Heinz Winckler

Heinz Winckler
Heinz Winckler in 2007
Background information
Birth name	Heinz Carl Heinrich Winckler
Born	(1978-03-22) 22 March 1978 (age 39)
Origin	South Africa, Stellenbosch
Occupation(s)	Singer
Instruments	Singing, guitar
Years active	2002–present
Website	http://www.heinzw.co.za

Heinz Carl Heinrich Winckler (born 22 March 1978) was the winner of the first series of South African Idols and is also an actor.

Born the eldest of three children in Stellenbosch, South Africa, he went on to study law at Stellenbosch University. After winning the Idols competition in June 2002, he discontinued his studies to devote time to a music career.

Idols was the South African version of the British Pop Idol show, and was presented as a talent search competition with successive elimination rounds narrowing the number of contestants. Throughout the show, Winckler was referred to as "Hunky Heinz" because of his good looks.

Winckler's debut single, Once in a lifetime, went double platinum in South Africa having sold over 100000 copies. His subsequent debut album, One step closer, included this song as well as Soledad, a cover of the Westlife song which he performed during Idols, and Next stop happiness, which became a single as well.

He was nominated for two South African Music Awards, including best single for Once In A Lifetime and best pop album for One Step Closer.

In 2003, with the inaugural World Idol competition, Winckler came fourth behind Belgium's Peter Evrard (3rd), the U.S.'s Kelly Clarkson (2nd), and Norway's Kurt Nilsen (Winner).

His second album, Come Alive, was released via BMG, and features more ballads and rhythmic songs. It includes the singles Can't Lose With You and Thank You, as well as I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing. Also included are songs written by himself; Drowning Me is a track co-written by him.