Das Dritte Ohr

Das Dritte Ohr, whose English name translates as The Third Ear, blended German lyrics with arrangements rooted in delta blues, boogie woogie, and electric urban blues, thereby exposing German listeners to American blues. More than thirty years after assembling, the ensemble still ranks among the most influential acts in Germany.

The first German blues group to appear on American stages, Das Dritte Ohr played multiple shows in Chicago in 1991 and has kept delivering its Germanic blues to listeners worldwide, asserting a total of more than three thousand concerts throughout Europe, Central America, and the United States.

Formed in 1968, Das Dritte Ohr united drummer Ferdi Peters, guitarist and vocalist Tom Schrader, and vocalist and harmonica player Udo Wolff, each of whom had previously toured with Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf. Bassist Manfred Miller joined the lineup shortly after the band's launch.

Das Dritte Ohr recorded its debut album, Zahltag, also known as Pay Day, in 1981 and earned a prestigious German critics prize for the release. The band later issued four further albums: Himmel Oder Holle, Schwarz Auf Weiss, Das Elfte Gebot, and Negerkusse.

Wolff and Schrader wrote the majority of the group's repertoire, reportedly collaborating on more than one hundred fifty songs.