Udo Lindenberg (76) was not born in Hamburg, but the citizens of the Hanseatic city voted with a large majority on September 7th for the cult rocker to be made an honorary citizen. "He is an ambassador for tolerance, peace and freedom. In other words: Udo Lindenberg is a Hanseatic citizen, not by birth, but by conviction," said Hamburg Mayor Peter Tschentscher (56) according to a press release.

Tschentscher also wrote on Twitter that the panic rocker was "one of the most important musicians of our time". "He is the founding father of German-speaking rock music and wrote music history from Hamburg. With his personality and his music he has shaped entire generations."

Both the musical merits of the rocker and his socio-political commitment, including his commitment against right-wing extremism, are recognized. Tschentscher also presented Lindenberg with the certificate of honorary citizenship. Hamburg's highest award for the musician was celebrated at a ceremony in the evening.

"When I came to Hamburg for the very first time, I knew right away that I belonged here," Lindenberg is quoted as saying in the statement. "Hamburg was everything I was always looking for, cosmopolitanism and plenty of correct rock 'n' roll. My personal Eldorado." The fact that the "brightly colorful city of music and culture" made him its "honorary panicky" was "an absolute hammer and a huge honor" for him.

The 76-year-old is one of only 37 honorary sponsors - and after Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) only the second from the musical field. The illustrious circle also includes other great personalities such as the recently deceased football legend Uwe Seeler (1936-2022), former Chancellor Helmut Schmidt (1918-2015) and his wife Loki Schmidt (1919-2010).