(b. Johann Hoelzl, 19 February 1957, Austria, d. February 6, 1998, Dominican Republic)

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) —  Falco, a classical music prodigy who turned to pop music and had a 1986 hit with “Rock Me Amadeus,”  has died in a traffic accident, officials said Saturday.  He was 40.  The Austrian-born singer and songwriter, whose original name was Johann Holzel, suffered a severe head injury when his sport utility vehicle collided with a bus as he was pulling onto a highway Friday evening near the resort of Puerto Plata. He died at a Puerta Plata hospital. There were no other injuries in the crash. Police detained the bus driver, but no charges have been filed. Police said Holzel was vacationing at the resort, one of the most popular tourism destinations in this Caribbean country, especially among Europeans.  Falco was a classical music child prodigy who turned to pop music. His albums featured the synthesizer-based pop rock  that was popular in the 1980s. His hits included “Der Kommisar,” “Rock Me Amadeus,” and “Vienna Calling.” Officials at the hospital where Holzel died said his body was moved to Luis Eduardo Aybar Hospital in Santiago, about 35 miles south of Puerto Plata where an autopsy would be performed.