The life of the German chanson star Alexandra was bright, but, unfortunately, short. During her short career, she managed to realize herself as a performer, composer and talented musician.
She entered the list of stars who died at 27 years old. "Club 27" is the collective name for influential musicians who passed away at the age of 27, under very strange circumstances. Her death really took her fans by surprise as she was at the height of her popularity then.
Childhood and youth
Doris Traitz (real name of the singer) was born on May 19, 1942 in the small provincial town of Heidekrug. Doris recalled her childhood only in a positive way. In particular, she spoke warmly about her mother, who gave her the right life guide.
In the mid-40s of the last century, the Traitz family was forced to move to the Klaipeda region. Just at that time, a crowd led by Soviet soldiers was moving towards the town, and the move turned out to be the only chance to save one's life.
When Doris and her family moved to Germany, they settled in Kiel. Thanks to Slavic roots, Doris mastered not only German, but also Russian. In addition, she showed interest in Slavic and Romani cultures.
In the early 60s, the family moved to Hamburg. By that time, Doris had already formed hobbies and preferences. In the new town, she began to study graphic design closely. After some time, the girl additionally takes acting lessons.
When Doris performed on stage, she literally disconnected from everything that happened outside the studio. Playing on stage brought her frantic pleasure. She relaxed, which allowed her to reveal all her creative abilities. Even then, Doris realized that she was born for the stage.
The creative path of the singer Alexandra
When her studies were over, Doris plucked up courage and went with the Andalusian gypsies on a trip to Spain. After a long wandering, the girl learned several lessons for herself. First, she was interested. Secondly, on one interest you will not be full. Returning to her homeland, she gets a job in a local publication.
After working in the publication for some time, she was fired. By then, the scene and the music had got Doris so involved that she couldn't think of anything else. The girl's former boss turned out to be the best friend of producer Fred Weirich. He told his friend about the amazing abilities of the former subordinate. After some time, the producer will invite the girl to meet. Assessing the potential of Doris, he offered to sign her a contract to create a debut LP.
Soon she took on the uncomplicated creative pseudonym "Alexandra". Later it turns out that the singer took such a creative pseudonym for a reason, but in honor of her son Alexander.
The peak of the singer's popularity
The debut album of the German performer was called "Alexandra". It cannot be said that he brought her world fame. Everything changed with the release of the second collection in a row. We are talking about the record Premiere mit Alexandra. Longplay was warmly received by the public. This inspired the singer to go on tour, along with Hazi Osterwald. Artists traveled almost the entire Soviet Union.
When Alexandra returned home, she could not believe that she had become a real star. She was accepted at the highest level. The track Zigeunerjunge, which was included in the debut album, became the song of the year. Alexandra was at the peak of her popularity.
Soon the German performer met Gilbert Beko and the French performer Salvator Adamo. An ordinary acquaintance grew into a strong friendship. Soon the popular German singer Udo Jürgens will join the Trinity.
Adamo was in love with the magical voice of a German singer. He patronized Alexandra in France. In this country, the presentation of the track Tzigane (the French version of the song "Zigeunerjunge") took place, and he also managed to take the top lines of the hit parade.
Beko, Salvator Adamo and Udo Jurgens have always supported Alexandra. Until the death of the singer, they kept good friendly and working concerts. They dedicated compositions to each other and often performed together.
The singer's longplays were released in France and Germany in thousands of copies. She toured a lot in these countries. She was repeatedly invited to become a member of rating shows.
In total, the discography of the German performer is headed by 7 studio albums. Most likely, there would have been more records if it were not for the sudden death of the singer.
Details of the artist's personal life
She was only 19 when she met 50-year-old Nikolai Nefedov. Nikolai was a Russian immigrant from the United States of America. Nefedov rented a room from Alexandra's family, and in addition, he taught the girl Russian language lessons.
A few years later, he will make Alexandra a marriage proposal, and they will have a son. The birth of a child somewhat violated the plans of the singer. She had to cancel vocal lessons. She was forced to work by profession. The grandmother came to the rescue, who took responsibility for raising and caring for the newborn, while Alexandra returned to her creative life.
The girl began to work in the theater, and in addition, resumed vocal classes. Marriage with Nicholas was short-lived. They divorced, and Nefedov moved to the United States. From this marriage, the singer retained her stage name - Alexandra Nefedov.
In the last years of his life, Alexander was unrecognizable. It's all to blame - a tight tour schedule and constant changes in his personal life. She "sits" on strong sedatives and sleeping pills. During this period of time, Alexandra met a certain Pierre LaFer.
The woman tried not to spread, regarding this novel. However, it was still not possible to hide from the press the fact that at the end of the 60s the couple got engaged. For obvious reasons, the wedding did not take place.
Interesting facts about Alexandra
- In 2009, a street was named after the singer, where her house used to be.
- The performer's repertoire harmoniously combined German musical traditions, French chanson, Russian romances, and gypsy compositions.
- In the first compositions, the influence of the French stage of those times is strongly felt.
- On the grave of the artist, her creative pseudonym, Alexandra, was indicated.
- She is called the "German Edith Piaf".
Death of singer Alexandra
At the very end of July 69, she went to Hamburg. There she was poisoned in order to settle some working moments. Having decided all the cases, the German singer went on vacation. She was driving a brand new car.
Alexandra went on vacation, accompanied by her six-year-old son and mother. Before going on a trip, the singer sent the car for MOT. The inspection showed that the vehicle is in good working order and safe.
The celebrity behind the wheel was unable to control the car. At full speed, the girl crashed into a truck. The only one who survived this terrible car accident was the six-year-old son of the performer. After the death of his mother, the son went to live with his father in America. The singer's body is buried at the Westfriedhof cemetery in Munich.
After Alexandra's death, there were rumors that her death was a pre-planned murder. At the end of the 90s, film director Mark Bötcher published some recordings. He said that he received several anonymous messages regarding the death of the singer. In addition, he informed fans of Alexandra's work that he was starting his own independent investigation.
It turned out that he got documents from the Stasi. They indicated that Alexandra's lover Pierre Lafair was a secret American agent from Denmark, and it was possible that he was involved in the death of the singer.
Investigation into the death of singer Alexandra
It will take several months after the death of a celebrity, and facts will be revealed that will really force the police to initiate a criminal case. One of the main reasons for the additional investigation was that the protocols of the police examination did not correspond to the protocols of the examination in the mortuary.
Many were also surprised by the fact that the photographs from the scene of the accident did not show Alexandra's car, but the truck driver could not be found for more than 30 years. The singer's body was cremated the next day. That day there was a break-in at the morgue. Many were also surprised by the fact that a few days before her death, the singer herself chose a place in the cemetery for herself and her mother and insured her life for an impressive amount.
The facts seemed to scream that there had been a premeditated murder, but, unfortunately, the investigations led the experts to a dead end. A few years later, it was completely discontinued.
Only at the beginning of 2004 the investigation was continued. The fact is that experts found clear indications in the Stasi archives that the singer's lover was indeed a secret agent. The couple got engaged a few months before their death. The case was reopened.
After her death, the popularity of the singer has grown significantly. Alexandra's recordings are still being published, including those that music lovers have not yet heard. Her tracks are heard in shows, on radio stations and in popular projects. Concerts are held in her honor, and fans do not give a single chance to forget the name Alexandra.
