Jupp Schmitz, born Josef Schmitz on February 15, 1901 in Cologne, Germany, was a pianist and singer known for his contributions to pop and Schlager music. After receiving classical piano training at the Cologne Conservatory, he began playing piano in silent film cinemas and led his own orchestra before World War II. In 1935, he co-wrote "Gib acht auf Dein Herz, Margarethe" with Kurt Feltz. After the war, Schmitz's breakthrough came with "Wer soll das bezahlen?", a hit Carnival released in 1949 that addressed post-war economic issues. His other well-known songs include "Am Aschermittwoch ist alles vorbei" and "Es ist noch Suppe da". Schmitz died on March 26, 1991, in Cologne. In 1994, a memorial statue of him was unveiled at the Salomonsgasse in Cologne's Old Town.
