022 interview with Superillu for her 80th birthday, she said: "I think my fountain of youth is silliness. Laughter has carried me through so many crises." She still loved her work, she added. "I enjoy it tremendously and am truly grateful that I can still do it. My voice is in great shape, and when I perform live, I never forget the lyrics. The stage, the music—that's my life."
