Origin Cologne, Germany (1970) | ||
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Albums Kölsche Weihnacht, Alles für die Liebe Record labels EMI, Polydor Records, Pavement Records Members Tommy Engel, Kafi Biermann, Peter Schütten, Erry Stoklosa, Hartmut Priess Profiles | ||
Bl ck f ss ich ben e k lschjlas
The Bläck Fööss are a music group from Cologne, Germany, started in 1970.
Contents
Bl ck f ss im millowitsch theater 1993
Name of the band
The band's name in Kölsch, a local dialect of Ripuarian, in which the group predominantly sings, means barefoot. It is pronounced [də̆ ˈbɭæk ˌføːs]. In their early days the group would perform barefoot, which was later given up mainly after several injuries from remains of broken glass on stages.
Repertoire
The band's style of music is a cross between Schlager and pop, but they also perform songs with jazz, blues, rock and reggae styles. The group is famous for its lead singer's a cappella singing. Many of the band's songs are popular carnival songs, while others are covers of bands such as Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Beatles, Hollies or Willi Ostermann.
In August 1985 the band got their biggest chart success, with the song "Frankreich, Frankreich" (France, France) landing in at number 9 in the German charts.
Band members
In their 4 decades together, the Bläck Fööss have only had a few changes in membership. Willy Schnitzler and Rolf Lammers have both played keyboard; in 1994, the band had its biggest split, with frontman Tommy Engel leaving for a solo career after so-called creative differences.
Willy Schnitzler left the band in 2005 after arthritis of the hand rendered him unable to play. He was succeeded by Andreas Wegener.
Literature
Songs
Du K-BF 33 · 2002
Niemals geht man so ganz30 Jahre Bläck Fööss · 2000
Drink doch eine metOp bläcke Fööss noh Kölle · 1974