With snappy humor and sharp observation, Rainhard Fendrich shaped the Austrian music landscape like no other. On February 27, 2025, the exceptional artist from Vienna celebrates his 70th birthday. The ORF congratulates on the anniversary with an extensive program in ORF 2 and on ORF on: On February 17th, among other things, the “Radio Wien Club concert” (23.15 p.m.), which is recorded this year, will be on the program on February 20. One of which – Rainhard Fendrich on the 70th birthday ”at 9:05 p.m. the impressive path of the Viennese from Theater an der Vienna to his current album” eyelash strike “with personal insights, previously unpublished archive material and exclusive studio recordings. There is also a reunion with film classics like “The Girl from the Cake” – including on a long film night on February 27th. ORF III also recognizes the jubilee with several programs: from “I am from Austria – The Success Musical” on February 23 to the new production “Rainhard Fendrich – The Best TV Moments” on March 1st as well as further concert recordings and films with the Audience favorite.
Colorful program bouquet for birthday: new TV portrait, concert recordings and film classics
Already on January 30th, Rainhard Fendrich, together with Thomas Stipsits, was a guest in the ORF -Nighttalk “Stöckl” – to see ORF ON. Now there is the continuation of the program for its anniversary: The start on Monday, February 17th, at 11:15 p.m. in ORF 2 and on ORF on the “Radio Vienna Club concert” recorded in early February 2025 with the exceptional musician. In the ORF Radioculture House he presented his new album “Eyeline hit” and not only celebrated his 70th birthday, but also his 45th anniversary. Before that, at 10:30 p.m., the “cultural monday” also appreciates the artist, who has lived through a lot of ups and downs.
On Thursday, February 20, at 9:05 p.m. in ORF 2 and on ORF ON, the new film portrait “I never wanted to be one of them – Rainhard Fendrich on his 70th birthday”. to his current album. Fendrich gives personal insights on a walk through the Vienna Ahrenberg Park, where he tells of his not always easy childhood. These early experiences shaped his artistic work, which started in 1980 with the rebellious album “I never wanted to be one of them”. This was followed by hits like “Strada del Sole”, “Macho Macho”, “Long live the sport” and “Weus’d a Herz Hast Wia a Bergwerk”, which made him a celebrated songwriter. With “I am from Austria” Fendrich created the nation’s unofficial hymn in 1989. What was intended as a critical reflection became an emotional confession of an entire generation. As a moderator of the “Million Show”, “Herzblatt” and “Nix is fix”, he also demonstrated his entertainer talent on television.
Based on exclusive studio recordings and a concert recording, the documentary shows how Fendrich still inspires his audience with a pointed tongue and a fine feeling for the absurdities of everyday life. And previously unpublished archive material documents the various facets of his artistic work: the biting satirist, the gifted entertainer, the thoughtful songwriter. The documentation draws the portrait of a man who started as a rebellious artist and became a national institution – without becoming unfaithful to himself. ORF 2 shows a 50 -minute version of the documentation – the long version is available on ORF ON.
Film classics with Rainhard Fendrich are on the program to get in the mood for the anniversary of the Austropop legend with “beloved opponent” (9.55 a.m.) and “The Honor of the Strizzis” (11:25 a.m.) on February 22nd. The birthday of the multi -talent is celebrated on February 27 with a long film night – “Feeling is everything” (0.10 a.m.), “The girl from the cake” (1.45 a.m.) and “Fröhlich divorced” (3:15 a.m.).
ORF III also dedicated several programs to the jubilee: On Sunday, February 23, “I am from Austria – The Success Musical” (8:15 p.m.), based on hits by Rainhard Fendrich, from the Raimund Theater in the original staging by Andreas Gergen to see. On Friday, February 28th, the films “Fröhlich divorced” (9:55 p.m.) shown the day before in ORF 2 will follow the action comedy “Coconuts” (0.55 a.m.). Another evening in Rainhard Fendrichs is on Saturday, March 1st, on the program: With the concerts “Rainhard Fendrich – Symphonian in Schönbrunn” (8:15 p.m.) from 2022 and “Live from the Danube Island Festival: Rainhard Fendrich” ( 10.40 p.m.), in between you can see the new production “Rainhard Fendrich – The Best TV Moments” (9:20 p.m.). On March 2, ORF III repeated the romantic comedies “Fröhlich divorced” (12.25 p.m.), “The girl from the cake” (2 p.m.) and “Feeling is everything” (3:30 p.m.) and the humorous crime thriller “Loved opponent” ( 5.10 p.m.) and “The Honor of the Strizzis” (6.40 p.m.).