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Austropop shock: Martin Sobotka dies unexpectedly at the age of 51!
The Austropop star Martin Sobotka from “Wiener madness” died unexpectedly at the age of 51, shortly before a concert in Vienna.
Austropop shock: Martin Sobotka dies unexpectedly at the age of 51!
A shock goes through the Austropop scene: Martin “Soberl” Sobotka, the charismatic frontman of the popular band “Wiener madness”, died on September 19, 2025 at the age of just 51. The tragic death was announced just hours before an announced performance at the Ottakringer Kirtag in Vienna, where the audience was already waiting for the cult band. The organizers had previously canceled the concert due to “health reasons”, without realizing that this would be the sad prelude to shocking news. As Merkur reports, the band confirmed the death in an emotional Facebook post and expressed their deep sadness.
Sobotka celebrated his 51st birthday just three days earlier, on September 16th, with his family, including his wife Nadine Michels-Sobotka. Nothing is yet known about the exact cause of death; According to media reports, he was found lifeless in his apartment. This news caused consternation among his fans and colleagues. On oe24 many expressed expressions of grief on social media, and the band's manager, Peter Pernica, shared a nostalgic memory of the upcoming performance.
A life for music
Martin Sobotka has been the face of the group since it was founded in 1999 and became known in the Austrian music scene with hits such as “Ned g’scheit, aber geil”, “Café Hummel” and “Deppert sein”. The band was very popular with fans and was an integral part of cultural life, especially at the Ottakringer Kirtag, where they also created a great atmosphere in 2023 and 2024.
However, the path to these successes was not always easy. In 2023, Sobotka spoke openly about his health challenges and his struggles with panic attacks. He took a twelve-week break, including six weeks in a rehabilitation clinic. In an interview, he emphasized that he did not want to return to the same situation he was in before. Despite these difficulties, Sobotka was a fighter and intended to continue his musical journey.
Mourning in the music world
The unexpected news of his death deeply affected not only his family, but also friends and fans. “We are incredibly sad and cannot believe it,” said the band in their mourning post. Without the planned concert on Friday evening, which should have started at 7:30 p.m., DJ Alex List performed instead and bridged the time after a longer set by the opening act Marc Miner & Last Heroes, who set the stage for the upcoming event.
In these difficult hours, the incredible affection that Sobotka and “Wiener madness” enjoy in the Austrian music scene becomes apparent. The loss of a talent like Martin Sobotka leaves a huge void that will be difficult to fill.