...a still living german rock music legend and icon of Hamburg

During Lindenberg’s childhood he developed a feel for rhythm. Taking every opportunity to drum, Lindenberg used petrol cans in lieu of a drum kit. Later he obtained his first real drum kit and in 1962 he began a period of journeying in order to learn his craft. His wandering took him to North Germany and Gunter Hampel after which he travelled to France, Tripoli and onwards to the Music Academy at Münster. 1968 found Lindenberg in Hamburg where he decided against a career at sea and joined a troop of folk musicians. In 1969 he was the drummer for City Preachers, Germany’s first folk-rock-band.

Udo Lindenberg is a political and religious person. He professes social democratic beliefs and appeared at the birthday party of former German Federal Chancellor Gerhard Schröder. Lindenberg has engaged in activism including the raising of funds for aid to Africa and the writing of a song against the Berlin Wall. In 2000 he founded the project, Rock against right wing violence.

Lindenberg has worked collaboratively with various local and international artists (Eric Burdon, Helen Schneider, David Bowie and Gianna Nannini) on a number of projects. He currently lives in Hamburg in the Hotel Atlantic (for several years now). His raw voice is the result of too much alcohol and cigarettes. In 1989 he survived a heart attack.

(extract from Wikipedia)