Das Dritte Ohr

Setting German lyrics to a mixture of delta blues, boogie woogie and electric urban blues arrangements, Das Dritte Ohr (translated: The Third Ear) helped to introduce German audiences to American blues. More than three decades after they first came together, the group remains one of the most influential bands in Germany.

The first German blues band to perform in the United States, Das Dritte Ohr performed several shows in Chicago in 1991. The band has continued to bring their Germanic blues to audiences around the globe. They claim to have performed more than three thousand concerts in Europe, Central America and the United States.

Formed in 1968, Das Dritte Ohr brought together three musicians — drummer Ferdi Peters, guitarist/vocalist Tom Schrader and vocalist/harmonica player Udo Wolff — who had previously toured with Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf. Bass player Manfred Miller joined shortly after the band's inception.

Recording their debut album, Zahltag (Pay Day), in 1981, Das Dritte Ohr received a prestigious German critics prize. The band has subsequently released four additional albums — Himmel Oder Holle, Schwarz Auf Weiss, Das Elfte Gebot and Negerkusse.

Much of Das Dritte Ohr's repertoire was written by Wolff and Schrader, who reportedly have collaborated on more than one hundred and fifty tunes.