Roland Kaiser

Roland Kaiser: An icon of the German pop song

For decades, Roland Kaiser has been the undisputed leader of the German pop world. His gentle voice, soulful lyrics and charismatic stage presence have made him a true icon. He is more than just a singer; he is an institution whose influence spans generations. With over 90 million records sold and countless sold-out concerts, including the legendary “Kaisermania” in Dresden, Kaiser has secured a firm place in the hearts of his fans. His music is an integral part of the German cultural landscape, and his enduring popularity is testament to a deep connection with his audience.

The story of Roland Kaiser begins as Ronald Keiler, born on May 10, 1952 in Berlin. He was born in West Berlin and grew up with a foster mother in the Wedding district of Berlin. His biological mother was only 17 years old when she gave him up to an orphanage after his birth. He found a modest but loving home with his foster mother. At the age of 15, he was orphaned when his foster mother died. After finishing secondary school, he trained as a car salesman. He worked in the advertising department of a Ford dealer until the mid-1970s.

It was during this time that his musical talent was discovered. Music producer Gerd Kämpfe recognized his potential when Kaiser was working in the automotive industry. Thus began a new era for Ronald Keiler under the stage name Roland Kaiser. The choice of this stage name was a strategic move, possibly to create a more sonorous and memorable identity in the music world.

His musical career began in the 1970s. In 1974, he released his first single under the name Roland Kaiser: “Was ist wohl aus ihr geworden?”. He celebrated his first success in the charts in 1976 with the song “Frei, das heißt allein”, which reached number 14. In 1980, he took part in the German preliminary decision for the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Hier kriegt jeder sein Fett”, but was unable to make it through. In the same year, he made his big breakthrough with the newly recorded Oliver Onions hit “Santa Maria”. He also received the Golden Record. This song sold 1.2 million copies and remained at the top of the German charts for six weeks.

This success finally catapulted him into the circle of top German pop stars. In the following years, he established himself as a permanent fixture in the genre with further hits such as “Dich zu lieben” (1981), “Joana” (1984) and “Sieben Fässer Wein” (1977). Kaiser’s music is characterized by catchy melodies, often soulful lyrics and his unmistakable voice. His ability to establish an emotional connection with his audience is an essential part of his success.

Over the course of his long career, Roland Kaiser has released an impressive 29 studio albums. His first number one album was “Dich zu lieben” from 1981, which reached platinum status. Other albums that enjoyed great success were “Gefühle sind frei” (1983) and “Ich fühl’ mich wohl in deinem Leben” (1984), both of which reached the top of the charts. More recently, he has celebrated further successes with albums such as “Alles oder Dich” (2019), which reached number 2 in Germany , and “Perspektiven” (2022), with which he reached the top of the German album charts for the first time since 1981. His versatility is also evident in his Christmas albums.

Roland Kaiser has demonstrated remarkable musical consistency throughout his career. His ability to release albums over five decades is testament to a strong commitment to his craft. His later works have also enjoyed great popularity and commercial success , underlining his continued relevance in the ever-changing musical landscape. In addition, he has explored various thematic and stylistic areas within the pop genre, including Christmas music , which illustrates his artistic range.

A special phenomenon in Kaiser’s career are the annual “Kaisermania” concerts in Dresden as part of the Filmnächte am Elbufer. This legendary open-air event has become an integral part of the German music scene and attracts tens of thousands of fans every year. Up to 50,000 visitors per evening flock to the banks of the Elbe to experience the unique atmosphere created by Kaiser’s performance and the picturesque backdrop of Dresden’s old town. Many fans travel from all over Europe to be part of this cult event. The concerts are known for their exuberant atmosphere and often sell out within minutes. Some of these special evenings have been broadcast live on MDR television, reaching an audience of millions.

In 2015, Kaiser became the first artist to play four concerts in one season with over 50,000 visitors, setting a new record. In 2023, Kaisermania celebrated its 20th anniversary, and in 2022 Kaiser was awarded the Golden Hen for his life’s work “Kaisermania”. However, there is currently news of a possible relocation of the Kaisermania from 2026 due to new plans by the city of Dresden. This event is not only of great importance for the fans, but also an important economic factor for Dresden and the region. Studies show that the Kaisermania makes a significant contribution to the city’s tourism revenue.

Roland Kaiser has been committed to social causes for many years. He is a board member of the Solidarfonds Stiftung NRW and supports children’s hospices and the Albert Schweitzer Children’s Villages, among others, as an ambassador. Supporting the World Transplant Games 2025 in Dresden, of which he is an ambassador, plays a special role for him. His own fate – he received a lung transplant in 2010 – connects him to this topic in a personal way. In addition to his social commitment, Kaiser is also politically active. He has been a member of the SPD since 2002 and supported Gerhard Schröder in the 2005 election campaign and the party in 2013.

He took part in anti-Pegida demonstrations in Dresden in 2015 and took a clear stance against the movement. He has received numerous awards for his commitment, including the Federal Cross of Merit in 2016 for his commitment to disadvantaged children and organ donation, the Albert Schweitzer Prize of the Children’s Villages in 2016 and the Echo for Social Commitment, also in 2016. He was awarded the Honorary Prize of the Solidarfonds Stiftung NRW in 2011.

Roland Kaiser’s private life has also left its mark on him. He was married three times: first to Christina Keiler (divorced), then to the actress Anja Schüte (from 1990 to 1995, divorced, one son named Hendrik). Since 1996 he has been married to Silvia, with whom he has two more children: a son called Tim and a daughter called Annalena. In total, Roland Kaiser has three children.

Even today, in 2025, Roland Kaiser is still incredibly active and relevant. In February 2025, his latest album “Marathon” was released, reaching number 2 in the charts in Germany and number 1 in Austria. In October 2025, the concert film “50 Years of Roland Kaiser – A Life for Music” will be released. This film will include footage of his anniversary concert in Leipzig (July 2024), backstage moments and interviews. He will also continue to tour, including the Arena Tour 2025 and open-air concerts in summer 2025. His commitment to the World Transplant Games 2025 in Dresden remains unbroken. His autobiography “Sonnenseite”, published in 2021, was also a great success and reached number 1 on the Spiegel bestseller list.

Roland Kaiser is a defining figure in German pop music and one of the genre’s most successful artists. With over 90 million records sold, he has established himself as one of the giants of German-language music. His ability to remain relevant across different musical eras and appeal to a cross-generational audience is remarkable. His fan base spans three generations. Kaiser has not only significantly influenced the world of Schlager, but has also had a lasting impact on German pop culture. His music often touches on more complex emotions and also addresses social issues. His enduring popularity and influence show that he is an artist who is constantly reinventing himself without forgetting his roots.

Roland Kaiser’s journey from Berlin orphan to pop star is a story of talent, resilience and a deep connection with his audience. He has not only shaped the German music landscape, but also touched the lives of millions of people with his songs and his tireless commitment to his craft and social causes. He continues to tour, release new music and champion important social issues. His legacy as a true icon of German music is therefore firmly established and promises to continue to inspire and entertain in the future.

Famous songs by Roland Kaiser

• 1976 Free – that means alone
• 1977 Seven barrels of wine
• 1980 Santa Maria
• 1981 to love you
• 1981 Love me one last time
• 1982 Sometimes I would like to be with you
• 1984 Joana
• 1991 Wind on the skin and Lisa
• 1998 Extreme
• 2014 Why didn’t you say no (with Maite Kelly)
• 2016 The best thing about life
• 2017 No problem
• 2019 Love can save us
• 2019 No reason to stay
• 2024 My secret

Studio albums by Roland Kaiser

• 1976 Verde – Free – That means alone
• 1977 I’m not sorry for one hour
• 1979 Something from me
• 1980 Santa Maria
• 1981 to love you
• 1982 In thoughts with you
• 1983 Feelings are free
• 1984 I feel good in your life
• 1985 Heart over head
• 1986 I want you
• 1987 On the way to you
• 1988 Sidelights
• 1989 Women
• 1990 HeartTime
• 1992 South of me
• 1993 Crazy about you
• 1994 Today and here
• 1996 Boundless
• 1998 Boundless II
• 1999 In the midst of life
• 2001 Everything from the beginning
• 2002 Checkmate
• 2011 Everything is possible
• 2012 Affairs
• 2014 Soul paths
• 2016 Turned upside down
• 2019 All or you
• 2021 Christmas time
• 2022 Perspectives
• 2025 Marathon