Helen Schneider

Helen Schneider, born on December 23, 1952, in Brooklyn, New York City, is a renowned American singer and actress who has made a significant impact primarily in Germany. The daughter of Dvora and Abraham Schneider, she developed her musical talents early on, studying piano before launching her own blues band and performing across New England and New York.

Schneider's diverse career spans music, theater, recording, literature, and film. From 1978 to 1984, she experienced notable success as a rock singer in Germany, with her hit "Rock 'n' Roll Gypsy" breaking into the top 10 charts. Her accomplishments earned her a Gold Record Award and the prestigious Goldene Europa Award, shared with John Lennon. In 1980, she embarked on a tour with the iconic German rock musician Udo Lindenberg, and in 1983, she starred in the cult classic film Eddie and the Cruisers, gaining significant recognition, particularly in Germany.

Her theatrical journey began in 1987 at the Theater des Westens in Berlin, where she portrayed Sally Bowles in Cabaret. Schneider continued to captivate audiences as Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard from 1995 to 1998, and as Eva Perón in Evita from 1999 to 2001. In 2014, her portrayal of Judy Garland in End of the Rainbow garnered widespread acclaim. Schneider's one-woman shows, including A Walk on the Weill Side, have also been met with enthusiasm.

After a hiatus, she returned to music in 2007, releasing three albums with Edel Music, including the award-winning "Dream a Little Dream." In 2015, she partnered with SPV for her first original album in three decades, "Collective Memory." Following that, she released "Movin' On" in 2017. In 2018, Schneider joined the faculty at Stage School Hamburg, sharing her expertise in song interpretation.