Memorial celebration for Carlo von Tiedemann: Many gather in Michel in Hamburg

Family, friends, companions and fans gathered on July 10th at Michel in Hamburg to say goodbye to a commemoration of Carlo von Tiedemann (1943-2025). The NDR veteran died on Pentecost Sunday, June 8th, at the age of 81 and was already buried in a small circle in his homeland Quickborn.

The commemoration was also broadcast live by his house transmitter. Played by the NDR Bigband, the event began with the recognition melody of “Die Current Schaubude”, through which Carlo von Tiedemann had led for a long time. Pastor Julia Atze said that one could “actually not imagine” that his voice no longer sounds.

Pianist and composer Joja Wendt (60) played several pieces on the piano. The deceased once wished him a song by AC/DC. And he also fulfilled Carlo von Tiedemann this wish with a version of “Thunderstruck” during the commemorative service with great applause.

In front of a portrait photo near the altar, moderator Julia Westlake (53) and ESC legend Peter Urban (77) told anecdotes from Tiedemann in a long speech. He was “one of the best, if not the best,” said Westlake – even if the deceased was obviously a terrible passenger. Carlo von Tiedemann loved his job, but also the silence and “his family was his strength”. He has accompanied her on radio and television since childhood: “You really can’t want a better companion in this media madness.” And she never only “met a person who didn’t like Carlo”.

“We experienced so many great times together,” Urban recalled an ever -reliable friend. “Carlo loved his audience, but also the people he worked with. And they loved him,” said the former ESC commentator. “He was an original, a unique of unchecked philanthropy.” His colleague and friend was “the most popular voice in the north”, “there was nothing comparable throughout Germany”.

Singer Mary Roos (76) also spoke towards the end of the funeral service. “Carlo was always good when he had to do with people,” she recalled – and he treated everyone straight away, “no matter whether prominent or not”. Carlo von Tiedemann “never bent, and that was a good thing”. In the industry, she hardly knows any people who are as inferior as he was.

The guests of the funeral service, including TV chef Tim Mälzer (54) or moderator Bettina Tietjen (65), received the long-time HSV Stadium hymn “Hamburg, my pearl” by Lotto King Karl (58). Carlo von Tiedemann was also a stadium spokesman at Hamburger SV for several years.