Floh de Cologne (wordplay on Eau de Cologne) were a German band, active from 1966 to 1983, regarded as a pioneer of krautrock and Political Satire Music. After some success at the beginning of the 70s, the band separated finally in 1983.[1]

Floh de Cologne
Floh de Cologne in 1969
Floh de Cologne in 1969
Background information
OriginCologne, Germany
GenresKrautrock, progressive rock
Years active1966–1983
LabelsOhr
Past membersHansi Frank
Dieter Klemm
Britta Baltruschat
Markus Schmid
Gerd Wollschon
Theo König
Dick Städtler
Vridolin Enxing

History

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The group was formed in 1966 by a group of radical theatre students from the University of Cologne.[2] Their first album, Vietnam, released in 1968, is a fierce criticism of the war in Vietnam.[2] the profits made from said album was donated to a Vietnamese charity. They satirised consumer society and sought to take their message to young workers and apprentices.[3][2] Impressed by their music and especially their lyrics, Rolf-Ulrich Kaiser decided to produce their next two albums: Rockoper Profitgeier (1971) and Lucky Streik (1972).

Their musical style is considered to be krautrock.

Members

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Members of the band from 1966:

  • Gerd Wollschon (vocals/keyboards)
  • Markus Schmidt (bass guitar/violin)
  • Hans-Jorg "Hansi" Frank (drums/keyboards)
  • Britta Baltruschat (vocals)

Other members

  • Theo König (saxophone/clarinet/harmonica)
  • Dick Städtler (bass guitar/guitar)
  • Vridolin Enxing (keyboards/bass guitar/guitar/cello)

Discography

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  • Vietnam (1968)
  • Fließbandbabys Beat-Show (1970)
  • Rockoper Profitgeier (1971)
  • Lucky Streik (1973)
  • Geyer-Symphonie (1974)[4]
  • Mumien – Kantate für Rockband (1974)
  • Dieser Chilenische Sommer War Heiß (1974)
  • Tilt! (1975)
  • Rotkäppchen (1977)
  • Prima Freiheit (1978)
  • Koslowsky (1980)
  • Faaterland (1983)

Videography

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References

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  1. ^ "Floh de Cologne macht Schluß". Der Spiegel (in German). 18 April 1983. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
  2. ^ a b c Scott Brown, Timothy (2013). West Germany and the Global Sixties: The Anti-Authoritarian Revolt, 1962–1978. Cambridge University Press. p. 187-190. ISBN 9781107022553.
  3. ^ Sack, Manfred (25 December 1970). "Lieber rot als doof". Die Zeit (in German). Retrieved 5 July 2017.
  4. ^ "Politrock: Floh de Cologne beerdigt Flick". Der Spiegel (in German). 10 December 1973. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
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