Franz was not only a soccer legend, but also one of Germany's most famous advertising icons. With charm and lightness, he shaped unforgettable campaigns and became the face of major brands.
His collaboration with E-Plus and later with O2 is particularly legendary, when he asked the unforgettable question on TV: “Yes, is it Christmas today? ”. A saying that is still often quoted today and has long since become part of popular culture. Whether in a suit, in a tracksuit or with a wink in everyday situations: Franz always embodied seriousness and humor in a rare combination. Brands such as Adidas, Erdinger and Mercedes-Benz relied on its appeal. Wherever the emperor appeared, attention was guaranteed.
But his forays into the world of entertainment were not limited to advertising. In the 1960s and 70s, he also ventured into music. Franz did well in school as a child, but in music lessons he usually got a four. His former music teacher once described him as completely unmusical. The fact that he later ventured into the music business was therefore rather surprising.
After a Bundesliga game in Cologne, Franz went to the music label Polydor and recorded his first record there. His single “Gute Freunde kann niemand trennen” became a hit in 1966 and is still an catchy song today, which is particularly popular in the Südkurve of the Allianz Arena. The track made it to number 31 in the charts. Other songs such as “1:0 für deine Liebe” or “Du allein” consolidated its status as a phenomenon. Of course, he wasn't a world-class singer, but that was exactly the appeal: The Kaiser sang as he played: light-footed, with charm and a smile.
His commercials and songs shaped part of German cultural history. They show a man who radiated beyond soccer and achieved the feat of being both an athlete and a pop and cultural icon.
