German singer
Singer and actor.
In 1950 he toured Sweden with Arne Hlphers and Zarah Leander.
His most popular song was the 1957 published Der lachende Vagabund, a cover version of Jim Lowes song Gamblers Guitar.
In the course of his career Bertelsmann sold more than 40 million records. Many of his tunes have become standards.
Bertelmann was one of the most successful German pop artist in the fifties and sixties.
In order to finance his vocal studies, he played Dixie and Swing music in Nuremberg bars.
In World War II, he fought in the Wehrmacht but then became a prisoner of war and was sent to Alabama, where he first heard of swing music. After his return to Germany he founded his own band and often performed in American GI clubs in Germany.
Fred appeared and performed in the 1966 Euro-western musical "A Fistful of Songs" and sang the song "Wenn ich dich anseh".
His super hit was "Der lachende Vagabund" made in 1957. The record sold five million copies. The song was an integral part of his stage performances and led to his making films, records and other musical performances in the United States possible.
He was married to the former television presenter and actress Ruth Kappelsberger since 1966.
