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Mourning for Austropop star: Martin Soberl Sobotka dies at the age of 51
Austropop mourning: Martin “Soberl” Sobotka, frontman of the band Wiener madness, dies unexpectedly at the age of 51. Fans and friends express their sadness.
Mourning for Austropop star: Martin Soberl Sobotka dies at the age of 51
Grief and dismay have shaken the Viennese music scene as Martin “Soberl” Sobotka, the frontman and guitarist of the well-known band “Wiener madness”, died on Friday at the age of 51. Shortly before his death, he celebrated his 51st birthday, which was a happy event for him and his wife Nadine Michels-Sobotka. His sudden death now seems all the more tragic, as it has left not only his bandmates, but also numerous fans and fellow musicians in deep mourning. Many musicians such as Gary Lux and Lizz Görgl expressed their dismay and condolences on social media. The loss of Sobotka leaves a huge void in the local music scene. Reported today that…
The cult band “WienerMadness”, known for hits like “Ned gescheid aber geil” and “Café Hummel”, had planned a concert at the Ottakringer Kirtag for Friday, but it had to be canceled at short notice for health reasons. The stage was already set up and the fans were waiting for the performance when the sobering announcement came that the concert could not take place. Instead, DJ Alex List performed, much to the dismay of fans who had been looking forward to the band's iconic songs. “We are incredibly sad and can’t believe it,” said the band on Facebook. Ö24 reports that...
The path to success
“WienerMadness” was founded in Vienna in 1999 and has since conquered a permanent place in the Austropop scene. Their second album “Gar ned so deppert” reached number 4 in the Austrian charts in 2001 and is still a milestone in the band’s history today. Austropop itself has a long tradition in Austria, dating back to the late 1960s. Artists such as Falco, Wolfgang Ambros and Georg Danzer shaped the genre, which is characterized by its songs in Austrian dialect and its combination of many musical styles. Wikipedia explains that...
Martin Sobotka was not only an outstanding frontman, but also a talented songwriter who contributed to the further development of Austropop with his band. Despite his successes, Sobotka has struggled with health challenges in recent years. In 2023 he had to take a twelve-week break, including six weeks in rehab. In an interview he emphasized that he did not want to return to the situation that led to this break. A month later came the unexpected shock of his death, which left a deep impression on friends, families and fans.
A musical legacy
The influence of Martin Sobotka and “Wiener madness” on the local music scene cannot be overestimated. Their legacy will live on through the numerous hits and the love that fans and companions now show to commemorate the music and the person Martin Sobotka.
At a time when Austropop is experiencing a renaissance, the sudden loss reminds us of how fragile life is and how valuable music is as part of our culture. It remains to be hoped that the memories of a great artist like Sobotka will be carried forward, not only in the hearts of fans, but also in Austrian music history.