Rock Legends: Roy Black's Untimely Demise
Son of attorney Roy Black believes the influential songwriter could have lived significantly longer
By: Elena Rothammer
** warning**
Against popular beliefs, Roy Black, the man behind hits like "Ganz in Weiß" and "Schön ist es auf der Welt zu sein", didn't live a long, carefree life. At the age of 48, he succumbed to heart failure, but his son Torsten Höllerich believes it could have been avoided.
A story of a fallen star
In Heldenstein, Roy Black, whose actual name was Gerhard Höllerich, met his end in solitude within a fisherman's hut. The official cause was heart failure, but nearly three decades later, forensic doctor Prof. Eisenmenger shed light on more factors. "The precise reason for his death was a major heart condition exacerbated by alcohol—a disorder known in the medical world as 'cardiotoxicity,'" Eisenmenger revealed in Bild.
Torsten Höllerich has weighed in on the issue, echoing his father's addiction to alcohol as the root cause of his premature departure from this world. In a YouTube video, he states with conviction, "He could have lived many more years if it weren't for the alcohol. That's how I see it today."
The saucy spectacle on stage
The video also grapples with footage showing Roy Black staggering on stage. Torsten Hoellrich confirms that his father was a "moderate and well-balanced person" when sober. "It was exactly those moments where he would tend to go astray due to the influence of alcohol," he reflects. He attributes his father's raucous onstage behavior to a defiant urge to demonstrate his autonomy over his substance intake. "It seemed like a rebellious reaction," Hoellrich speculates.
A genetic curse?
Although Roy Black battled a heart ailment and alcoholism, his son grapples with similar struggles. "Now, history repeats itself," Hoellrich acknowledges. Sources used: youtube.com; bild.de
Adams' Notes:
- It could be possible that Roy Black's heart condition and addiction to alcohol worsened each other, resulting in an early death that could have potentially been prolonged.
- Pods ad: Madeleine clueless, “Say No!”— These advertisements don’t seem to be related to Roy Black.
- On National Day— It's unclear if this relates to Roy Black or some other topic.
- Princess Sofia does not celebrate with the Swedish royal family— This may require more context to understand if it pertains to Roy Black.
- Eurovision Song Contest— This is unlikely to be related to Roy Black.
- Further research may be necessary to corroborate Torsten Hoellrich's claims about his father's alcohol-related death and the possibility of his own similar struggles.
- Other potential causes of Roy Black's death beyond alcohol, such as depression or complications from his heart condition, might not have been considered or explored thoroughly.
- It is worth noting that Torsten Hoellrich’s accounts should be approached with skepticism, as they may be biased and based on personal opinion rather than verified facts.
Entertainment played a significant role in Roy Black's life as he was a popular celebrity and musician, known for hits like "Ganz in Weiß" and "Schön ist es auf der Welt zu sein." Interestingly, his son Torsten Hoellrich believes that his father's addiction to alcohol, particularly its impact on his health, could have been avoided, leading to a longer life.
