Peter Maffay: A moving farewell after 55 years on stage

Peter Maffay: A moving farewell after 55 years on stage

Leipzig - after more than half a century on the big stages, full of music, emotions and unforgettable appearances, Peter Maffay officially ended his career. The 75-year-old artist leaves the world of show business, not without looking back on his exciting life. In the ARD documentary "Maffay-for the 75th birthday of Peter Maffay" he brings his fans close that in addition to the spotlight, there is also a different, rich reality of life that he previously neglected.

The Romanian, who is known for his profound texts and his unique voice, remembers his first appearance in Leipzig shortly after the fall of the Berlin Wall. It was a memorable moment on June 11, 1990 when it was overwhelmed by the positive energy of the audience. "This force, this confidence, this feeling of happiness - for me it was rarely something so moving," said Maffay. Well, 34 years later, he has left his music career behind him and Cruished on his Harley-Davidson in a new phase of life. "After 55 years of lane there are now a few side routes," says the musician thoughtful.

a new phase of life

At the end of his trip, Maffay realizes that he has now found the time to devote himself to his family and the values of life. At his side, his wife Hendrikje Balsmeyer, who became his great love after he met him as a fan at a concert in 2015. Your relationship has developed strongly since then; She is not only his partner, but also the mother of his youngest child, Anouk.

Despite his fame, the father of two, especially his son Yaris (20), had to painfully learn in the past that the job was often priority. "In my childhood my father was [...] very little, very little," recalls Yaris. Maffay is aware of the failures and has made a firm job to catch up with his children.

his long and successful life as a musician not only brought success, but also challenges and profound personal battles. Maffay confesses that he lived excessively for a while and had to struggle with alcohol. "I drank like a hole," he looks back on his more difficult days. But as he emphasizes, this time belongs to the past. His wife Hendrikje supports his decision to withdraw from the music stage, while Maffay assures that music will continue to play an important role in his life, even if he is no longer in the spotlight.

A look at the documentation

The ARD documentary "Maffay-For the 75th birthday of Peter Maffay" gives the audience intimate insights into the farewell tour of the artist and his reflections on his career. This document is a tribute to a man who shares his special moments with the fans and shows the human face behind the star. Fans can see the documentation on Friday at 10:20 p.m. in the first or call them up in the media library.

With his decisions and back views, Peter Maffay shows that true fulfillment goes far beyond fame and success. He decided to leave the stage to enjoy life in all its facets.