Bap Biography
A German institution, the rock band Bap were formed in 1976 by the Cologne-based singer/songwriter/activist Wolfgang Niedecken. Niedecken was already well-known as Cologne's answer to Bob Dylan before he began Bap, partly because of his acoustic guitar and harmonica, but mostly because of his poignant, socially aware lyrics. Listening to the Rolling Stones and the Kinks influenced him to form a band. He named the band Bap after a nickname he took to avoid using his father's surname. Niedecken's turbulent relationship with his father lasted up until his father was on his deathbed. Their bittersweet reconciliation would become the topic of Bap's defining song, "Verdamp Lang Her," a staple of the group's live set that featured a Bruce Springsteen-styled monologue that would change a little each night. A single with 11 different versions of the song culled from live recordings over the years was released in 2005 (Springsteen and Niedecken had met in the '80s, eventually becoming good friends). In 2002 revered director Wim Wenders made Viel Passiert -- Der BAP Film, a documentary about Bap in the style of his earlier film Buena Vista Social Club. In 2006, a new Bap with Niedecken as the only original member finished their "greatest hits tour" by performing three sold-out nights in their hometown of Cologne. ~ David Jeffries, All Music Guide
Popular Biographies:
Burden of grief Biography: Known for their love of amphetamine-like intensity and high-speed bombast, Burden of Grief is a German metal band that believes in going for the jugular. Some people have characterized their...
Karate high school Biography: Like most young bands, Karate High School went through some lineup changes early on in their life, finally solidifying in July 2004 around Paul McGuire (vocals, keyboards, guitar), Gabe...
Sum 41 Biography: Sum 41 hit worldwide radar in 1996 after tiny Ajax, Ontario, proved unable to fully contain the foursome's blathering mixture of punk-pop riffing, hip-hop poses, and toilet-bowl humor. Led by...
Dj mendez Biography: Chilean-born Leopoldo Méndez moved to Stockholm, Sweden, in 1986. He was raised in a modest family struggling to achieve a better future, sometimes getting in trouble while walking around...
Trembling blue stars Biography: Named in honor of a passage from Pauline Reage's infamous novel The Story of O, the melancholy Trembling Blue Stars heralded the return of singer/songwriter Robert Wratten, best known as the frontman...
Musica antiqua Biography: The Musica Antigua ensemble carries on in the tradition of Atrium Musicae de Madrid, and has a direct link to that ensemble in more ways than just aesthetics. Founder Eduardo Paniagua was member of...
Dido Biography: Electronic pop chanteuse Dido entered London's Guildhall School of Music at age six, and by the time she reached her teens had already mastered piano, violin, and recorder. After touring with a...
Hole Biography: Throughout Hole's career, vocalist/guitarist Courtney Love's notorious public image has overshadowed her band's music. In their original incarnation, Hole was one of the noisiest, most abrasive...